Not long after Prince Dusk Shine and his number one assistant moved into their new home, Prince Solaris accidentally sent several letters in which he came to burn them before Dusk could read them. However, Spines was able to save a few.
Warning: The following story contains a rule 63 or gender-swap of Twilight and Celestia, which means this story will be a m/m romance. So if you don't like that sort of thing, you know where the exit button is.
Not long after moving into his new home, Prince Dusk Shine gets an unexpected visit from Prince Solaris who seemed to be a bit out of character. Not only that, but the hundreds of letters the Sun Prince accidentally sent, he had them burned immediately.
However, thanks to Dusk's number one dragoness, a few of these letters escaped the inferno.
So what was in these letters that mad Solaris wanted to burn them before Dusk reads them?
A huge thank you to his Highness, PrinceCelestia for the cover art. As well as Shadeol for volunteering to proofread this.
“Philharmonic!” the Sun Prince shouted as the phoenix flew out of his room with a scroll in his beak. “You come back here!”
The bird, on the other hoof, ignored his master as he flew down the hallways with the alicorn in pursuit. Looking behind, the fire avian saw Solaris also taking flight, but since his master just woke up and had barely lifted the sun, he hadn’t had much time to get ready for the day.
“Duck!” he heard one of the servants shout as they zipped by. As they rounded the corner, Philharmonic saw some of the palace staff trying to get out of their way.
“Give me back that letter!”
Ignoring the voice, Philharmonic kept flapping his wings as fast as he could. After all, to the bird, what he was doing was justice for his master being a little too inconsiderate this morning. Solaris knew perfectly well that he hated being woken up with sunlight mercilessly illuminating his cage, and that he should have put the cover on before he went to bed! But no! He had to wake him at the crack of dawn so that he wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep.
“Come back!”
Besides, that letter was out in the open since last night, the one of many that his Master had taken up in these past several years. Whatever was written on this scroll must be either important or embarrassing. Hopefully, the latter, considering where he was going.
“Philharmonic!” The bird felt something pulling on his tail feathers and knew what it was; Solaris was trying to slow him down. Using his wings to try to flap faster, he clenched his jaw as he felt some of the feathers being pulled. The pain grew until a few of them ripped off, sending him hurtling down the hall and into the Castle’s library.
“Oh no!” the white stallion quickly flew into the library, briefly scanning where his pet had gone to. He heard a “click,” and turned to the tapestry of the wise Star Swirled the Sorcerous. To his horror, the fabric moved.
Illuminating his horn, he moved the tapestry aside to find the door to the vault open, and the firebird descending the dark, stone steps.
“Phili! Stop!” Solaris cried out as he galloped down the stars, now having a good idea where his pet was headed towards. “What are you doing!?”
By the time he got to the bottom of the steps, he heard something heavy fall to the floor. He quickly located the source of the noise. A heavy padlock, once attached to the door, lay melted on the ground beside the glowing orange-and-red phoenix that seemed to make the room hotter. With the lockout of the way, the phoenix burst through the door and into one of the special vaults.
Quickly making his way into the chamber, the Prince of the Sun found his pet in the heart of the room. This particular vault housed hundreds of scrolls; each shelved by month and organized by year. Solaris’s pet hovered in the center with his wings aglow, he quickly realized what the Phoenix was about to do.
“Philharmonic, listen to me,” the Prince said with caution. “Whatever reason you’re doing this, I’m begging you, don’t do it. Don’t send any of these. Dusk isn’t ready to read any of them yet. I… I know you’re a bit grumpy from waking up this morning, but is that any reason to do any of this?”
“Squawk!” his pet replied in an annoyed tone.
“Look, I am sorry about not putting that cover on last night,” Solaris said as he took a few steps forward. “I promise that it won’t happen again.”
“Bo-awlk!”
“That was only one time, how was I supposed to know that you ate too much ghost peppers all those years ago?”
His pet shook his head in anger, and let out a series of high pitched squawks and chirps in rapid succession.
“Calm down Phili. You can be angry at me all you want, just not in here.”
Reaching the boiling point of the firebird’s rage, his wings were ablaze and flew around the room, causing the scrolls to suddenly caught fire.
“NO!” Solaris screamed as he saw the scrolls quickly combusted and the smoke turned green, heading up the stairs and straight to Ponyvillie. He tried to save as many scrolls as he could before they too were sent, but the fire was spreading rapidly, and his Phoenix set fire to even more scrolls to be sent through a certain dragoness.
It became evident for the Prince that he was fighting against a losing battle against the Firebird. All those letters were suddenly flying away to the one pony in the world that he didn’t want him to read.
Panicking, the first thing that came to his mind was to fly to Ponyville as quickly as possible. Galloping up the tight staircase and bursting through the priceless tapestry, Solaris dashed out of the nearest window and headed his way towards the town near the Everfree Forest.
_*_
“There we go,” the little dragoness sighed as the last of the crepes were put on a plate. Spines looked out of the open window at the sunrise that was now soaking the kitchen in its light. Waking up to the late spring sun was her favorite time of the year. It was just warm enough to where she could open the window, looking out at the sun while the grass and trees still had their morning dew.
Even as she put the crepes on a tray along with the jams, peanut butter, a small bowl of powder sugar, and a glass of cranberry juice, she still took a moment in the morning stillness to appreciate it before tackling whatever the day had planned for her and Dusk.
“Okay,” she told herself, “out the door, go left, and down four doors. Enter the fifth, up the stairs to go right, keep walking until you get past the living room, and across from it is Dusk’s room.”
While wishing that this new home wasn’t so complicated, she made her way through the crystallized palace. Her steps echoed in a nearly empty home – that was until she got as far as the staircase that she burped out a letter. Putting down the tray, she was about to go after the scroll that was falling down the stairs until she felt her stomach ache.
Clenching her scaly belly, feeling as if she just got kicked in the stomach, she could quickly guess that something big was coming. The spines tried to relax as she let out whatever was coming out of her.
The next thing she knew, she gave the loudest burp she’d ever had. All she could see was her green fire and what seemed like hundreds of scrolls falling down the stairs. Letters came out in waves until she was able to catch her breath before coughing.
“Spines,” she heard Dusk’s voice called out to her. “Are you alright?”
The dragoness was about to say something, only to cough again. She could hear hoofsteps coming towards her.
“What the…” she turned to find the lilac alicorn coming down the stairs. “You okay there?”
“Give me a sec,” Spines said in a hoarse voice. “Solaris that was way too much.”
Dusk Shine looked at the scrolls that had fallen and piled up at the bottom of the stairs. “What in the hay is all this?”
“How should I know? I’ve never had this many letters come through in one go before.”
The alicorn took one of the letters one of the scrolls and opened it up, “It looks like one of Solaris’s letters. But why would he send all of these?”
“I wish he’d warned me first,” Spines commented. “That really took a lot out of me.”
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Dusk asked, turning to his faithful assistant.
“I’ll be fine,” she said, picking up the tray. “I was gonna bring ya this.”
“Oh, thanks Spines,” he told her as he sat down on the steps, putting the tray between them. “Crepes this morning?”
“Well, why not?” Spines shrugged, “I wanted to do something different and I found the recipe from Elusive. Turns out, making these things was much easier than I thought.” She, like Dusk, started to grab their plates and a few of the crepes to put in the fillings they had wanted. “So, what’s the plan today?”
Dusk looked back to the mess of messages on the floor, “For one thing, I don’t think I’ll get through reading all of this now. I promised Butterscotch that I would be over for brunch today.”
“Wait,” the dragoness suddenly realized something, “Are you sure it was brunch?”
“Huh?”
“O-Oh… That’s right I… I think I forgot,” she said, her cheeks turning pink.
“Forgot what?”
“Today’s a Thursday, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, and?”
“Oh crud, now I remember! You’re supposed to be over for breakfast, not brunch!”
“What?!” Dusk exclaimed, “What time is it?”
“It’s still early,” Spines pointed out, “If you go now, you’ll be over on time.”
“Thanks, Spines,” he said as he started to fly out the front door, but not without taking a few crepes with him.
“So what do I do with all this?” she called to him.
“Organize them in the library, I’ll read them later tonight.” And with that, Prince Dusk Shine opened and closed the door behind him, leaving the dragoness behind.
“Figures,” Spines sighed, taking a rolled up crepe in one claw and a letter in another. She unrolled the letter and started to read. “Guess I should take a look what Solaris wants this time.” But as she kept reading, she dropped her breakfast. “What the…”
_*_
Meanwhile, Solaris was still flying solo as fast as his large wings could carry him. In his mind, the Prince was still in a panic. ‘Maybe he hasn’t read any of them. Perhaps Spines wasn’t in the same room when all those letters were sent. The poor girl, she probably received some stomach pains after that.
‘Maybe Dusk isn’t at his castle at all; he’s probably sleeping at one of his friends’ homes. If that were the case, I could get Spines and have her hoof over the letters. And if she’s read any, I’ll just swear her into secrecy.’
Solaris flew under a cloud when another thought struck him. ‘But what if Dusk has read them already? What if he’s horrified? Would he think I’ve just betrayed his trust in me? Come on Solaris, keep it together! This is Dusk Shine for crying out loud! You’ve sent him on dangerous missions without question before. Besides, he and his friends had to deal with Eris, so this may not be the first weird thing he’s had to deal with.’
Feeling exhausted for a moment, he let his wings glide through the air, ‘Okay, all you need to do is to get close enough range to teleport to his castle. After all, you still need some of your magic today. Just a few more miles until then, and hope that Dusk hasn’t read them yet… I certainly hope he hasn’t read them now.’
_*_
“Wow, that much?” Butterscotch asked in concern.
Gulping some of the orange juice, Dusk nodded, “Uh-huh. It happened on the staircase. I found her clenching her stomach with all those scrolls tumbling down the stairs.”
“Has that ever happened before?” the yellow Pegasus asked, adding, “If you don’t mind of me asking that is.”
“Actually, the only time that Solaris had sent multiple letters was when Eris got out the first time. But I think he did that by sending one letter at a time. Here, however, it was hundreds at once! What would he send all of that for?”
“You mean you haven’t taken a look at what they were?”
Dusk shook his head, “I was about to until Spines reminded what day it was and I scheduled to have breakfast with you.”
“Oh,” Butterscotch took a bite of his toast, “Do you think all of those letters might be important?”
“Probably, but the quantity has really boggled me. How does he expect me to read all of that anyway?”
“Maybe you should have Spines send him a letter,” Dusk’s friend suggested. “After all, perhaps there must have been a mistake. And if it isn’t, well, maybe ask him when he expects you to read all of them.”
“Yeah, I should do that by the time I get home,” the Prince of Friendship agreed while scooping up the last remaining eggs on his plate. “A change in subject, how’s it been going with you this morning?”
“Oh, fine as usual,” Butterscotch said, finishing his piece of toast. “I’ve made sure everyone was fed before you arrived. Angela is still asleep, probably didn’t go to bed when I told her to. Sometimes I wonder what that bunny is doing when my back is turned.
“Other than that, I made a bit of an appointment with the raccoons after breakfast. I promised to help them sort out a dispute between them and the woodpeckers.”
“I see,” Dusk said, after swallowing his eggs.
“Out of curiosity,” his friend spoke up, “Did you by chance finish reading my copy of the history of Yakyakistan I’ve given you?”
“Oh! I forgot,” the alicorn facehoofed, “Don’t worry, I’m near to the end of it anyway. I’ll tell you what, after breakfast, I’ll go home to finish reading it, and once I’m done I’ll send it back to you.”
“Okay,” the Pegasus said softly, “You can always take your time; I don’t need it at the moment.”
“Now where was I?” Prince Dusk Shine muttered as he returned to the history book he was reading. Opening up to where his bookmark was, he found his spot and sat down on his violet pillow in the throne room before reading again.
Even as a Prince taking up a new residence at his new crystal palace in the center of Ponyville, Dusk wasn’t ready to call this place home yet. If anything, the castle still felt cold. He felt out of place, like a guest in someone else’s home.
However, according to the Prince of Friendship’s philosophy, as long as you have a good book to read, (especially when that said book is borrowed from one of your friends,) you wouldn’t mind where in the world you are. That, and maybe being around with a friend or two tends to help bri-
Dusk quickly looked up as there was a sudden bright flash in the room, making him jump up. He wasn’t expecting anyone today.
“Dusk?”
The purple alicorn blinked, “Prince Solaris?” It was indeed his old mentor and fellow Prince. But the longer that he looked at him, the more he realized something was completely off. For one, the white alicorn looked frazzled; his fire-like mane and beard weren’t groomed, even his wings had crooked feathers. His eyes darted all over as if he was looking for something, breathing heavily as he'd gotten back from running a marathon. And the most noticeable thing of all, he didn’t have on his crown, breastplate, or even his golden boots. If Dusk didn’t know better, he’d say that he came here in a hurry.
“Huh?” Solaris snapped his attention to him, “Oh. U-Uh… G-Good morning Dusk Sh-Shine!”
The lilac alicorn shook his head in disbelief. Maybe the crystal castle was playing tricks on his hearing, but for a moment there, it sounded like the Prince of the Sun was stuttering. “Good morning to you too, Prince Solaris. Is everything alright?”
He found himself being picked up in Solaris’s golden aura as he came face to face with his former mentor. “Dusk, d-did you by any chance receive, uh… any letters recently?”
“Well… Spines belched out a huge pile of letters from you from earlier. I wasn’t able to read them since I was running late for Butterscotch’s breakfast, so I figured I would read them later.”
“But you didn’t read any of them, did you?” Solaris questioned, Dusk noted that there was a trail of sweat running down from his forehead.
“No,” Dusk answered, “I didn’t get the chance to yet.”
“So there’s still time,” Solaris whispered.
“What?”
“Where are the letters now?” the Solar Prince demanded.
“They’re in the library,” Dusk said feeling intimidated. “I had Spines organize them since there were so many of them.”
The next thing he knew, Solaris dropped him and quickly teleported out of the room. Immediately, the young Prince was wondering what was going on. In all the years he’d known Solaris, he’d never acted like this before. He never saw him nervous, nor heard him stutter.
'What's going on?' he thought.
Dusk teleported himself to the castle’s library in time to see Solaris taking up every scroll he could find. Even taking some out of his assistant's arms, and quickly place them under a dome of his golden magic before they suddenly burst to flames.
“Solaris! What are you doing?!”
The elder Prince ignored his former student’s question as he watched hundreds of scrolls being incinerated in a matter of seconds. Once the letters were nothing but hills of ash, and with a relieved sigh, Solaris made the destroyed letters disappear from the library.
Dusk glanced over to his little assistant; he found that she was stunned as was.
“Well,” Solaris nodded in satisfaction, “that’s taken care of.”
“Solaris, what was all that about?!” Prince Shine asked. “Why did you just burn your own letters?”
“I’m afraid that my pet had accidentally sent something that wasn’t meant for you.”
“Oh," the lilac alicorn blinked, "well I could have sent them back to you if I found-”
“NO!” Dusk jumped when Solaris snapped at him. Taking a moment to breathe, he corrected, “I mean, no thank you. Those letters were not meant for you to see. I apologize for suddenly barging in all unannounced, but I was having some problems with Philharmonic when he sent those letters.” He turned over to the little dragoness, “Spines, I think I owe you an apology for the massive mail that was suddenly dropped on you.”
“It’s alright,” Spines waved a claw, “It was just surprised that I was able to do that, despite the stomach pains.”
“Once again, I apologize,” the Sun Prince turned his attention back to his former student. “I hope that I didn’t disrupt your morning too much, did I?”
“Prince Solaris, why were you acting so nervous back there?” This caused the white alicorn to stiffen, “I mean, that’s got to be the first time I’ve ever seen you like this. Is something wrong?”
“Oh, um…” Solaris looked around before saying, “Wellwouldyoulookatthat, Ineedtogobye!”
With a brilliant flash in the library, Solaris was gone.
