This story follows A Smashing Good Time, and is a sequel to Cupid Mark Crusaders.
Luna’s nights are long, indeed. Far longer than anypony would ever believe. Such a burden would wear anyone down.
But recently, Luna has gotten a marefriend.
Said marefriend is a lucid dreamer, and has made it clear that Luna is always welcome when she dreams. As a result, Luna’s burden has become just a little lighter.
One night, Luna stops by at the end of her rounds and finds that Sunrise has a surprise waiting for her.
(Content note: I debated long and hard about whether to mark this as ‘Dark.’ I don’t consider it such, really, but have included the marker as a courtesy to those looking purely for fluff.)
(This timeline continues with Reunions and Laments.)
Part of the Sunset Rising continuity.
Oh, Sunny-bun...
So, Luna's got depression?
Heh. For quite some time, I thought Sunrise had assumed human form and was introducing Luna to the wonders of a masseuse with fingers. Presumably luckd dreaming includes controlling one's body. Though that body has some nasty memories associated with it.
"Like ending up on a shore full of decrepit skyscrapers and Yakuza?"
"Is such a common occurrence in thy world, love?"
"Thankfully not."
Ouch. That ending. Hopefully Sunrise returns the favor and opens up about her own issues before they consume her. The problem with being a lucid dreamer is that she can hide those worries even from Luna. In any case, on to the next installment in this timeline.
9638483
Yes. And, as she also predates any study of psychology on her world, she has spent her life assuming it was just her.
9639013
Well that's...depressing.
9639030
Well, yeah, I would have to agree,
I tend to think that one of the greatest pains within Luna’s heart before her exile was a profound feeling of isolation. And I think it came from many sources. Though things do look like they’re getting better.
Seriously, this is something about Luna I have been waiting to touch on again since Exiles... especially the part where she has someone she can talk to about it besides Celestia.
Man, but it’s nice to finally be able to finish and post this stuff!
9638486
No, as she has become more pony, so has her self-image. She is quite happy to be all pony, all the time. Though it is worth noting that your observation regarding her being quite happy to leave her human form and the painful memories it is associated with behind is also quite correct.
(Although, admittedly, there are times that she misses having opposable digits just a bit...)
That... sounds like an anime I may need to check out.
Indeed. Alas, sometimes it can be far easier to offer aid than to ask for it, even from those we love. We shall see what unfolds over time.
9642068
It's actually the movie Inception. I swear I'm the only person on Earth who actually followed the plot...
9642168
I know nothing about the movie aside from this conversation, so... you may well be right.
Oh yeah, I can definitely see why this has the dark tag now. At first I thought that Sunset/Sunrise wouldn’t be in it since she isn’t tagged, so I was actually surprised to see her in this.
10577479
After careful consideration, I decided that Sunrise had deviated enough from revealed Sunset canon that I would classify her as an OC. Sorry about the confusion!
10577858
Admittedly it would make it fairly confusing to add this to groups focused on Sunset without her tag. I usually find that the alternate universe tag covers these kinds of stories and divergent characters pretty easily, since it would still let Sunset be a searchable character.
10577962
Hmmm. Good point. I think I may alter the tags on these tales.
10578368
Good luck!
Saw in your timeline that there is/was a story about OUR TOWN and I was just curious if that is still a thing.
As to this story...I sometimes suspect I might have a mild form of depression, nothing quite as serious as Luna's or Sunrise, but betwixt procrastination and the occasional sleepless night in which I deal with a brain that seemingly wants to focus on the bad things I've done in the past or the bad what-ifs of the future. Many good wishes to the both of them for strength and healing.
11541899
It's still a thing. Due to health issues over the last few years my productivity hasn't been what I would like. But I know what happens in it, and why. It's just a matter of writing it out.