“What the living Tartarus was that all about?” Dusk asked aloud, walking over to the spot where all those letters were. “Was he hiding something from me?”
“Well… since he’s gone,” Spines said cautiously, “I think he really did have something to hide.”
“Huh? How do you know?”
“You asked me to organize those letters, remember?” she deadpanned. “So naturally I got a look at what some of them said.”
“Really?” the stallion asked, trotting over to his assistant. “What did they say?”
Here, Dusk saw his number one dragon blushing, “W-well… It’s kinda hard to explain. So, when I saw what they said, and how all of them were in Solaris’s writing but none of them were signed, I already guessed he sent them by mistake. But at the same time, they were something that I thought you should really see, so I picked some of them at random and put them in your room.”
“You mean there’s still some of those letters here?”
“Yeah, and I figured that Solaris would come back to get them. Only... not the way I thought he would do it.”
This presented an excellent opportunity.
“Thanks a lot, Spines. Maybe I can get to the bottom of why Solaris has been acting so out of character.”
“So wait, you’re going to read them now?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”
Spines hesitated for a moment, “Okay then, if you’re going to do that, can I at least head over to Elusive’s to see if he needs anything?”
“Have you finished all your chores?” Dusk asked.
“As of now, pretty much.”
“Go ahead then.” After thanking him, the dragoness ran for the front door. “But remember to come back again; I’ll need you by the afternoon!”
“Okay.” And with that, Dusk heard the echo of his new front door.
Sighing, the Prince of Friendship made his way upward to his bedroom. Upwinding staircases and through endless hallways, with his hoofsteps echoing like a drumbeat, he arrived at the door that bared his cutie mark.
Just as expected, he saw upon his desk a small pile of the scrolls from earlier.
Taking a random scroll with his magic, Dusk sat down on his bed. He levitated the scroll before him but paused. Should he really be reading these? After all, maybe there’s a good reason why Solaris didn’t want him to read them. Perhaps they’re private. Something embarrassing that he didn’t want anypony to know.
But on the other hoof, even when Eris broke out of her prison or when the changelings invaded during his older sister’s wedding, Solaris never showed any signs of nervousness. And that was the scary part. If those times of crisis never made him act as timid as Butterscotch, what kind of horrors does this one scroll contain?
The Prince of Friendship shook his head, “Nonsense,” he muttered to himself. “Whatever these are, I bet it isn’t anything that I couldn’t handle, considering the guys have to worry about Barry on a daily basis.”
He looked at the scroll, noticing that there was something else that was off. Even though this was Solaris’s scroll, it lacked the red ribbon and Royal Seal. Perhaps these really are private letters, but Dusk's curiosity in what even one of them might say tempted him to read them.
So, not wasting any more time, he unrolled the scroll before him and began to read.
My Dearest Dusk…
"Dearest?" Right off the bat, the young Prince realized that this was odd. In all the years that he and Solaris had shared letters, never once has his mentor referred to him as “dearest.”
"Maybe these are rough drafts,” Dusk rationalized as he continued reading.
My Dearest Dusk,
Only a few words today. Forgive me for not setting the time to write more than I attended to, but lately with preparations of the Gala, it leaves me very little time to write to you.
To be honest, I rather hate this bore of a party that the nobles force me to attend every year. All I do is shake hooves with those who probably will have a little more fun than I ever would. I confess I’m not really looking forward to this night. Knowing my luck, I predict that it’s going to be another bore because I’m just going to stand there on the top of the stairs, saying ‘Hello’ to thousands of guests, shaking their hooves, and repeating until dawn.
“Oh, this might be before the whole Grand Galloping Gala fiasco,” Dusk realized as he read on.
I would have said that if it wasn’t for the fact that you’re coming tonight with your friends. Perhaps, as I write this, all of you are coming to the Palace in your finest clothes that Elusive had made for all of you. I can see you now, looking at your reflection to make sure that everything about you is just so to see me again.
Dusk, even if you came to the Gala in rags, I would be overjoyed in seeing you again. It’s been a little too long, hasn’t it? When was the last time I’ve seen that smile? Do you remember the last time that you were as excited to see me now as I am anticipating seeing you?
There’s the call to ready myself. I hope I get to see you soon, my love…
Dusk blinked, did he read that right? After rubbing his eyes, he scanned the paragraph again, and sure enough, his eyes didn’t deceive him. “What kind of letter is this?” he asked out loud.
There’s the call to ready myself. I hope I get to see you soon, my love. I honestly can’t wait to see you come in to call my name. Although I don’t think tonight would be any different, with you by my side, however, I think you alone would make this night bearable.
I hope we get the chance to talk about something. Anything at all just to pass the Gala away, just to listen to what you’ve learned or read recently. I hope you would find something funny about tonight because to hear that laugh of yours is a masterpiece that no genius composer could ever capture. But above all, I hope for you to be my island in a sea of strangers.
It looks like I have to go now. I’ll see you soon.
Forever yours,
Forever mine,
Forever us,
As Spines said, it was unsigned, Dusk Shine couldn’t help but gawk at what he just read. He scanned it over multiple times to see if there was any sign of sarcasm in it. But he concluded that this letter was genuine.
A love letter. Prince Solaris had written a love letter to him!
Dusk Shine’s mind was racing, ‘Am I interpreting this wrong?’ he questioned himself. ‘Did Solaris’s letter just tell me that… he’s in love with me?! How? When? Why? And more importantly, what does this all mean? Since when did I all of a sudden just become his special somepony?’
He paused, remembering the breathing technique he learned from Prince Crescendo. He breathed for a bit until he’d calmed himself down a bit.
“Don’t overreact Dusk,” he told himself as he took hold of the next letter on the desk. “I’m pretty sure that there’s a reasonable explanation that your former mentor is saying this. Perhaps, he meant it as a friend. Yes, that’s what it’s gotta be! It was just him expressing his view of our friendship.”
The young alicorn Prince unrolled the next scroll.
It read:
My dearest Dusk Shine,
I don't believe there's a word to describe how frustrated I am with you today!
He blinked, “W-What? Frustrated? With me? Since when did I ever get him upset?”
Now, don’t misunderstand me, this doesn’t mean that I hate you now. On the contrary, I can never hate you. However, after this Hearts and Hooves day, I can sincerely say that I am quite irritated with you.
‘What did I do?’ Dusk thought nervously as he read on.
When we had our lesson this afternoon, I would have expected that at your age, you would have taken interest in somepony. I mean, for someone who’s nineteen, I would have thought that you might have taken in some kind of romantic interest in someone by now.
I even asked you what you were doing for this Heart and Hooves day, and you replied, “Why would I be doing anything today?”
When I said that you might have a date with somepony, you looked at me with those amethyst eyes and told me, “Prince Solaris, look at me in the eye and tell me honestly: who in their right mind would ever be crazy enough- no, mad enough- no-no, insane enough to ever want to go out with somepony like me?”
Dusk started to recall the day that Solaris was describing. He was studying on foreign magic that week and he wasn’t interested in anything else but studying back then. 'This must be before I understood what friendship was,' he thought, 'but I still don't see why he would be so upset over it.'
Don’t get me wrong, I am not angry over the fact you’ve said that. Nor could I blame you for all the work that you’ve thrown yourself into. It was how you said it that really got on my nerves. You said it as if you had given up! You told it to me, to my face, as if love will forever shun you.
Dusk, my faithful student, do you have any idea how heartbreaking it was for me to hear something like that? Could you imagine for a second what I would have thought when you said it to me in sincere hopelessness? At that moment, I thought about telling you that you were wrong! There is somepony right there in the same room that would be “crazy”, “mad”, and “insane” enough to say how much you mean to them.
But at the same time, I couldn’t. How could I do anything else but remain silent? I don’t even know how you would feel, much less think about me if I told you the truth. It’s too risky as it is to let you think I've somehow betrayed your trust in me. There’s no way I could afford losing you. And if it means that I have to just solemnly nod, just so I can be with you another day…
Oh Dusk, what do I have to do? How do I convince you that you’re not some hopeless case? How do I tell you how much I care deeply about you without causing you panic?
Then again, even if I did tell you that I do, in fact, love you-
Whatever doubt Dusk had was suddenly shattered when he read that. There was no question, “Elysium above! He really is in love with me?!” The Prince put the scroll face down, trying to comprehend at the confession he’d just read.
So Dusk did whatever he does when he finds out something that turns everything he knew upside down: he paced. And if anypony knew the Prince of Friendship well, that meant that his mind was going top speed.
“What does this mean?” the lilac alicorn asked himself. “The Prince just said that he really likes me. Really likes me. So does this mean that he’s gay? Has he been always like this? Since when has he ever taken any interest like that for me? What did I do? How come none of the history books have ever said about Solaris taking interest in stallions? I mean, the records say that he was married several times. To mares no less! Then again…” He stopped pacing, “What about the stream of divorces? Come to think of it, has he ever had a stable relationship with any of them?”
Dusk searched his library of a brain for answers. He tried to recall every spouse that Solaris ever had. He called up every biography, history, or record that he could remember about Solaris’s wives. It was also when he realized that there was a pattern. Something that he hadn’t realized until that moment. All of them had three things in common: he married for the sake of stability, there were no reports that he’d ever consummated any of the marriages, and they all ended within three weeks to six months.
“Maybe I need to do some research to back this up,” he muttered to himself. Having calmed himself down a bit, he returned to the letter and continued reading.
Then again, even if I did tell you that I do, in fact, love you, I couldn’t blame you for not being nervous around me. I confess, ever since I realized it that I had feelings for you, my mechanism of a mind comes up with thousands of scenarios of how such events would play out. Most of which end negatively.
Tell me, how might you have reacted if I said the words, “I love you, Dusk Shine?” Would you go on a research rampage to figure out if I’m really a homosexual? Would you suddenly get angry and call me things like, “You filthy, unnatural coltcuddler!” before marching out of the room to cease being my student? Or would you return such feelings? In the position that I am, I don’t dare risk it.
I wish I wasn’t such a coward to over think such things.
Dusk shook his head in surprise. Coward? Did a Prince of Equestria, the riser of the Sun, just called himself a coward?
Perhaps that’s why I love you so. Even when you don’t realize it, you have such bravery that I wish I could have. Whenever you attempt spells that despite all the dangers, risk, and even parlous task that would make any rational unicorn refuse, you performed them without question. Even when I could tell you were scared, you had the courage to dive in. Something I trust that your sister, Captain Gleaming Shield would be proud of.
It’s getting late; I think it’s about time I retire to bed. Yet I’m glad that I took the time to write this, it is such a relief to my mind. Dusk, my most faithful, when you go to sleep tonight, I want you to know that you are loved. That there is somepony out there in Canterlot that looks up at the stars that wish that love will come to you. Even if it’s not from me, I hope that whoever you choose to live your life with, that you will be happy, and that pony to treat you like a king. Who would speak with you each and every day to examine what is going on inside that beautiful mind of yours?
Good night, my beloved Dusk,
Forever yours,
Forever mine,
Forever us,
Once again, Dusk found it unsigned. He also noticed that, for some reason, his heartbeat had quickened, too.
“Hey, Dusk!” Spines called out as she entered through the castle’s front door. “I’m back! Is there anything you need to be done this afternoon?” No reply. “Dusk?” Sighing, she walked towards the library. Knowing him, he might be overworking himself on research… again.
Her educated guess was correct. She found the landscape of Dusk’s overthinking, from the hills of biographies, history books, journals, and memoirs, to the rivers of historical newspapers. “Uh… Dusk? You in here?”
The dragoness’s question was answered as the Prince popped his head over Mt. Scroll. “Spines! Just the one I needed to see!” As he flew over to her, she could plainly see that he was close to flying over the cuckoo’s nest.
“Let me guess, Solaris?”
“Yes! I’ve been going over every single thing about him that I could find.”
“So… what did you find?”
“Allow me,” his horn glowed where several books and newspapers flew over to them. “Ever since I found out that Solaris has taken an interest in me, I’ve been going over to find any strange behavior that ever has been recorded of him. For example, this journal belonged to one of Solaris’s butlers about three hundred years ago. He had served him for a solid forty years, but on the night of his retirement, he wrote, ‘His Highness was struck with a sudden depression. He begged me not to go, that if I were to retire, I should do so here in the Palace. I couldn’t help but look back and think that he seemed rather desperate to keep me just a bit longer as if he was going to say something important but couldn’t. But when I gave him my reason that I wished to spend the rest of my life with my family in Trottingham and made my leave, I could have sworn that I heard the Prince cry on the way out.’”
Dusk levitated an old newspaper in front of him, “Or this one from two-hundred-and-fifteen years ago, where the composer, Cello Strings, mysteriously committed suicide. Although he never left a note, there were rumors that he and Solaris could have been in a relationship. However, there was no evidence to back this up, except that this article said that at his funeral, Prince Solaris had wept over his coffin like how a lover would have.”
“So Dusk,” Spines interrupted his ramblings, “could you get straight to the conclusion?”
“From all my research,” he said, putting the books and papers back in their respective piles, “there’s a seventy percent chance that Prince Solaris might be a closeted gay stallion. But the only thing I couldn’t figure out is why. If it’s true, why hadn’t he come out centuries ago? Why hadn’t he given me a hint that he…”
“Loves you?” Spines completed his trailed off sentence. “Okay. Well, maybe you should try thinking if you were in his horseshoes. I mean, you’ve known him since you were little and you’ve done all this research, so why wouldn’t he?”
Dusk Shine paused for a moment to think, “Well… If I was Solaris… maybe my experience, I wouldn’t tell Equestria that I’m gay because the nobility has a strict tradition of marrying off their sons or daughters to gain status. And therefore, not complying would lose respect from the nobles. And given that even before the Prince had signed any of those rights for homosexual ponies, I guess it’s from experience of fear that your own citizens won’t follow you because to them, you’re perceived anything but normal. Hence, it would be perceived as distancing myself from Equestria. Plus, since even to this day, there are still homophobes out there. It might be difficult to figure out who is with or against you.”
“And if you were Solaris,” Spines stated, “why wouldn’t you tell Dusk, even if you really like him?”
“Because…” Dusk slowly realized, “if I were him, I don’t want him to think that I’m anything other than… That our relationship is so close, that I don’t want anything to, in his eyes, ruin it. Since I wouldn’t know what Dusk would have thought if I did tell him the truth. I wouldn’t know how Dusk would react, nor if he would return such feelings. Besides, he would only view me as his most respected mentor, second dad, and his best friend. So I might be risking ruining his trust in me. And to top it off, if I were Solaris, I wouldn’t be sure that even if I do love him, I need to be absolutely sure that he does like me back.”
Spines nodded, “Yeah, I could relate to my crush on Elusive. As dreamy of a stallion he may be, even I know that love has to go both ways. So to be honest Dusk, if I were Solaris, I might have waited until my special somepony likes me back the same way. But in the meantime, I would just make sure he’s happy.”
Here, Dusk trotted up to his number one assistant and gave her a hug, “Thanks for that bit of wisdom, Spines. Plus, have I ever told you how proud I am that at your age, you’re taking this rather maturely?”
“Well, I am a lady after all,” she said proudly. “As Elusive says, ‘A good lady must learn how to wait for the right moment to both speak her mind and perform her actions.’”
“I guess that was something that Prince Solaris was trying to do,” Dusk commented, “being a gentlecolt for me.”
“But, what do you think though?” the dragoness teasingly inquired. “How do ya feel that the Prince of the Day has the hots for ya?”
“S-Spines!” Dusk chastised although he was showing a touch of pink on his cheeks. “This is a very delicate matter. I need to understand all the facts before I can think up a plan.”
“So I’m guessing you haven’t gotten far in his letters?”
The purple alicorn shook his head, “I’ve only read two. I just had to do a bit of research before I could continue.”
“So do you wanna read the rest while I go clean up the mess you left behind?” Spines pointed to the organized chaos in the library.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve picked up worse,” she waved a claw as she walked over to the newspapers.
Before she could reach them, Dusk asked, “But what do you think of all of this? I mean, with Solaris… Y-You know?”
“It’s kinda hard to explain. Part of me is a bit surprised, but then again, it’s something that I’m in favor of.”
Dusk blinked, “And why’s that?”
“Because in a way,” she said as she picked up the first stack of newspapers, “it’d be like finding out that one of my dads is in love with my other dad.”
The Prince paused for a moment, taking in what the little dragoness had said. He went over and gave her a hug, “Wow Spines, I’ve never thought you would say something so… sweet.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she nodded, “Anyways, how about you go back upstairs while I clean this.”
“Fair enough,” Dusk’s horn began to glow. “See you later Spines.”
And with a flash, he was back in his room. Before he was some of the scrolls he hadn’t read. He picked one of the unread letters from out of the pile and unrolled it on his desk.
It read:
My Dearest Dusk,
As of now, I feel like the loneliest being in existence. Another Summer Sun Celebration is coming, the day that I’ve sent my little brother away where the masses celebrate his banishment.
Dusk… I wish both of you were here. I wish that Artemis was here again. Dusk, long ago I did something completely foolish. Yes, the ‘wise old ruler’ did something stupid. I suppose you might have heard about his banishment, becoming Nightterror, and the attempt to overthrow me to keep his moon in the sky for eternity.
At this point, he noticed that the ink on the letter was smudged, as if the white alicorn was crying when he wrote it.
But my beloved, why had I ignored all the warning signs? Why did I brush my own brother’s concerns aside to bask in my pride? I could have changed the outcome. I could have tried to reach out to him when he became increasingly distant. But why didn’t I? Why?
My Dusk Shine, I really wish you were here. You don’t have to say a word; you don’t have to ask what’s wrong. Just having you in my arms would be enough. I would have begged you to stay with me just for tonight as I cry to sleep.
But on the other hoof, if time and fate are willing, I must appear strong in your eyes, both mentally and emotionally. I must appear invincible so you can think that you are also. If it means that I have to hide, my true self, in hopes that my little brother may return to me in the upcoming years, I will do so.
I am calm now, as, at such a time as this, my thoughts turn to you. Sometimes, whenever when we’re doing our sessions together, I often times wonder if you’re really lonely. And I don’t mean by not having a close relationship with your family (I mean, your sister is already here at the castle), nor your relationship with myself, or even your mountain range of books.
Rather… do you have any friends, my love? As far as I know, you read at home, you come here, then go back home or to the library to read some more. Do you ever have a conversation with anypony outside of our sessions? Or do you go out with other ponies just for the fun of it, like seeing a movie or going to a concert? I worry about your well-being my Dusk, the last thing I ever want from you is to be alone. Trust me, in my position, loneliness (unfortunately) is a loyal companion to me, but he’s not much of a talker. But just because I have been alone more times than the feathers on my wings, doesn't mean you should be as well.
If you are lonely, remember that you can always turn to me for companionship. You can be here by my warm fireplace with a cup of tea and some of that carrot cake that you like. Or perhaps you want to spend some time with me in the royal library; we can discuss philosophy and history together. Perhaps something as simple as a walk through the garden on a warm day where there’s a light breeze. All you need to do is ask, and I will be more than willing to comply.
But no matter what you decide to do, with an extra friend or just with me, I will make sure that you never feel alone.
Forever yours,
Forever mine,
Forever us,
"Wow," was all Dusk could say, "I'd never have thought he would care for me so much that I wouldn't be lonely. Maybe... he cares enough that I would stay in Ponyville to be with those whom I'm happy to be with."
Dusk rolled up the scroll, placing it in the pile with the letters he’d already read before moving on with the next one.
Prince Dusk Shine placed the third scroll in the “Finished” pile and turned his attention to the four other scrolls that were left untouched. The Prince noticed that from the last letter, he himself didn’t feel uncomfortable. If anything, he was looking forward to the next one. It is here that Dusk gave reason to pause.
‘Wait, why am I not uncomfortable?’ he thought. ‘I mean, I think I should be weirded out that Solaris is practically flirting with me through letters, but… I’m not. Why is-‘
Dusk shook his head, “Come on, focus. The sooner you read all of them, the more likely a definite course will be taken.”
The alicorn unrolled the next scroll.
My faithful
My belo
Dear Dusk
My Dearest Dusk Shine,
I believe that I have a confession to make. Something that I have questioned myself for the past several weeks that I need to confront here and now. It has come out of me from constant reexamination and self-doubt, but I think that I’m ready to face it. When you read this, I want you to read it through until the end. Set aside any prejudice you may have and consider what I have to say first before you make your opinion about me.
Dusk Shine, my most faithful student… I… I think I’m in love with you. Please keep reading, I already know what you’re thinking, and no, this is not a prank. This is not a cruel joke that I’m playing, for I say this with all honesty and sincerity. Dusk Shine, I love you.
By now you’re probably wondering how this can be. I imagine that you’re probably having another mental breakdown in how that I, the Prince of Equestria, am in love with his unicorn student.
"You're a little bit late for that Solaris," Dusk commented.
Don’t deny it; you’re probably in shock as it is. And no doubt you probably want some answers as to how I came to this conclusion.
Let me explain it then.
You see Dusk, I didn’t fall in love with you immediately. It didn’t start when I first saw you at the School for Gifted Unicorns that I fell head over hooves. Back then, I saw you as a promising student, full of the potential to become something great, that was so excited to be my student. As you grew, your passion for knowledge and your skill in learning even the most complex of spells from colts your age had impressed me.
During our sessions, you became a friend that I could drop my mask too. For although it was obvious that you wanted to do everything you could to impress me, I, for one, was astonished that you were the one to talk to me like a real pony. You saw me as so much more than the great Sun God that rules this country through wisdom, kindness, and justice. For you were the first in a very long time that was able to see me as somepony who just wanted to be, well, a pony.
You were my escape from the mundane duties at court; you were the pony I looked forward to in a heated debate of dignitaries. You were the one I wanted to laugh with at the most uptight of dinners.
When you were in your teenage years, I must also confess that I did see myself as a kind of second father, where you would come to me with difficult questions that you were too afraid to ask even your parents. Or that time that you came to me because you once had a bullying problem. But I think I would cherish the memory of your reaction when I explained to you what puberty was.
Dusk was a bit embarrassed when he read that part. His ears folded back and his cheeks turned pink at the memory of his horrified expression when he learned where foals came from.
Yet, on the eve of your eighteenth birthday, I’ve reexamined how I see you. There was no question that I admire you, with your intelligence and being ahead of your time. But what kind of relationship do I see with you now? I don’t believe I would go as far as to call your family, for I don’t really see that. You have become closer and much more open-minded to me than any close relative, such as Princess Bluebelle. (At times it makes me wonder how that we’re related in the first place.) And considering that you are less spoiled than anypony I know despite your privilege.
A best friend is probably closer, for you tend to open up to me than anypony else. Like when you told me that you’re favorite book was “Frankenstallion”, or that you think that pineapple shouldn’t belong on a pizza (which I concede to a degree). And even that you used to be afraid of the headless horse until you were sixteen.
“Well, he does have a point,” the Prince of Friendship said aloud. “I guess outside of Prince Crescendo, Solaris was always the best of being my best friend.”
But for me, however, I felt that our relationship has grown into something else. I always thought about spending each day with you. I’ve wanted to listen to your voice as you told me what you’ve learned. And I wanted to see me pull a prank just so I could hear that laugh of yours. Whenever you are happy around me, I, in return, could feel nothing but joy. When you’re sad, I wanted to stay as long as it took to make sure that your concerns and fears were heard.
I came to admire you beyond your intellect and your fresh observations Dusk, more so than your looks too! As of now, I want to be there with you, both on your best and worst days. I want to show you the world of difference you have made in your time with me. That I would gladly sacrifice myself, the crown, and all of Equestria, just to see you crack a smile.
And that was when I realized it; for the first time in several decades, I had fallen in love. Also, yes, I have for weeks questioned myself of this. I challenged both my mind and heart to see if I loved you or the idea of you. The difference being that one is I love you for who you are versus being in love to the pony that I think you are.
I’ve concluded that even when we had disagreed on a few things here and there, I could always find something to give me a reason as to why I fell in love with you in the first place. Your hunger and use of new knowledge, your willingness to look at anyone and anything from a different point of view, your cute
No! I refuse to use the word “cute” to describe you! The word itself, in my opinion, has been overdone and overused. Cute is used to describe things that you did when you were five; that is to say, the word itself is childish. You, sir, are not cute. You, my love – are wonderful.
Yes, that’s why I fell in love with you. You have a wonderful personality, you are fun to speak with, you are dedicated to making me proud, you are passionate in your reports, you are wise beyond your age, you struggle to be kind and polite with everypony you meet, you test everything to see what the truth really is… you, my beloved, are in every definition of the word, wonderful.
Dusk couldn’t feel anything but awe when he read that. Nopony had ever complimented him like this before. For a split second, he wondered if this is what being wooed was like.
At the same time Dusk, I must accept the fact that there’s a good chance you may never feel the same way that I with you. That my decoration to you may all be in vain. As much as I hate to think of it, you may not see me as anything past your teacher, your best friend.
I have learned from painful experience that love itself can only work if the other is willing to do the same. And I don’t expect for you to say “I love you too” because, at this moment, I’m not certain if you are even attracted to stallions like I am.
Oh Dusk, I really hope this doesn’t change how you see me. I hope you look past the fact that I’m gay and see that I’m just a stallion that wishes to love and be loved like everypony else. So if you say “no” to me, please, do so gently. But if you say “yes,” oh, what joy it will it be for me to have you, my Dusk Shine, like mine.
Yet, if you’re not sure, please, take your time to examine yourself in where you stand. And whatever you may decide, I will love you regardless.
Also, Happy Birthday Dusk Shine. I wish that your life will be filled with endless joy from here on out.
Forever yours,
Forever mine,
Forever us,
Dusk Shine was speechless. Layers of emotions from nervousness to excitement swam around like goldfishes in a tank. Up until now, the lilac alicorn had never thought about his teacher like this before.
So, he decided to take Solaris’s advice. He would reexamine himself, and ask how he sees his old mentor.
Dusk Shine walked up to the mirror, for he needed his reflection to do his thought experiment. The Prince heard a saying that said that the greatest way to know yourself, is by getting to know yourself. Sometimes, when he has a personal problem that nopony could answer, he would turn to this thought experiment as a last resort.
In this case, it is a question that only he could answer, and so, he tapped on the mirror with a hoof, and let the experiment begin.
“Hey, are you there?”
‘Dusk,’ his reflection said with a grin. ‘Long time no see, how’ve you been?’
“I guess I’m alright, but…”
His reflection raised an eyebrow, ‘Yes?’
“But something has come up and I need some advice-”
‘So you turn to me,’ his mirror image nodded. ‘Well, go ahead, what’s the problem this time?’
“This is gonna be a bit hard to explain but… it’s a personal problem.”
‘Spit it out then, what’s going on?’
“Prince Solaris is in love with me." Dusk saw his reflection raised both of his eyebrows. "He explained it from what’s left of the love letters that remained.”
‘What’s left?’
“Yeah, he came in this morning and burned most of them. He looked a bit... stressed before he set fire to them, but Spines was able to save a few. I’ve only read through four of the nine letters.”
‘Huh,’ his reflection put a hoof to his chin. ‘Out of curiosity, how many letters were there before the Prince burned them?’
“There must have been hundreds, probably close to a thousand at least.”
Dusk’s mirror image gave a low whistle, ‘Wow, he must have written daily just to get it close to that number, don’t ya think? Wait, do you know how long he’s been writing these?’
“At least from around when I turned eighteen.”
‘Okay, is the problem that Solaris really likes you, or is it something else?’
The lilac alicorn shrugged, “Maybe that, along with something else.”
‘And that being?’
“Do you… Am I… Oh how do I say this without making it sound too weird…? Is it possible that I could be attracted to him as well?”
His reflection tilted his head, ‘Define attraction?’
“Let me put it like this. When I was reading through his letters, I noticed something odd. You know how ponies that are straight are usually uncomfortable when they’re being flirted with by somepony of the same gender as they are?”
‘That’s basic attraction 101,’ his reflection replied. ‘Ponies tend to lean towards those they feel attracted to, so by contrast, they would naturally feel uncomfortable if somepony that they have no interest nor appeal to be with is flirting with them. So where are you going with this?’
“That’s the thing,” Dusk explained, “When I read them, there was none of that feeling of uncomfortable or uneasiness. If anything, I’m actually looking forward to reading more. Plus, Spines made a joke how that Solaris, as she puts it, ‘has the hots for me.’ And I felt embarrassed! Why?”
‘Oh, I get it,’ his mirror image knowingly nodded. ‘You’re wondering if you’re really attracted to a stallion like him too, huh?’
“W-Well, not exactly, it’s just that… I…” Dusk Shine’s copy looked unconvinced. He sighed. “Yes,” he admitted.
‘Well then, I think I know where to start. Mind if ask you a few things?’
“What?”
‘So, when I say these names, would you care to tell me what comes to mind?’
“I suppose not.”
‘Okay, what do you think about Bonnie in the human world?’
“Oh… she’s nice. Good looking plays the guitar…” the Prince trailed off, “… and… I can’t think of anything else.”
‘Okay, what about somepony much closer to home, like say… Rainbow Blitz?’
“He’s an excellent flyer. I mean sure, he brags a lot, but he does care about his friends. I don’t think that he would allow something like fame gets in the way of what’s really important.”
‘Barry Bubble?’
“I can only describe him as a colt that grew up on a never-ending sugar rush. His passion’s not only in making others laugh, but making them feel good about being themselves and having fun.”
‘Butterscotch?’
“He’s quiet, very reserved, but has the heart of solid gold. And he’s selfless, too. When the time calls for it, he can be kind by keeping his friendly approach to everything in life.”
‘Elusive?’
Dusk laughed. “A drama king with upper-class tendencies. I mean sure, even I can admit that he can get a little too strict in the name of fashion. Then again, if it’s to the point where somepony is in need of something, he wouldn’t hesitate to give it without any second thoughts.”
‘Honest Applejack?’
“A hard worker, and a family stallion that, even though he’s not a father, treats everypony he encounters as if they were family as well.”
‘And what of Solaris?’
“Solaris… he’s… probably the best pony that I have the privilege to know. I mean, he’s taught me so much, not just about magic or history or philosophy, but about life in general. He’s the one who introduced me to what friendship really is. He never turned me away for anything… he reached out to me when nopony else would… Even when he was busy, he always found ways to set aside what he was doing so that we could just have a talk about whatever I wanted. He’s been so selfless, and wise, and…”
‘Yes…?’ His reflection said waving a hoof. ‘Is there anything you would like to share with the class?’
Dusk looked at himself in the mirror, staring at his reflection for quite some time. At last, he spoke what was on his mind, “Do you think… I might be… but… but what about Bonnie? Was that fake?”
‘Depends,’ his copy in the looking glass replied, 'were you attracted to her?’
“Well, she’s certainly pretty and all but-”
‘But…’
“Looking back now… It was all… shallow. It’s almost as if there was nothing much to go back to.”
‘So what’s so different between her, and his Highness?’
Dusk paused but gave the answer. “Because… Solaris is… is… wonderful.”
‘So I guess that settles it,’ his reflection waved a hoof at him. ‘You’re attracted to Solaris as well.’
Dusk shook his head. “Now hold on, I think it’s a little more complicated than that.”
‘Oh?’
“Yeah, I mean, on the other hoof, this is the very pony that has practically raised me. And I personally don’t consider him as a father, just my most trustworthy friend that I could always turn to.”
‘Speaking of trust,’ his reflection interjected, ‘now knowing that he wishes that you would be his special somepony, do you still trust him?’
The Prince paused to think this question over, “Well… I don’t think that’s the right question to ask now I think of it.”
‘Huh?’ His reflection gave him a confused look. ‘I don’t follow.’
“I don’t think the question here isn’t if I trust him, but rather when he finds out that I’ve read some of his private letters, will he trust me? Think about it, I’ve just read something that he isn’t ready to show me. So would he think that I’ve betrayed his trust? In love with me or not, I’ve just found out a secret that my best friend doesn’t want me to know.”
‘Says the stallion who admitted that he’d blushed when his number one assistant joked about the Prince of the Sun having the hots for you.’
Dusk in return gave his looking glass image the death stare. “Shut up.”
‘Or what? You’ll shatter me again?’
“I thought you had all the answers.”
‘Dusk, I’m you,’ his reflection deadpanned. ‘Why do you think that I know everything? I don’t. I may know what nineteen times twenty-six squared divided by pi is, what time the battle of Carvery Ridge took place, and guess ‘who done it’ in the most challenging of Sherlock Hooves stories, but when it comes to Solaris and who should trust who, I’m in the same boat as you are.’
Sighing, Dusk Shine decided to end the experiment. He didn’t feel like he was getting anywhere, so to keep his mind from burning up from frustration, he decided to read more of the letters.
Going back to the desk, he picked up letter number five and unrolled it.
My Dearest Dusk,
I’ve gotten into a bit of a quarrel with Artemis after dinner. He brought up the subject of my attraction to stallions again and tried to offer his help to get somepony to “cure” my illness.
This isn’t the first time he’s brought it up. Even before his banishment, he would send doctors, priests, and magicians in an effort to make me become “normal” like him. Ever since I pointed out my observation to him all those years ago, he always thought it was weird that I would develop such feelings to those of the… rougher gender, shall we say. He thought that if I wasn’t cured soon, I would be the one to be left unhappy in this “unusual, unnatural condition.”
Don’t get me wrong, my beloved, Artie isn’t the type of pony I would call a homophobe. He still looks up to me, being his older brother and all, yet it is his ignorance and his inability to figure out how somepony could be attracted to the same gender that causes him to worry.
Dusk, I must confess to you, for several years after Artemis’s banishment, I did try to cure myself of it, and they were some of the worst years that I could recall. Every day, I was told that I was an unnatural, selfish, weak, perverted Prince that was a freak to everypony I came in contact with. That even when I faithfully followed their instructions to take this “medicine,” perform this ritual, or to bed this mare, I would fail to change. They told me that it was my fault that I couldn’t conform!
The young alicorn’s jaw dropped. This was the first time that he’d ever read anything about this. He had done his research about Solaris not less than an hour ago, and he never found anything like this. It was rather shocking that the Sun Prince would be treated with anything less than respect.
I cannot begin to tell you how many tears I had shed whenever these attempts to change me failed. That those idiots that dared to call themselves “doctors, priests, and magicians” would tell me to my face that I don’t deserve to rule because I’m a disgusting, colt-cuddling, stallion-stuffing, sick, perverted, unnatural faggot that shouldn’t even use my magic to touch the sun that they depend on so!
Shock gave way to anger as Dusk read the insults that these ponies in the past had called him. “How could they?” he asked aloud. “No, how dare they call their own Prince those things?!”
“Dusk?” he heard Spine’s voice as she knocked on his door, “you alright in there?”
The Prince took a moment to breathe a bit, trying to calm down after reading what he just read. “Come in.” With that, the door was opened.
“Hey there,” the dragoness said as she entered. “I just want ya to know that I’m done picking up that mess you made in the library. Sorry, were you just shouting for a moment? Is something wrong?”
After another deep breath, Dusk replied, “You don’t need to worry about it.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah,” Prince Shine nodded, “I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, but just so you know, an old friend of yours is here to see you.” When Dusk tilted his head, Spines sighed. “Do you remember Harpsy, as in one of your sorta friends back from Canterlot? He’s here to see if you have any time to say hi.”
“Harpsy, Harpsy…” Dusk tried to wrap his mind of all the ponies he knew in Canterlot.
“Light green, plays the lyre,” Spines filled him in.
“OH! That Harpsy,” the alicorn suddenly remembered.
Meanwhile, the dragoness nodded. “He’s waiting in the library. You wanna see him?”
“O-Of course!” Dusk smiled but paused when he glanced back over to the letter. “Um… could you tell him I’ll be down in a minute? I have something that I need to wrap up.”
“Sure thing,” and with that, she left.
Dusk picked up the letter to find where he’d left off.
I am calm now. So to put that short, those ponies had left a very unfavorable impression on me that has haunted me to this day.
So when my little brother suggested a particular doctor that could help me, I told him that was exactly what I had done before, and it not only didn’t work, but it had left me psychologically scarred to this day. Artie dismissed this when he pointed out that the doctors in those days weren’t as advanced as modern day ones.
I had informed him that the latest study about homosexuality dismissed it as a mental illness, and that going into repetitive therapy (or as I like to call it, denial therapy) was proven to do much more harm than good.
Dusk, I love my brother to death. As much as I can get upset at what he thinks is natural or unnatural, he’s still family to me. Wait for a second-
…
That was Artemis; he just came into my room to apologize for his upsetting comments. I have already forgiven him and asked him what had brought this up, to begin with.
He told me that it was because of last night when he was going through ponies’ dreams. He had peeked into mine and grew concerned. It was about you, my beloved. I don’t remember seeing him in there, but I remember the dream somewhat. In it, we were in a library, all dark except for the warm glow of a roaring fireplace. We were reading a book, and you looked uncomfortable for some reason. I tried to comfort you by placing a wing over you, telling you that whatever was bothering you, you could tell me. And, well… you kissed me. I think I was both pleased and taken aback, but when you withdrew, you immediately started to apologize. And I believe that before I woke up, I reached under your chin, lifted your eyes back up to mine, and kissed you back.
As for my little brother, after he witnessed this, he told me that he was torn. On the one hoof, I had fallen for one of his saviors. No, it was the main hero that had led the defeat of his dark side from destroying his life. Yet on the other, I had fallen in love with a stallion, that as far as he’s concerned is the major displeasing factor.
I hope that with time, my brother will overcome his view on ponies like myself and realize that I’m not alone, that there’s nothing unnatural in falling for the pony you love.
Good night, my beloved.
Forever yours,
Forever mine,
Forever us,
Dusk put the letter in with the “read” pile and teleported his way into the castle’s library.
In a flash, Dusk Shine reappeared in the library. Looking around to find the mess he made was not only tidied up, but he noticed that his old friend wasn’t in sight.
“Uh… Harpsy?”
“Took ya long enough,” the alicorn jumped as he heard the voice from behind. Quickly turning around, he found a smiling mint green stallion. “Hey Dusk, how’s it been?”
“Harpsy?”
“Yep!” the unicorn pulled him into a crushing hug, “Long time, little see, how’ve you been doing now?”
“For starters,” Dusk choked, “mind letting me get some air?”
“Oh,” Harpsy let go of the Prince, “heh, sorry about that. Guess it’s been a little too long since I’ve last seen ya.”
“It’s okay I suppose,” the Prince said, getting his breath back. “By the way, when was the last time that we’ve talked?”
Harpsy put a hoof to his chin, “Don’t know… I guess it must have been sometime before you moved here. Hold on, now I remember. It was about two months before you moved in here as well. I tell you Dusk, there were times that I have seen ya running everywhere and I wanted to have a chat with ya, but either you were too busy or I was occupied with…” the mint green unicorn trailed off when he noticed his friend’s expression had fallen. “Hey, you okay?”
Dusk shook his head, “Not really. I’ve just realized that I’ve pretty much abandoned you as a friend. And I haven’t even given a second thought about saying something for so long. Harpsy, I’m so sorry.”
“Aw, don’t beat yourself up,” Harpsy put a hoof around the alicorn. “The guys back in Canterlot already know that you tend to be distant, so this isn’t much of a surprise. But hey, I’m not really holding it against ya or anything. You’ve always busy or whatever when Solaris wanted ya to study for something.”
The Royal Scholar nodded his head, “Yeah, I guess so. But still, I still feel bad for neglecting you.”
“Again, you’re fine,” Harpsy waved a hoof. “So, how are things going for ya? Like the new castle?”
“I’m… still getting used to it.”
“Ah,” the unicorn nodded, “and what about your friends here in Ponyville?”
“We’re trying to keep ourselves busy. But I think that’s enough about me. What about you? What have you been doing since you moved here?”
“Well,” Harpsy replied, “except for studying my field of interest, I’m a street musician, just getting by to help pay the rent that I and Bar Bar are sharing.”
Now Dusk was curious. “Bar Bar? You mean that one guy that’s always competing with Barry when it comes to sweets?”
“Yeah, he’s the one that’s making candy.” The unicorn smiled as he added, “He became my best friend when I first moved in. He’s a sweet guy to be around and sees some potential in my music and all. I mean, what can I say, he’s kind, fun to talk to, and he can cook up a mean cinnamon candy.”
“That’s good to hear,” Dusk nodded, “So, has anything else important happened lately?”
Harpy's eyes light up, “Oh! I nearly forgot I’ve found my special somepony here.”
“Oh, congratulations Harpsy,” Dusk shook his hoof, “Glad to hear it, who’s the mare?”
His old friend blinked, “Mare?”
“Yeah, who is she?”
“Uh… Dusk,” Harpsy said, “I think I’ve already told ya guys that I’m gay right?”
Dusk blinked, “Huh?”
“I’ll take that as you haven’t,” he answered, “So I guess you probably weren’t there or weren’t paying attention, since, heck, you’ve always had a book in your face when I told the guys. So… Dusk, I’m gay.” Harpsy let out a wave. “Hello.”
“Whoa,” Dusk said, “I’d… I’d never really thought that you were.”
“Let me guess, I don’t have a lisp, I’m not overly obsessed with fashion like Elusive on a wedding suit, and I don’t let hoof go limp while I talk?” Harpsy shrugged, “Yeah, I’m a bit too weird to fit into a stereotype. Even the very few other gay ponies that I’ve ever met found me a too odd to be around.”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh, all because of what I study.”
Dusk tilted his head, “And… what do you study?”
“Well,” Harpsy sat on his hunches, “It’s a very particular field in cryptozoology.”
“But what is it?”
“Have you by any chance ever heard a creature called the human?”
Dusk froze but his friend went on, “There are only very few bits and pieces from what I could find, but they’re bipedal creatures that walk on their hind legs like birds. And from the few sources I could gather, they are known to be incredibly intelligent, and they have these-”
“Hey Harpsy,” the Prince interrupted, “can we get back on topic?”
“Oh, what?”
“About your uh… special somepony?”
“Ah, right. Anyway, I’ve found my special somepony since the time I’ve moved here. We started to go steady about three months ago.”
“Okay, so who is he?”
Harpsy laughed, “Didn’t I already tell you? Bar Bar is my special somepony.”
“Hold on, I thought you said that he’s your best friend?”
“He is,” he told him. “I guess that when your friend that you trust so much is your coltfriend, who’s to say that I can’t call him my ultimate best friend?”
Dusk suddenly got an idea, “Hey Harpsy, since you’re here, I was wondering if you could help me out for a bit?”
“Of course, shoot.”
“Okay, before I ask some advice, I must know, how well can you keep a secret?”
The unicorn raised an eyebrow, “Pretty good I guess. Why?”
“I have a bit of a social problem that I need some help figuring out. And considering what I’ve just learned about you, I think you’d be the ideal pony to help.”
“Help? Help with…” then Harpsy looked surprised. “Oh! Wait… Dusk, are you gay too?”
“W-What?” Dusk shifted his eyes, “N-No that’s not what I’m getting at. This is something completely different.”
His friend raised an eyebrow, “Like what?”
“Okay, Harpsy,” he looked in the unicorn’s eye and said, “The following conversation never happened, got it?”
“Yeah, yeah, so what is it?”
“Solaris is in love with me.”
There was a moment of silence, Dusk could see that the mint unicorn was processing what he just heard. “Okay,” he said finally, “I did not see that coming at all.”
“Neither did I,” Dusk muttered.
“I mean… wow… you must be the luckiest guy I’ve ever meet. I didn’t know that he’s gay.”
“Well, that’s the thing,” Prince Shine explained. “He doesn’t know that I know about that fact yet.” His friend asked if he could explain that, “Unlike you, he’s not as open about it. In fact, I didn’t have a clue until this morning when through some accident that I received the love letters he’d written for me. Solaris even came by and destroyed most of the letters before I got the chance to read them.”
“So wait, how do you know they were love letters if you hadn’t read them?” Harpsy questioned.
“You can thank Spines for that. She was able to save nine of them that she picked at random. And as I’ve read them, I’ve begun to see him in a completely different light. I’ve already read five of those nine letters so far and… Harpsy, I don’t know what to do. I really don’t have any idea how to approach this at all.”
“What are ya talking about,” the green unicorn raised both of his hooves in the air, “you just found out that Solaris, the Solar Prince of Equestria, has told you that he really likes you. If I were you, I’d feel honored, if not flattered that something like this was to happen to me.”
“For you, of course, but for me it’s different,” Dusk explained. “After all, this is somepony that I looked up to. I’ve always considered him to be my first, real friend that I’ve trusted since I was little. He’s always been my favorite teacher, somepony that I could always turn to when I wasn’t sure of something. But now… I don’t know what to think or feel.”
“Dusk,” Harpsy said, “I want you to look at me in the eye and tell me something.”
“What’s that?” he asked, looking into his friend’s golden eyes.
“Do you feel the same way for him as he does for you?”
“I… I don’t know,” he confessed. “I really don’t know. I mean, sure there are several things about him that I do admire about him. Yet at the same time, I don’t know if I would like him romantically since I’ve never dated stallions before, nor do I know if I could overcome seeing him as anything other than what I was brought up to see him as. And to top it all off, I’ve delved into something that clearly wasn’t meant for me to see. I’ve read the most personal letters to have ever come from him and now I worry if I’ve betrayed his trust.”
Harpsy closed his eyes and thought for a moment, “Alright,” he said at last, “Dusk, speaking from one friend to another, if you really want my advice, go talk to him. For his benefit and yours. You know, before I even had the courage to ask Bar Bar out, I’d developed crushes which all led to outright rejection or developed a relationship that didn’t last long. So the one thing I could say is to go and tell him what you’ve told me. Just don’t be afraid to speak your mind. And you know what, it may get awkward, you two may not want to speak to each other for weeks, but you’ll both learn where your new boundaries will be and just move forward.”
Dusk took in what his old friend had said, reflecting in his straightforward counsel. Smiling, the Prince said to him, “Thanks Harpsy, I think I know what to do now.”
“How many?” the ticket mare behind the glass asked, not looking up from the small pile of bits.
“Two tickets to Canterlot for the two o’clock train please.” The mare glanced up to find the Prince of Friendship wearing saddlebags with a purple and emerald dragon at his side.
“Hey Dusk,” she said in a bored tone, “do you want to travel first class or coach again?”
“Coach as always,” he answered.
“That’ll be twenty bits.” Through the small hole in the glass, twenty neatly piled coins encased in a violet light were laid before her. She gave the tickets over to the Prince and his assistant. “Safe trip, Your Highness,” she added as they walked to the waiting bench.
Spines looked up at the clock that hung on the wall. If the train was on schedule, it should be at the Ponyville station within ten minutes. They’d just recently had lunch before sending out a note to their friends explaining that the two of them would be in Canterlot for a few days because something “unexpected” came up.
She looked over to Dusk who was busy giving Canterlot a thousand-yard stare, his bag plopped down beside them on the floor.
“Hey Dusk?” the dragoness interrupted the silence. “Are you okay about doing this?”
He nodded, “I think so.”
“But nervous in how it’ll turn out?”
“Oh yeah...” the alicorn trailed off, looking down at his hooves. “Do you think this is a good idea?”
Shrugging, she answered honestly, “How should I know? This kind of thing has never happened to me, but I still think there’s no way around it though.”
There was a moment where neither of them talked, letting the breeze and some chirping birds fill the quiet of the little station on the edge of town. Finally, Dusk Shine turned to his assistant. “Do you wanna snack on anything? I’ve got a mixed bag of gems I’ve picked up.”
“Eh… why not?” Dusk took out the bag with his magic and hoofed it over to the dragoness, who started munching its contents by the clawful.
With nothing left to do, the Prince looked back to his saddlebags and took out one of the letters he hadn’t read.
My Dearest Dusk Shine,
As I am writing this by the dying light of my fireplace, you have fallen asleep on my couch. As of now, I let you stay here in the palace because of the frightful weather outside. The weather teams are certainly working overtime to bring some snow to the city since Hearth’s Warming is just around the corner. From looking out the window, I can already tell from the blizzard that it’s a little too risky for you to return home. There’s snow coming down in heavy clumps, and the wind has picked up. There’s simply no way I’m allowing you to go anywhere until the streets are safe to walk on.
You were quite annoyed, if not a bit worried about getting home a few hours ago. After all, we both know that such a circumstance hasn’t happened to you before. You suggested that you would take one of the guest rooms so that you could give me my room back. But nevertheless, I have convinced you that you may sleep on my couch for tonight and I’ll make sure to fix some hot chocolate by the time you wake up.
‘Oh yeah,’ Dusk thought, ‘I remember now. It was the time where the castle was snowed in for two days and nopony could get out. And I certainly remember waking up to the smell of hot cocoa.’
I must admit, this blizzard was a pleasant surprise for me. Of course, this means that you get to be near me, my beloved, as you drift off to your dreams with a copy of “The Age of Reason” as your pillow. Perhaps I should switch it out for an actual pillow, just to make it more comfortable for you to sleep.
Come to think of it… I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you sleep before. Looking at you from where I’m writing this, I almost wish I could have this moment in a painting. The dim light from the fireplace and from the window outside cast soft lights over you. You, lying stomach down on the cushions with a blue blanket wrapped around your form, your tail sticking out. Your head resting upon a book, eyes closed, giving a peaceful smile as if you’re one with the universe. Almost like a monk.
It’s still curious to me how you’re able to do it, to be honest. How is it that you are able to create masterpieces in my eyes without trying? Perhaps I should name this moment: Nocturne Peace.
Wait just a moment… there. I’ve just exchanged your book for one of my countless pillows, yet your expression still remains as serene as ever.
Dusk, my beloved Dusk Shine, is it wrong that in this moment that I envy you?
The young alicorn plinked at that question. “What?”
“Huh?” Spines inquired. “You said something?”
“Um… no.”
Shrugging, the little dragoness popped a ruby in her mouth.
Dusk, my beloved Dusk Shine, is it wrong that in this moment that I envy you? Looking at your sleeping body, I couldn’t help but be envious of you. As of now, your smile to me reflects something that I have long sought for: peace. Peace of mind, to be precise. I mean, the way your facial expression is as the flames die away, you were able to find comfort in that mind of yours. As if that even in a situation where you’re away from home, you are able to find something that wants you to stay and rest here.
As for me, I have sought that peace for quite a while. Given the stress of centuries of court, making difficult decisions that would make historic outcomes for the future, and not to mention having to deal with Princess Bluebelle, what wouldn’t I give to have that peace that you have as this very moment?
There’s something else I’ve noticed about you. As you sleep, you look so innocent and… vulnerable. I confess I did have the thought of perhaps quietly walking over to you to give you a gentle goodnight kiss on those lips of yours. Just one and you may never know. But at the same time, it wouldn’t be fair. If you’re asleep and I kiss you, I doubt that you’ll ever know that it was me, and therefore, have no memory.
Have you ever kissed another pony before? What if you haven’t? What if I had stolen your first and you would have no idea? No, how could I do that?
As much as my heart wants to reach out to you, I still have to wear the mask of your teacher, as well as your friend, just a little longer. The time isn’t quite right yet and there’s still some uncertainty coming from you. I, on the other hoof, can always wait until things become clear and hope that maybe you’ll let your heart reach out to me as well.
There’s not much light left now. I think I ought to retire to bed. As you sleep, my Dusk Shine, I wish you-
Dusk was interrupted as whistle pierced the air. Looking up, he and Spines saw the train was approaching. The Prince looked back at the letter to read the last few words.
As you sleep, my Dusk Shine, I wish you to have pleasant dreams of a sea of books, a forest of scrolls, rivers of stories, and for me to beside you in your adventure.
Goodnight, my sleeping king.
Forever yours,
Forever mine,
For-
“Dusk,” Spines called out to him, “Come on Dusk, the train’s here.”
“Right,” Dusk nodded, rolling up the letter and putting it back into his saddlebags. As the train pulled up, some of the exiting passengers noticed the Prince, wanting his autograph or a picture before he and his assistant could board the train to Canterlot.
Dusk and Spines went to the head of the car where there was some space and took their seats. Dusk sat by the window while Spines flopped onto the green seat, reaching her claw into the bag to pick out her next snack.
As soon as the train started to move its way towards Equestria’s capital, the lilac Prince reached into his bags at the scrolls. So far, he had already read six of the nine remaining letters. After he pulled them out, he searched for the ones he hadn’t seen yet. Once he found the other three, he put them by his side and the rest back into his saddlebag.
Dusk picked one of the unread letters at random and began to read.
My Dearest Dusk,
This is it! Tonight’s the night! It’s been two weeks since your coronation, and you’ve accepted my invitation to dinner. I will keep this letter brief since I’m not sure when you’ll arrive.
While I admit that I do feel, as your pink friend coined it, “nervous-cited,” I’m overall looking forward to the dinner tonight. I’ve already planned out the reservations in advance at the Autumn Leaf, made sure the most critically awarded chef would be there and even got Octave Melody to perform his interpretation of Horseshoepin’s Nocturnes.
I confess, with all the planning for tonight, down to the very hairs of my beard, in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but remember old Murphy’s Law: Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. In that no matter how prepared you are, there will always be something to get in the way.
This is because I’m taking a huge gamble on my part. This dinner is so much more than an excuse for us to see each other. I’ve decided that by the time dessert comes around, I will try to make my confession to you. Yes, this is the night that I will finally tell you what I have felt for you all this time. To let my heart reach out for yours, in hopes that you might do so in return.
For you see, since your ascension, everything has changed. To be honest, you, Dusk, have exceeded and gone beyond any expectations that I had for you. You become not only an alicorn, but a Prince has, I believe, made it easier for both of us. Now you are no longer my student, but my equal. Do not misunderstand me; I had never planned for your ascension to alicornhood. However, what you’ve done, your enlightenment in friendship has elevated you above any student, any master -- even Stars Swirled the Sorceress -- and has pushed me into the decision of letting you join our ranks in Equestrian Royalty.
Dusk, my beloved Dusk Shine, the day you ascended, I still cannot put into words how proud I am of the stallion you’ve become. The fact that you’ve even come this far since the day you became my student has my heart swelling with joy beyond description. I can see in you that you’ll become something greater than I or my brother could ever be. My love, no matter what sort of criticism you may hear from these Canterlot aristocrats, in my eyes, you have the potential, heart, and mind of a great leader. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise, you have gone through so much and you deserve so much more than what even I could give.
I’ve just been told you’ve arrived. I’ll see you soon. And if it goes well, maybe I can finally show you all of my letters that I’ve been writing every day. All for you.
Hoping for the best,
Forever yours,
Forever mine,
Forever us,
-Solaris Everfree.
‘Hold on,’ the young Prince thought, ‘he was going to tell me after the coronation? But… I don’t remember him telling me that at all. I do remember the dinner and some of the conversations. Yet, he never told me that he’d loved me. Why?’
Looking out the window at the trees that flew past his view, Dusk Shine thought back to that night.
_*_
“How are you doing with your new wings?” Solaris asked.
Dusk cautiously extended his wings. “I guess I’m still getting used to them. It’s still weird to have new appendages.”
“I can imagine,” the elder alicorn nodded, picking up the remains of his meal with a spoon. “It isn’t every day that ponies turn into alicorns after all. But I assume your friends Rainbow Blitz or Butterscotch have tried to offer you a helping hoof, haven’t they?”
“They did actually,” the younger Prince folded his wings back to his sides. “They both came to an agreement that Blitz will help me with flying lessons while Scotch will teach me about taking care of them.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Solaris smiled. “I could also imagine you’re still getting used to being a Prince as well?”
“In a way,” he shrugged, lifting a pitcher of water and pouring it into his cup. “The ponies in Ponyville are still trying to figure out how to treat me: either the same as usual or throwing rose petals at my hooves whenever I go out to get some milk.”
The Prince of the Day laughed like a rich-sounding bell at Dusk’s remark. “Consider yourself lucky that you haven’t gotten a court following yet.”
“Yeah, I guess I’m still trying to figure out where I fit in. I mean, I’m still figuring out what I could now. As important as this responsibility you’ve given me is, I’m still questioning if I’m even ready for something like this.”
“Nonsense,” his old mentor replied. “Your friendship reports have demonstrated your leadership skills, wisdom, and difficult decision-making more than I could count. And considering the number of times you and your friends have saved everyone, I think you’ll end up becoming a greater Prince than you give yourself credit for.”
“I guess so,” Prince Shine said. “I just hope that everything will turn out okay.”
Solaris didn’t say anything for a moment. After taking a sip of his glass, he stated, “I’m still curious about your decision to stay in Ponyville. You do know that you’re still welcomed here in Canterlot.”
“Well yeah, but coming back here, Canterlot doesn’t feel like home to me anymore.”
“How come?”
Dusk took a moment to think about his answer, “Because in Ponyville, I have trustworthy and insightful friends that have taught me so much. I have a library that I look after, and the ponies there are much more open than here. Granted, the town can get rather crazy on some days, but Ponyville is a place where I can truly feel like I’m home.”
“Ah,” Solaris nodded thoughtfully. There was a pause again before the white alicorn spoke up, “Dusk?”
“Hm?”
“I… I think there’s something that I think I need to say to you since we’re here.”
“Oh sure, what is it?”
Dusk Shine noticed his former teacher’s hesitation, but before he could say a word, a voice interrupted, “So, did Your Majesties’ enjoy your meals?” Pulling the curtain to the private room of the restaurant was a unicorn in a white chef's coat, pushing a cart that had a cake that looked like it had a mountain of cream, a bottle of rum, and a lighter.
Clearing his throat, Solaris responded, “Why yes Chef Crème Brûlée, that was very excellent.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” the head chief smiled, “I have brought the dessert, just as requested.”
Dusk looked up to the Solar Prince in confusion, “We didn’t order dessert, did we?”
“I did long beforehoof,” Solaris explained. “Thank you for bringing it out.”
“My pleasure Your Grace,” he said as he took the plates off the table and replaced them with the smaller dessert plates. The chef then put the cake down on the table before pouring the rum over it.
“What are you doing?” Dusk asked, eyeing the alcohol being spilled on the cake before turning to the lit lighter.
“It’s called glace au four,” the chief explained, holding the lighter over the cake. “What it is is a cake that’s made up of ice cream, lined with sponge cake, and topped with meringue. Now for the final touch…” As the small flame made contact with the cake, the dessert caught on fire… as did the tablecloth.
In an instant panic, Dusk’s wing’s opened up, the added air causing the flames to spread. All three ponies, in shock, tried to put the fire out. Dusk took whatever that had contained liquid and dumped it on the table. The problem was that he has forgotten that some of those said containers had alcohol in them.
Solaris lit his horn to create an air bubble around the table, hoping that the fire would die out from a lack of air.
As for the chef, he reached down his cart to grab the fire extinguisher. “Let me through,” he said, Solaris taking notice of this and lifting the shield. The chef sprayed the table until the fire was gone, leaving nothing but smoke behind.
“I am so sorry for that Your Highnesses,” the chef apologized. But Solaris didn’t pay attention to the head chef; his eyes were on Dusk, who had his hooves around his mouth, completely horrified.
“Dusk?” Solaris asks softly.
“Oh… I-I…” Dusk’s ears folded back, he looked down at the floor, “I-I’m so sorry.”
“Dusk-”
“I’ve ruined everything, have I?” he moaned, and then suddenly the lilac alicorn quickly got up. “I-I need to go.”
“Dusk wait!” But his former student was already quickly headed out the door-- “Dusk!” --completely embarrassed and humiliated from his newly given wings-- “Dusk, come back!” --he galloped out the door.
_*_
“Oh…” Dusk folded his ears back as he remembered exactly what happened. He recalled the shame he felt after that accident. Suddenly, his question of why Solaris never brought it up suddenly made sense.
“Um… excuse me?” Dusk looked up, as did Spines to find a stallion pulling a cart of goodies, “Can I get either of you anything?”
“Nah, I’m good,” Spines said, popping an emerald into her mouth.
“And what about you?” he asked.
“Water’s fine,” the Prince told him as the stallion gave him a small glass. After he went away, Dusk downed the cup before looking out to the window again. By now, they were halfway to Canterlot, so the Prince took out another unread letter.
My Dearest Dusk,
It’s been quite a dull day at court today. I’m afraid that I have nothing much to report on my side except for the usual petty complaints from our citizens, another mountain range of paperwork, and having to scold Bluebelle… again.
There wasn’t a single joke from sunrise to sunset that was told around me, nor was there anything to make me crack a smile. Everywhere I go, from my guards to butlers, everypony’s always too polite and afraid that I can’t take a joke. Whenever I catch somepony messing up, they grovel at my hooves, begging to not send them to the moon because a drop of water hits the tablecloth!
I hate this. I really hate this sometimes. On one hoof, you’re treated like a god, yet on the other, they see you as a god that has a short temper – that if anypony does something wrong, even the most microscopic mistake, I would become angry enough to unleash the fury of the sun upon them.
But despite all this, at the end of a boring, predictable day, I was surprised to receive your letter. In it, you described what you’d learned while you were in Appaloosa, “Friendship is a wondrous and powerful thing. Even the worst of enemies can become friends; you need understanding and compromise. You’ve got to share, you’ve got to care.”
I must say that when you went into detail, describing what occurred between the settlers and the Buffalo tribe, I was quite impressed. I’ve also made a mental note to take a trip over to Appleloosa to help finite some of the relationships to prevent future conflict.
Yet overall, I am astounded in how much you’ve grown, my Dusk Shine. You’ve gone from a bookworm with very, very few friends to going on these adventures with your friends for the good of Equestria, and each other.
The fact of the matter is that I miss you. I miss having you here in Canterlot, in the castle, by my side. I’m still getting along as best as I can and working on getting my brother back on his hooves once again. I meet nobles, representatives, and ambassadors daily, yet the feeling of loneliness still haunts me. Each day, I tend to remember the times you were here. Besides, the palace seems empty when your laughter is missing.
Please keep writing, my most faithful. As of now, it’s the only way I can hear from you. I still wait each day for something to arrive. A new lesson perhaps, or possibly a problem you may have. Whatever it may be, I always look forward to reading your letters, Dusk. I hope that you won’t forget about me in your new home of Ponyville. It would be a dark day for me to find that you have ceased to write to me.
As a side note, I’ve recently had someone try to offer a hoof to court me today. She was from Manehatten, upper class (of course) and tried her best to be polite as can be. However, I’m glad to say that I’ve turned the offer down because there’s already one pony out there that has my eye for quite some time. Someone that I’ll wait until the sun dies to hear from.
Have a good night, my Dusk Shine,
Forever yours,
Forever mi-
“Canterlot,” the train’s conductor called out as Dusk noticed the train was slowing down, “this stop is Canterlot.”
As soon as they got to the station, Spines hopped onto Dusk’s back before they started flying towards the direction of the castle. Spines took this opportunity to point something out. “You’ve been really quiet on the way here. Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Huh? It’s okay, I’m fine. Really.”
His assistant, however, wasn’t convinced. “You’re scared stiff, aren’t you?”
“What?” Dusk craned his neck over to her. “Me? Scared? Of having to confront the very pony that I, up until today, had no idea was actually in love with me for years now? I’m not scared or nervous at all! Nope, not me!”
“You do realize that you’re not fooling anyone here, right?”
He sighed. “Well… I guess I am a bit scared… okay, a lot scared. But really, what do I say to him? What is there to say about all this? I don’t want him to feel bad or anything, or betrayed that I’ve read his personal letters. Spines, I’m completely lost here.”
“Well for starters,” she advised, “just keep your cool. As long as you remain calm, you’ll be fine. I think at this point that no matter how you feel about him now, it’s important to speak whatever is on your mind. I mean, you have come to him for difficult problems before, why should this be any different?”
“Because it’s him that is making it difficult for me to even speak with him,” Dusk answered.
The alicorn flew up to the gates where he was greeted with the usual pair of Solar Guards. They noticed the Prince flying up to them before they gave their salutes. “Welcome to Canterlot Castle, Prince Dusk Shine,” one of the mares in armor welcomed him.
“Shall we inform the other Princes that you have arrived, Sire?” asked the other.
“He’s here for Solaris,” Spines told them. “It’s a bit of a personal matter.”
“Shall we inform him immediately?” the first guard inquired. “Prince Solaris is still in court at the moment.”
“Is he listening to concerns and grievances now?” Dusk wondered aloud.
“Since it’s almost 3:30,” the other guard said, looking at her watch. “He should be wrapping up, so if you wish to see him after that, I suppose you could wait til-”
“Actually, I think I want to see him now,” the Prince told them. “And I’ll wait in line if I have to.” He lowered the dragoness off his back and to the ground. “Spines, how about you go get some doughnuts for us while I have a talk with Solaris.”
“Uh, sure,” Spines reached into the saddlebag to grab out a few bits from it. “I’ll be right back,” she added as she started to head her way into the city.
“I’ll show myself in,” Dusk said to the guards. “I think I have a pretty good idea where to go from here.”
“As you wish, your Highness,” they said in unison as the lilac alicorn walked past them. Dusk Shine already knew where he’d be headed; up the staircase, down the hall, past dozens of rooms until he reached the Throne Room. As he walked, everypony that he passed -- castle staff and nobles alike -- would nod respectively or bow to him.
At the end of the hallway, he found a small line of three ponies and a Solar Guard, whose job was to inform the page inside the Throne Room of the Sun Prince’s next appointment. She spotted the Prince of Friendship walking up to her and said, “Prince Dusk Shine, welcome back.”
“Hello to you too Ms. Saber,” Dusk nodded to her.
“You wish to see Prince Solaris?”
“Yes actually. I’m here for some… personal business.”
“I see,” she turned to the gilded door to the Throne Room. “Shall I let you in now or do you want to wait?”
Dusk looked over to the three other ponies on the waiting bench to be let in, “I think I can wait. I have some things to think about anyway.”
“Very good,” she nodded. “Take a seat, Your Majesty.”
The Prince went over to the furthest end of the bench to reflect on what he’d learned today. Even though he had read all nine letters except for one, he felt that he’d learned quite a bit more about Solaris than before. There was no doubt that his former teacher was in love with him from the remaining samples of the hundreds that were burnt away. Dusk only had one thing left to answer: what did he think of all this?
On one hoof, never before had he received anything so passionate from anypony he knew. While it was true that he himself had crushes towards others before, he’d never really thought that anypony would fall in love with him the way Solaris had shown through his letters. Not even Bonnie from the human world had ever expressed something as colorful, as caring like this.
‘In a way,’ Dusk thought, ‘I may have fallen for a few in the past, but I didn’t really think anypony would fall for me for any reason. Perhaps Solaris was right; maybe I have given up on romantic love completely. But still… What do I tell him? How do I explain-’
“Your Majesty?” the guard named Ms. Saber interrupted his thoughts.
“Huh?”
“Prince Solaris will speak with you now.”
“O-oh,” Dusk got up, feeling embarrassed in not realizing how caught up he was that he didn’t notice the other three ponies were already gone. After checking that his saddlebag was still on him, he looked back at the guard. “I think I’m ready.”
“Very good.” She went up to the doors, disappearing shortly before reappearing to open the doors to him.
“Announcing Prince Dusk Shine of Ponyville!” a voice echoed in the Throne Room as the lilac alicorn entered.
Across the room on a velvety red throne sat the white alicorn, wearing his golden crown, breastplate, and boots. His mane and tail were as if they were made of fire as the reds and oranges seemed to be moved about by a never-ending wind. His beard was well kept as were his wings. Certainly, he was exactly the opposite of the Prince of the Sun that Dusk had seen this morning.
When the elder alicorn saw who was the last to enter, he stood up from his throne. “Dusk Shine! I wasn’t expecting you.” Solaris made his way towards Dusk, meeting him halfway in the expansive room. “I must say, this is quite an unexpected surprise.” He leaned his neck downward and nuzzled him on the right side of Dusk’s face. “What brings you to Canterlot?”
“Uh…”
Solaris looked down, taking notice that his former student was looking at the ground, his cheeks turning a darker shade of purple.
“Dusk? Is something the matter?”
“It’s… It’s kinda hard to explain.”
The elder Prince’s smile faded and gave way to worry. “Why? What’s wrong?”
Dusk looked around the room at the other guards present. “Could we go somewhere else? I, uh… wanted to talk with you. Alone.”
“Of course,” Solaris nodded. “My study I suppose?”
“Sure,” Prince Shine consented, “let’s go there.”
Solaris gestured with his wing towards a door. “You’ve actually come at a good time, to be honest,” he said. “Court was slower than I predicted. I was getting rather bored back there…” As the white alicorn talked, Dusk followed him by his side, not saying a word. Not to say that this went unnoticed. “Dusk?”
“Hm?”
“What do you think?”
Dusk stiffened up, not paying attention to the conversation. “Uh…”
Now his old mentor’s eyes were filled with concern. “Has something gotten you distracted?”
“Y-yeah,” he confessed.
Soon enough, they reached the private study that was filled from floor to ceiling with books, artifacts, antiques, a large oak desk, and two pillows to sit on. Solaris sat behind his desk while his former student sat in front, taking his saddlebag off of him.
“So what’s on your mind?” Solaris asks. “You’re not your usual self.”
“It’s… u-uh…” Dusk stuttered.
“Dusk, you know that you can tell me anything,” the white alicorn told him. “I’m sure that whatever is on your mind, I promise I don't think anything less of you.”
The bookworm looked up. “You mean that?”
Solaris nodded. “Yes. So tell me, what is bothering you?”
Dusk reached into his saddlebags. “It’s… kinda hard for me to explain.”
“Then try anyway.”
“Well… I’ve been reading something that has changed my point of view that I uh… need to talk to you about.” After he opened the bag, Dusk’s horn lit up to retrieve all nine scrolls before setting them on the desk. “I think it’s best that I show them to you so that it’ll give you a clearer understanding.”
“Alright,” Solaris said, picking up one of the scrolls. “I’m sure that whatever you’ve read can’t be as…” he trailed off as he unrolled the first piece of parchment. Dusk could have sworn that at that moment, that he saw his old mentor turned a paler shade of white. His horn lifted the rest of the letters and he unrolled them at once, scanning each and every one of them. The Prince of Friendship also saw his eyes taken a look of dread, slack-jawed in silent horror.
After a moment, Solaris lowered all nine scrolls on the table, looking at him with extreme nervousness. “Dusk,” he asked softly, “where did you get these?”
“Spines was able to save a few,” Dusk confessed.
There was a concrete silence in the room. For a while, two nervous stallions stared at each other, both of them trying to figure out what to say next.
“D-Dusk,” Solaris spoke, his voice shaky and quiet. “I-I-”
“I’m sorry,” Dusk interrupted.
This caught the elder stallion off guard. “What?”
“Solaris, I’m so sorry for intruding into something so private. W-When you came in this morning, you were so… not yourself that I wanted to know what was wrong. Spines were able to save a small fraction of what you’d destroyed and I couldn’t help but look into them. About halfway through, I figured out that they weren’t for me to see. Before I could do anything, I’d already read through them and I... guess I learned too much. Solaris, I have intruded into your privacy and further insight into your secret. Even as a friend, it was wrong of me to do so. Solaris, I’m really sorry.”
The white alicorn shook his head. “No, Dusk no, you shouldn’t be the one apologizing.” He said as he put his hooves over his face. “I should be the one saying sorry. Dusk… I never… I-I didn’t mean…” Solaris’s body shook, so thinking quickly, Dusk did the first thing that came to mind: he got up and hugged him.
His former mentor looked up in confusion, with tears forming in his eyes, he asked. “What are you-”
“Solaris, don’t,” Dusk interrupted. “I know what you're like when you’re beating yourself up. It was heart-wrenching to read. Don’t think any less of yourself. You’ve got nothing to feel sorry for.”
“But,” he shook his head, “what about you? Are you not the least bit disgusted, or even angry at me?”
“Oddly… not really,” Dusk admitted and Solaris froze. “That’s the weird part, I’ve read eight of those nine letters, and never once have I felt disgusted. Look, I don’t know why or what it even means, but going through how much you really care about me… I couldn’t help but feel… well… flattered I suppose.” He said those last three words as softly as Butterscotch would talk to strangers.
Solaris on the other hoof froze in place like a statue, trying to process everything he’d heard. “Dusk,” he said at last, “you’re not saying that… are you?”
“I… I don’t know, Solaris. I really don’t know,” the young alicorn confessed. “I don’t know if this means I’m attracted to you too or if I happen to like guys too but never knew it or what. I’ve been asking myself what I feel towards you now and… I just don’t know. What if I am? What I’m not? Would it make a difference if you were a mare instead of a stallion?”
Solaris raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”
“I mean,” Dusk explained, “would it make any difference if you had the same personality, but were a different gender. Would I feel differently? I’ve been thinking about this since I left the train station...”
“Have you found an answer to that?”
Dusk shrugged. “I guess that either way, it probably wouldn’t matter to me. Solaris, you’re the first pony that has that told me (although indirectly) that you love me because I’m… well, me. And here I thought that nopony would have been stupid enough to-”
“Dusk, stop it,” the Sun Prince cut him off. “Don’t you dare think any less of yourself. Don’t say that you’re not worth loving, because you are! You have been selfless to everypony and loyal to your friends and me, even in the darkest of times. You have a mind that elevates above genius, gives insight to things that even I wouldn’t have thought to look at, and don’t you ever believe that nopony would have fallen for you because you’re a freak. You’re worth so much more than that…” Solaris paused, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he relaxed a bit before saying. “Forgive me.”
The younger Prince was taken aback by this. “For what? Solaris, you have nothing to be sorry over. I’m not saying that I hate or love you, it’s just that I don’t know how to react.”
Solaris lowered his head, sighing. “I understand… I understand. Dusk, if you wish to leave and never want to see me again, then go ahead. I won’t stop you.”
There was a pause; Dusk didn’t move from where he stood when he got an idea. “Actually, this might sound a little weird but… Solaris…” his old teacher looked up, “do you… um… would you want to… go out? With me, that is.”
With wide eyes, Solaris stared at him for a solid minute. “What?”
“Y-you know, like a… a date or… something.”
Another moment of silence. “This isn’t a joke, is it?” Solaris questioned.
Dusk shook his head. “Not really, I mean… From what I’ve read from your letters, you’ve always wanted to make me happy. All you’ve been doing as long as I can remember is do nothing but give. You gave up your time to be with me, gave me the best education anypony could dream of, gave me a chance to become a better stallion, gave me the chance to live in Ponyville, and now,” he lifted his wings to make a point, “I guess it would be wrong, even for me, not to give something back.”
Solaris’s jaw dropped. “I-I…” his mouth opened and closed as if he tried to figure out the right words to express what he was thinking. “How am I supposed to respond to that?” he asked.
“So, will you, go on a date with me?” Dusk asked. “I’ll even let you set up the place and time to do it. I want to do this so I can fully understand where I stand on this. So… will you?”
Prince Shine saw his old mentor’s eyes tear up, even cracking a smile. “Dusk… I don’t know what to say except… yes. Thank you.” That smile grows into chuckles, and those chuckles matured into laughter. “Oh, where do I start? When shall it be?”
“Well, I did tell my friends that I may be gone for a couple of days,” Dusk explained, “so I’ve got some free time on my part.”
Still smiling, Solaris put a hoof to his chin, “Yes, yes… there’s much to do. Dusk, I don’t think I would be able to do it tonight. I’ve already got plans that would keep me busy. However, tomorrow night would be perfect. Does that sound good?”
Dusk nodded. “Sure. Since I have Spines here, perhaps we could take the opportunity to explore Canterlot to see if there’s anything new here.”
“Wonderful plan,” the Prince of the Sun rubbed his hooves together. “I’ll make sure that it’ll be something that both of us will enjoy. So how about… 7:30?”
Dusk Shine nodded. “That sounds great.”
_*_
“Dusk? You around here?” the dragoness called out from the castle’s hallways. “I got those donuts you wanted.
“There you are.” She turned around to find the alicorn she was looking for.
“Hey, I’ve got the donuts,” Spines said as she helps up the pink box. Said box was lifted in the air in a purple aura, being levitated by the Prince.
After opening it up, Dusk commented. “Ooh, you’ve got some good ones in here,” he said, lifting one of the chocolate glazed doughnuts.
A yawn escaped Artemis’s muzzle. Although it was 6:30 in the evening, the azure alicorn still thought it was a bit too early to wake up. Dragging his hooves through the hallway, he had one thing on his mind: coffee. On a day where he hadn’t got much sleep, he was going to need something to wake him up.
After one seemingly endless walk later, he made it to the private dining room, where, as expected, his older brother already resided... Since he was early, and by the look of things with the clean, yet empty plate, Solaris himself looked like he just sat down.
His brother smiled at him. “Artie, you’re here ear-” he was cut off when his brother’s magic enveloped over his mouth, preventing him from talking. All the while, his younger sibling gave him a look that told him ‘Coffee first, talk later.’
As soon as he sat down, a butler presented Artemis with a pot of freshly hot liquid and his signature mug. After nodding to him, he poured the first cup along with some cream, downing it quickly and pouring another before releasing his brother’s mouth of its magic hold. “You were saying?” he muttered.
“Well, I was going to comment on how you’re here earlier than usual,” Solaris said since his jaw was now free and he’d returned back to his smile. “Nevertheless, I’m rather glad you came. I was just about to have dinner myself.”
“Really?” his little brother raised an eyebrow before taking a sip from his cup.
“Quite,” the Sun Prince nodded. “I had a very interesting day that started badly, but turned out to be a rather good one.”
“Care to inform me? I was asleep you know.”
Chuckling, Solaris said as the servants started dishing out his meal. “For starters, Philharmonic was being a bad boy this morning.”
“How so?”
“Well, he took one of my letters that I intended to finish when I woke up, flew down to the library, and went into one of the vaults of the castle.”
“Wait,” Artemis interrupted, “we have a vault in the library?”
His big brother sheepishly nodded. “Why… yes. I was keeping some uh… very private letters in there when he suddenly went in and sent all of them to Dusk Shine.”
“Oh…” the Prince of the Night replied. “Now when you say that these letters were private, how private are we talking about?”
“Very personal,” Solaris explained. “I went over to Ponyville and disposed of these letters before Dusk could read them. He was confused at first, but I told him not to worry about it. After that, I came to court late and I had Philharmonic put in timeout for the scare he caused this morning.
“After that, I had to deal with Bluebelle-”
“Ugh,” Artemis rolled his eyes, “what did she want this time?”
“You remember our old castle in the Everfree Forest?” his brother nodded. “She wanted to renovate it and turn it into a castle of her own. Even though we both have already told her that it’s still too risky for renovations, especially considering recent incidents... Of course, she gave one of her hissy fits, saying that she wanted her castle now like a five-year-old would want a toy.”
The azure alicorn shook his head. “Adopted grandchildren these days.”
“However, the delegation meeting after that went well,” Solaris continued, “as did some of the negotiations for the Yaks to come down to Equestria, which I was told will happen in the near future.”
“Is that all?” the younger brother asked.
Solaris smiled, “Not quite, court was slow today.”
“Then why do you seem to be in a good mood?”
“Oh,” the elder alicorn chuckled, “at the end of the day, something wonderful happened.”
“And that being?”
“Artie,” Solaris announced, “I’ve just got myself a date tomorrow.”
This made the midnight alicorn look up from his mug, “What? With who?”
With a sly smile, his older brother replied, “Who do you think?”
It took a moment for Artemis to piece together this little puzzle, “Let me guess, Prince Dusk Shine?”
Solaris nodded, and his younger brother snorted. “What?” the older inquired.
“Forget it.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Sol, it’s nothing,” Artemis looked down at his cup.
“No, there’s certainly something,” Solaris commented. “Is it the fact that I’m dating a stallion?”
Putting down his cup, the azure alicorn replied, “It’s just that I can’t imagine you doing something like this. Forgive me Solaris, but I still think that all of this… homosexual stuff is still a difficult concept for me to grasp.”
“It’s still pretty much the same way you would be dating mares.”
“No, it isn’t,” Artemis shook his head. “You being romantically attracted to gentlecolts is not the same. It’s just… weird.”
Solaris sighed. “Brother of mine, we’ve already gone through this before. There isn’t anything wrong in me being attracted to somepony like Dusk Shine. I don’t get to choose the gender I happen to like any more than you get to choose to like mares.”
“I know, I’m sorry. It’s just... I can’t get my head wrapped around the very idea of it all. Solaris, look, I am trying to understand, really, but the problem is that I just can’t. I don’t understand what you see in stallions that you find appealing, nor do I get how you can have a relationship with them. Maybe I’m missing something. I have been gone for a thousand years so it wouldn’t surprise me if I did.” After taking another sip of his coffee he added. “However, I will not object if this stallion you’re planning on dating is somepony I also trust. Be it Dusk Shine or one of the others that bear the elements. If it were any other pony, then I would be concerned, but if it were noble, I would go over there and threaten them with my battle ax.”
The Sun Prince blinked. “So… you are alright with this?”
He shrugged. “I’m still torn over it, to be honest. I don’t believe I have the authority on the subject to say if this is right or not. But the one thing that I am concerned about, above all else, is your happiness and well-being. Sol, I know that you care about Dusk Shine deeply, but if he does something to you that is truly unjust, then I will personally get involved with my battle ax.”
Solaris chuckled. “I don’t believe it will turn out for the worst. We both know Dusk is a good stallion at heart. And besides, he was the one who asked me out to begin with.”
“Did he now?” As Artemis said this, his breakfast was placed before him by the nearby servants. “And how did this come about? You didn’t tell him that you love him, did you?”
“Not on purpose,” Solaris admitted. His brother asked what he meant by that. The white alicorn explained to him how Dusk was able to read a few of those private letters thanks to Spines saving some of them. He also explained to him that while Dusk wasn’t sure if he was attracted to him or not, he was still giving him a chance.
“Out of curiosity,” the younger brother said after listening to Solaris, “for this ‘date’, what are you planning to do anyway?”
Solaris picked up a spoon in his golden aura, dipping it into the soup to take a taste. “Oh, I have a few ideas in mind.”
“I told you not to move, didn’t I?” Spines scolded him. “Luckily for you, I’m nearly done anyway.”
Dusk frowned in the mirror; his assistant was combing his mane until each hair was even. From the mirror the alicorn was holding up with his magic, he glanced at the clock on the mantle. Almost seven o’clock, yet the young Prince still felt unprepared. He took a moment to take a look at the card for the half-a-millionth time:
Dusk, meet me at airship loading dock #9 at 7:30. If I’m not there, the servants will guide you to where you need to be. A formal dress is optional. I’ll see you soon.
-Solaris.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” the dragoness reassured him, again. “Whatever he has in mind, I think it’ll be fun.”
Dusk chuckled. “You’re starting to sound like my parents talking to Gleaming before she went on a date with Crescendo.”
Spines snickered. “Come on Dusk, both you and your sis pretty much share the same trait of being way too nervous before you go on a date. Trust me, I was there before she went on her first date, remember.”
“Oh yeah, I remember. She was trying to make sure that everything about her was just right. Plus mom and dad were giving her enough advice to make her sweat all over. Eventually, when Crescendo did arrive with that bouquet, we could barely get her to budge out the front door.” Dusk laughed at the memory of his older sister’s awkwardness that night years ago.
Spines tried to suppress a giggle of her own. “Yeah, and we had to use a crowbar just get to loosen her grip on the door frame. I still wish I could have taken a picture of that.”
“No kidding.” Smiling again, the lilac Prince looked over at what he was wearing. A simple white shirt, violet vest and a black tie with a white tie pin. In the mirror, he inspected one wing, then the next to find they were nice even. He went through his mental checklist: shower, done; teeth brushed and taken a whole box of breath mints, done; clothes that were both formal and non-restricting, done; mane and tail combed… still in progress.
As Spines finished combing his mane and started on the tail, Dusk’s mind wandered once again. He had an idea what he was getting himself into. In almost half-an-hour, he would be going on a date with the embodiment of the sun himself. Spines were right; after all, he already knew Solaris pretty well. And as Rainbow Blitz once said, “Going on a date is just Fanciness for hanging out with somepony you like.” Yes, perhaps he should think of it as a glorified hang out with the Prince, someone who was his teacher and best friend.
At the same time, that was the only thing he couldn’t get over. He was going on a date with the same pony that had taught him to teleport up to several miles away, trained him in advanced defensive magic, and even enlightened him on various subjects in literature.
On the other hoof, he was going out on a date with the same stallion that probably held the record of being in the closet for the longest time. It made him wonder if anypony else knew of his secret. No doubt he had tried anything and everything to keep it that way. He made a mental note to himself to talk to Solaris about that.
“There we go,” Spines said, finishing combing Dusk’s tail, “all set and ready to go.” She said as she stepped into the mirror’s reflection as well. The little dragoness looked between Dusk’s reflection and the real pony beside her and nodded in approval. “You look good.”
Using a wing, Dusk pulled her into a hug. “Thanks a lot, Spines for all of your hard work.”
“It’s my job,” she shrugged. “So, do ya think you’re ready for this?”
“As if I ever will be ready for something like this?” the Prince questioned. “But seriously, I still might be somewhat nervous. Yet, I still think I should go through with it, even though I have no idea where it might lead.”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Spines said as she walked away. As Dusk put the mirror back on the wall, his assistant went over to the nightstand to pick up a scroll. She went over to his side once more to give him the rolled up piece of parchment.
“Thanks,” the lilac alicorn took the scroll in his aura, placing it underneath his wing. Looking at the clock which currently read 7:05, he decided that this would be a good time to start heading over. “I don’t know how long we’ll be gone,” he added as he headed for the door of their room, “so I guess until then, you’ll be catching up on your comic books, won’t you?”
“Of course,” she said, flopping onto the bed was her copy of ‘Origins of the Ghost Ninja, Vol. 2,’ with the receipt still sticking as a bookmark. “I still have some ways to go before I move on to the next volume. Good luck, Dusk.”
“Thanks,” he said, as he closed the door behind him.
_*_
The carriage rolled into the address that was on Dusk’s card. “Loading Dock #9” was what the sign overhead said. Dusk got out of the carriage and thanked the guards for bringing him here. They saluted and went off on their way, back to the palace no doubt.
The young alicorn turned around to face the gate to the loading dock to find one of the new airships. The ship itself was hung below a blue balloon that had some gold leafing. Hanging from thick black ropes was a boat that was about the size of a yacht with one of the rear ropes holding a flag bearing the Equestrian Royal Seal. The vessel itself was small compared to some of the surrounding cargo ships nearby, but the small ship was decorated in gold and silver leafing, painted white, with azure silk wings extended from the side and a large propeller in the back. At the center of the ship, he saw lanterns dangling by ropes from the balloon above. On its side, near the head of the boat was the title: “E. A. S. Compass Rose.”
Dusk Shine looked around. ‘Where’s Solaris?’ he wondered. By now, the sun would be approaching the horizon within an hour or so. The airship yard wasn’t entirely empty; there were a few ponies and gryphons still roaming about, but the Sun Prince was still nowhere to be seen.
“Prince Dusk Shine?” His attention was turned to a mare in a white uniform. She took a quick bow to him and said, “You’re here early.”
“Why? What time is it?”
The mare took out a pocket watch, “7:20, Your Majesty. If you wouldn’t mind, would you please follow me onto the ship?”
Dusk nodded, following her down the plank pathway, up the ramp, and onto the airship. When he stepped on the deck, he found a table for two with some of the glass lanterns hanging from above. The table was covered by a white cloth, fine china, silverware, and crystal glasses.
“Go ahead and have a seat, Your Highness,” she said as she went to another part of the ship. The young Prince did take a seat. As soon as he sat down, however, he noticed some other ponies in white uniforms descending on the deck, taking the platform up onto the ship, and letting go of the ropes that connected with the dock.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Dusk asked as one of the crew walked by him.
The mare paused for a moment to answer: “What does it look like? We’re taking off.”
“But what about Solaris?” he pointed out. “He’s not even on the ship.”
“Trust me when I say this, he’ll be here. Besides, you’re early anyway.” Before Dusk could say anything further, she, along with the rest of the crew, vanished out of sight, leaving the purple alicorn behind.
‘Don’t worry Dusk,’ he told himself. ‘Remember, Solaris can fly too, and he’s never late. I’m sure that he’ll be here soon enough.’
But with the ship’s propeller spinning at full speed and pulling the ship further from Canterlot, Dusk began to grow more worried, wondering if his old mentor was going to arrive at all. He kept his eyes on the Capital, trying to see if he could spot his date anywhere.
He wasn’t paying attention when he heard somepony taking up his glass from the table. “Water, good sir?” somepony asked.
“That’ll be fine,” he said, not turning to see who it was.
He heard his glass being filled with ice water before it was placed down on the table. “Are you ready to order?”
“Look,” Dusk said, “Prince Solaris isn’t here yet, so maybe you should…” This time, he turned to look who he was talking to. He trailed off when he saw Solaris, wearing a large version of the butler uniform from the castle: a white shirt, white vest, black bow-tie, and a slick pitch black suit. Even more noticeable was his missing crown and his golden boots. “Solaris?!” Dusk exclaimed.
He cracked a smile. “Good evening to you too, Prince Dusk Shine.” Solaris put the glass pitcher down on the table. “So, can I get you anything this evening before I join you for dinner?”
“What are you doing?” Dusk asked. “And why are you dressed as a butler?”
Solaris looked down at the clothes he was wearing. “At the moment,” he answered, “I’m helping to serve us dinner. I thought that it would be best if I was the one who served it to you personally. Of course, I could have gotten any servant to do this, but knowing you, it would have made it seem… distant, I suppose.”
Dusk blinked. “Huh. That’s actually… very thoughtful of you.”
The elder alicorn smiled. “Thank you. So, could I get you anything? Perhaps a spinach salad? Or possibly some stir-fry? Maybe I could bring up a honey dandelion sandwich.”
“You’re not telling me that you’re actually going to cook anything, are you?”
The Sun Prince chuckled. “Of course not. You know that I hardly know how to cook. There’s a kitchen below deck, and the chefs are waiting to hear what you want.”
“Oh, okay then.” Dusk put a hoof to his chin and thought for a moment. “What are you going to have?”
“I was thinking of some pasta, a carrot, and broccoli in fettuccine with an alfredo sauce.”
“That… that actually sounds good,” the violet bookworm said. “Would you mind if I have that, too?”
“Of course,” Solaris nodded. “I’ll go down for a moment and tell the chefs to double the order.” Dusk saw him exit through a door for about a minute or two. Soon enough, the taller alicorn came back up, taking a seat across from the young Prince.
“They said it’s going to be about a twenty-minute wait,” his old mentor said. “So I guess in the meantime, perhaps we could talk while we’re here.”
Dusk nodded, “Solaris, where are we going?”
“Let’s see,” the elder alicorn looked around them. At the clouds, the direction of the winds, the position of the sun, and even the landscape that was moving beneath them. “Judging by where the sun is, the eastern winds, and by the look of things, we’re about between Foal Mountain and Hollow Shades. Tell me Dusk, where do you think we’re going?”
His former student looked at the signs around him too. It didn’t take long to figure out where they were headed towards. “Manehattan! We’re going to Manehattan?”
Solaris clopped his front hooves in approval. “Well done. Yes, this airship is merely a taxi, with a meal for us, going to the actual place of our date.”
“In Manehattan?”
“Well, why not? Since this is my first real date with somepony that I care deeply for and since I have all the resources (within reason) to do so, then why not make this date memorable for the both of us?”
Dusk thought for a moment before replying. “To be honest, I didn’t really think that I would be going to Manehattan for a date. I just thought we were-”
“Going to have a quiet, relaxing evening together?” Solaris finished his sentence. “Oh, don’t worry too much, Dusk. For a rare occasion such as this, I promise you that I have not only thought of that but everything else as well.”
The lilac Prince tilted his head a little. “You did?”
Solaris couldn’t help but laugh a little at this, “Of course I did. I-In truth, I have somewhat… daydreamed about how something like this would happen.”
“Really?”
Nodding, his old mentor responded. “Oh yes. For a long time, whenever the court was slow and dull, I might have had a few ideas to show how much I care for you if such an event were to occur. I have narrowed down some of those ideas off the fact that you’re more of a relaxed, intellectual pony that would prefer some quiet moments. Am I correct?”
“Well, yeah,” Dusk confessed, taking a drink from his glass. “Even after all the adventures I had with the guys and the monster attacks that threaten Ponyville or the world at large, I just want to sit down somewhere and read a good book.”
“Like old times?”
Dusk nodded.
“Which is why we’re going to Manehattan,” Solaris explained. “Except for being known to have the second highest population of rich ponies, it’s also a major cultural center and crossroad of Equestria, as well as most of the world. When we get there Dusk, I have a few quiet places to visit, as well as a few surprises, too.” Dusk took another drink of his ice water before the Sun Prince used his magic to fill it up once again with the pitcher.
“To be honest,” Dusk started, “this is actually the first time I’ve been on a date with another guy, so I really don’t know what I’m doing here. I think I’m really unprepared.”
Solaris shook his head. “Nonsense. I know ponies would like to tell you that there’s some form of etiquette when it comes to dating, but from personal experience -- as old fashioned, I maybe -- it’s actually much simpler than you expect.”
“It is?”
“Um-hum,” the white alicorn nodded, taking a drink from his glass. “All you need to do Dusk is to be polite. Be courteous to whom you’re dating. Be honest with them. Make sure you talk with your date and not at them. And most importantly of all, have some fun.” Here, Solaris took a small pocket watch from out of his vest. “I think we have a few more minutes before I bring up the food. Is there anything else you would like to talk about?”
One of Dusk’s mental notes came back to him. “Solaris, could I ask you a very personal question?”
“I don’t mind at all,” he said, putting the watch away. “What is it?”
“Just remember, you don’t have to answer this if you’re too uncomfortable about it. However, I wanted to ask you since I… found out yesterday… Does anypony else know that you’re… you know?”
“Oh…” Solaris paused, looking around the empty dock to see if anyone was listening. When he couldn’t find an eavesdropper, he said in a low voice. “Outside of you and my brother, only the most trustworthy of the palace staff know. In particular, the ones who serve in our private dining room where I can speak freely to Artie. They’re under oath – that being whatever they hear in there, stays in there. Dusk, as far as I’m aware, there have been a few guesses and theories about my sexuality, but I’m careful enough not to leave any solid evidence behind.”
“But, how come you’ve never, you know, come out in the open?”
The Prince of the Day suppressed a chuckle, “Come out? Tell the whole world that the pony they’ve been looking up to, the one they tried giving the title ‘Great’, the one who has to deal with powerful nobles with unchanging bigoted views, the one who is the expected to take wifes to produce heirs, the pony that could never do anything wrong in the eyes of his subjects, is in reality attracted to stallions? Dusk, I’m not stupid. I know what would happen if I had the audacity, to tell the truth.”
Dusk sat up in his seat. “Solaris, with all the respect I still have for you, and the wisdom that I revere so much… you’re wrong.”
The white alicorn looked up in surprise, “Come again?”
“Look,” Prince Shine deadpanned, “you were the one that decreed a bill of rights for ponies that are homosexual, right? And ever since then, ponies all over are no longer fired, or denied housing, or prohibited to get married, or kicked out of their homes under eighteen. They have the means to take care of themselves, and even the youth are protected by harassment and abuse. And this has been around for nearly a century! Ponies now don’t really view gay ponies as any different from anypony else. Solaris, even if you came out, I’m willing to bet you my new home that most of Equestria wouldn’t even care if you’re gay. Besides, you’re the embodiment of the Sun, so I think the nobility might gripe, but they will leave you alone.”
His old teacher sighed. “Dusk, that was exactly one of the reasons why I decreed those rights, to begin with. The idea that if I free ponies that were like myself from fear, prejudice, insecurity, hatred, then maybe, just maybe, I might be free as well. But after I signed it, I quickly found a paradox: the more ponies that are freed, the more I had to suppress myself just to keep this nation together. I may control the Sun, but I still have to earn and keep some ponies’ trust in me.” Here, Solaris sad sighed, “Oh Dusk, what I wouldn’t give to come out to everyone without fear or worry of what would happen next. I would give the crown, the capital, even the powers of the Sun just to not only to be free but to be with you in the open as well.”
The former student pondered this social problem, trying to think of something to make him feel better. “You know,” he said cautiously, “I’ve heard Applejack tell Applebuck, when he was caught lying about cheating on a test just so his family could appreciate him, that: ‘It’s better, to tell the truth, and get punished, than to carry a lie that will end up eating you alive. Because even if you did tell the truth and got yourself into trouble, the ponies around you would respect you more because you were willing to get yourself into trouble, rather than forever denying that you’re something you’re not.’ Solaris, even if everypony wanted you overthrown, and would call you a huge list of insults, there’s one name they won’t give you.”
“And what’s that?”
“A liar,” Dusk answered, and Solaris was speechless. His mouth opened and closed as if trying to make a comeback to that wisdom but couldn’t. For a few minutes, there was only the sound of wind and the spinning of the propeller that carried the silence. Eventually, the Sun Prince took out his pocket watch.
“I think the food should be ready,” he said getting out of his seat. “I’ll be right back,” he said before he walked away below deck, carrying the words that his beloved had spoken.
Solaris came up on deck, carrying in his aura two plates of the pasta and a bowl of still-warm sliced bread. He noticed the light was already dimming and his sense of time told him that sunset wasn’t too long from now. His attention, however, was on Dusk, who was looking at the horizon, at the sky in its darkening blues, violets, light blue, orange, and tinted reds among the clouds.
“Quite lovely, isn’t it?” This got the younger Prince’s attention. Solaris smiled as he approached the table with the food. “Personally, I’ve always loved sunsets. I’ve looked at them all my life and I’ve never once grown tired of seeing them.”
“Do you think you’re going to lower the sun now?” Dusk asked out of curiosity.
“Hm… Not quite yet. I still have some time until I turn the evening over to Artie.” The white alicorn looked up after he put the plates and bread bowl on the table. “Here, allow me.” His horn lit up and, one by one illuminated the glass lanterns overhead the deck. Dusk looked up as well, as the lanterns lit up like newborn stars over his head.
“Much better,” said Solaris approvingly, taking his seat once more. “Now let’s eat.”
“Thank you.” With that, Dusk started eating the pasta. After taking some in his mouth, he quickly concluded that the noodles were cooked perfectly, the sauce was creamy, and the carrots and broccoli were crunchy. “That’s good,” he told him. “It’s really good.”
Solaris took a bit out of his. “I agree,” he said after swallowing some of it. “I need to remind myself to thank the chefs below. This is the kind of pasta that any stallion’s mother would approve of.”
The two of them took a few moments to enjoy the meal in front of them until Dusk had a question pop into his head. “Solaris?”
“Hm?”
“I was wondering about this airship we’re on. Is this yours, or somepony else’s? This doesn’t quite match some of your tastes.”
“Ah,” the elder alicorn put down his fork, “you’re right actually. Technically, this isn’t mine. And you’re right that this ship is a bit too… flamboyant for my tastes. But it does have a functioning kitchen, though.”
“But if it isn’t yours, whose is it?”
Solaris grinned. “Bluebelle’s – or at least, one of hers anyway since she has five of these in various sizes. This is the smallest of the ships she owns, but again, it has a functioning kitchen. But don’t worry, I’m just borrowing it for tonight. And yes, she knows that I’ve borrowed it, only she doesn’t know what for.”
“Oh, okay,” Dusk looked back at his plate. “For a moment, I kinda wondered if it was stolen.”
“Why Dusk Shine, I’m shocked,” Solaris mocked with a hoof over his heart. “I would steal an airship? What would make you say that? All I’ve done was play a few practical jokes, like putting on a disguising spell to make me look like a changeling so I could give the maids a heart attack, or adding some hot sauce to Crescendo’s tea, or that time I ‘accidentally’ put itching powder into Bluebelle’s dress. What makes you think I would borrow without permission?”
Dusk blinked. “You disguised yourself as a changeling once?”
The Sun Prince chuckled. “Oh yes, but it was only that one time, though. And it was because Ms. Feather Duster took her job way too seriously. So, I thought I give her a scare to wake her up.” He laughed as he added. “All I did was ask her if she could come up and bring me some spices for my tea. She entered my room to find me going about my business but looking like a changeling. Ha! Her reaction, oh, it was just so hard not to laugh.”
Dusk couldn’t help but laugh, too. “Oh, you can be so evil at times.”
“I know.” Both of them continued to laugh for a moment until the humor subsided.
After they paused for a moment, Dusk spoke up. “Hey, Solaris, could you do something for me?”
Solaris’s ears perked up. “Of course, what is it?”
Here, the lilac Prince unfolded a wing and, with his magic, took out a scroll that he had been carrying, giving it to the elder alicorn. “Could you read this to me? It’s one of the letters that you… uh, accidently sent. This is the only one that I haven’t read, and I was somewhat hoping that you would read this aloud to me.”
The Sun Prince blinked before taking the letter into his own magic. After he unfolded it, he quickly scanned it to remember which one it was. His ears folded back and a faded blush appeared on his cheeks. “I don’t know,” he stated. “Do you really want me to read this?”
“Hey, even after reading eight of those nine surviving letters, I think it’s pretty clear that you had things you wanted to say to me but couldn’t. So I thought, ‘how about I give him the chance to actually tell me by reading the one letter I haven’t read’. In all honesty,” Dusk looked down at the table, trying to hide a blush of his own, “I’m actually looking forward in what it might say. So, would you please read it to me?”
“Well… alright then.” Solaris took a quick drink from his glass before clearing his throat. “Alright then. My Dearest Dusk Shine,
“Spring has once again come to Canterlot, but I’m afraid that this is the first time that you will not be here. As of now, it’s been almost a year since you’ve moved to Ponyville. I could probably guess by now that you’re taking some part in the tradition of Winter Wrap-Up. I think that it’ll be interesting to hear from you what your thoughts on the practice are, considering that you’ve been looking forward to having some sort of role in it.
“While you help with getting rid of the snow, Canterlot is still at work clearing its snow and awakening the animals that took shelter in the city. From outside of my window, I can see the gardeners are still at work planting new flowers for the upcoming, warmer months. All done by magic, of course, but I can’t wait to see what your take of Ponyville’s is since you told me that they never use magic to change the seasons.
“As the city is making way for spring and welcoming the green, I, in the meantime still miss you. Somehow, the season of new beginnings looks dull and muted. All the colors of flowers and the leaves on the trees seem gray to my sight. The warm air is cold to my coat, and even the clear skies don’t help me cheer up without you.
“I’m not sure where to begin in how much I miss you, my beloved. Even when I try to keep myself as busy as possible, without you, I’m struggling to see what the point of doing all this work is. Because to me, spring doesn’t start when the calendar says so, nor does it happen when the Sun gives nature its warmth. To me, spring begins when I see you smile. The flowers of gardens never bloom until your laughter echoes in my ears, and real warmth is felt in my frozen home whenever I hear you call my name.
“Please don’t forget to visit me soon, or invite me over to your home. Your letters help, but I still miss seeing you.
“Forever yours,
“Forever mine,
"Forever us…” Solaris trailed off.
Dusk meditated for a moment, taking in what was said. “So, you really do miss me sometimes?”
His old mentor folded his ears back. “Every so often.”
“Tell me something,” the younger Prince leaned forward. “All those letters you’ve written, were you writing them to me every day?”
Solaris nodded. “Ever since I realized my feelings for you, I got into the habit of writing you one every night before I went to sleep. Dusk… I really did want to show you those letters, but when Philharmonic sent them, without knowing if you would be ready or not, I panicked and tried to destroy them before you knew my greatest secret. I’ve been so careful since… well… I’d let my feelings get me into trouble before. I was once blackmailed because I told a certain stallion that I’d loved him, but he saw it as an opportunity to get what he wanted until he died.”
Dusk was taken aback at this, “You were blackmailed?”
Sighing, he answered, “Only once, but it was enough to be extra cautious when it came to matters of the heart. Since I didn’t know what your… orientation was, I had to hold it all back until I was absolutely sure. In hindsight, I believe I have underestimated your trust in me, and for that, I apologize.”
“You’re forgiven. I’m still trying to figure this out myself.”
Solaris nodded. “I understand.” He turned to the sky, taking notice of the sun on the horizon. “Would you please excuse me?” Dusk told him to go ahead and watched the elder Prince get up and walk to the railing of the airship to lower the sun. The younger alicorn also took notice that the Manehattan skyline was coming up to them as well.
“Sire,” said one of the airship’s crew while saluting the Princes, “we’re getting close to our destination.”
“I can see that.” Solaris craned his neck over at the approaching city. “Have the ponies of the Mustang Building been made aware of our arrival?”
“Of course, Your Grace,” he said. “We made sure they knew ahead of time, and we’ve already gotten their permission to do so as well.”
“Very good,” the Sun Prince smiled. “You’re dismissed.”
With a nod, the pony returned to the rest of the crew, who by now had already come out onto the deck.
With Artemis’ moon rise, Dusk Shine leaned over to the side of the flying boat to spy on the city below. Between the seemingly endless rows of streetlamps and towering skyscrapers, the city lights were mirroring the millions of stars in the night sky. He saw ponies going around in carriages and taxis, and even more on the hoof that went about like insects.
Then they came to the tallest structure in the city, topped with the head of a stallion: the great Mustang Building. There were ponies seemingly waiting for them on the observation level. A few of the pegasi flew up to the ship to grab the ropes that the crew left dangling overboard. As soon as the ropes were gripped, some of the pegasi on the ship flew over to help them tie the ship down to the building, securing the knots to make sure the ship didn’t fly off.
“Captain on deck!” somepony cried. Both Princes turned to the back of the ship to find an earth pony mare in blue descending down the steps.
“At ease everypony,” she told the crew. The captain went up to the alicorn and gave a bow. “I hope the trip here was smooth. I trust the dinner was enjoyable as well?”
“It was indeed, Captain North,” Solaris told her before realizing something and turning to Dusk. “Oh! I’m afraid I’ve nearly forgotten to introduce you to the Captain. Dusk, this is Captain True North. She’s the one who helped us get from Canterlot to Manehattan tonight.”
“Good evening to you,” the lilac alicorn offered a hoof to her, which she accepted.
“Same to you, Your Grace.” She let go of his hoof and turned to Solaris. “I’m still rather curious, your Majesty. What’s the reason for us taking you two out to Manehattan, to begin with? Is something important going on?”
“Actually, yes,” the elder Prince said. “The citizens here are about to open up a library in Dusk Shine’s honor. I thought I ought to join him for the occasion.”
“Ah, I see,” the Captain nodded, buying into the lie. “That being the case, are there any further orders on your part?”
“Yes. Make sure this ship stays put until both Prince Dusk Shine and I return – which means we might be gone for some time, so keep that in mind.”
“Aye, your Majesty,” she said, giving them a salute before turning her attention towards her crew.
Dusk saw his mentor walk over to the railing of the ship and hopped onto it. “Well, are you coming with me?”
“Going where?” the young Prince approached. “Are we going to fly somewhere?”
“Of course,” Solaris said, spreading his wings. “Now come on, let’s get going.” Before Dusk could say anything further, the Solar Prince jumped off, taking flight into the noisy night air. Sighing, the lilac alicorn opened his wings as well and began to catch up with his date.
As Dusk got closer to his former mentor, a thought came to him. This was the first time he’d been to Manehattan since the time Elusive had invited him and the guys to join him in that fashion competition. The time when his friend’s designs were stolen so they had to pitch in to come up with some new clothing on time. To the white unicorn’s credit, Elusive did learn about how to be caring, but careful. Even though it happened almost several months ago, Dusk had felt like it had been years.
Down several blocks and a few turns here and there, the younger alicorn wondered where Solaris was taking him. To his date’s credit, he did manage to slow down enough for him to catch up. “Come on, we’re almost there.”
He thought about asking him where they were going, but Dusk decided to let it drop until they got there. Suddenly, Solaris lowered himself down on the sidewalk in front of a building. A sign above its double doors read ‘Manehattan Gallery of International Art’.
“An art gallery?” Dusk turned to the white alicorn.
Solaris nodded. “This is the first stop. Since you prefer something intellectual, I thought that a good start would be a walk through a museum after closing time.”
“It’s closed?” Prince Shine gave him a confused look. “So why are we here?”
“For two reasons,” he said as he approached the door. “The first being that there will be significantly fewer ponies that would be around, which means all the more privacy for us.”
“And the other?”
Here, the Sun Prince knocked on the glass door. “When you’re a Prince, you’d be surprised at how many strings you can pull to get into some of the most restricted areas.”
As Dusk approached the doors to the gallery, a mare in a white shirt and blue hat approached the door with a set of keys in her mouth. She unlocked the doors before opening them for the two Princes. “Good evening, Your Highnesses. Come right in.”
They did so, as soon as they entered, they heard the door close before the mare locked it again. “Since this place is technically closed,” she explained, “I had to lock the door so that nopony out there would get the wrong idea. I’ll be waiting here in the lobby to let you fellas out. Sound good?”
“Um, thanks,” Dusk said.
The mare waved a hoof. “Nah, it’s all good. Just go ahead and take a look at the place. I’ll be right here.” She went up behind the desk and took out a magazine.
Solaris guided his date around the dark museum. While the main lights were off, the lamps over the paintings and sculptures still helped to illuminate their path into the depths of the museum. Every so often, they would pass rooms that were filled with expertly carved furniture. Other times it would be marble and bronze statues in various sizes. Dusk kept a comfortable distance from Solaris as they explored the rooms of various pieces of art.
“A bit for your thoughts?” Solaris asked. “We’re out of earshot from everyone, but you’ve been very quiet. So go ahead, what’s on your mind?”
“Oh, sorry,” the younger alicorn apologized. “It’s just kinda eerie being in a museum with nopony around.”
The elder laughed. “It reminds me of home really. A place where you’re surrounded by the greatest objects and ponies in the world, yet it feels empty. That is, except when you are here with me. So then, what do you want to see?”
Dusk took a moment to think about it. “Do they happen to have anything from the Impressionist Era?”
“They do actually,” Solaris grinned. “I think this gallery houses the largest collection of Van Gogh’s here outside of Prance.”
Prince Shine looked up in surprise, “Van Gogh? As in Vinneigh Van Gogh!?”
“Ah-huh,” Solaris nodded. “If I remember correctly, I think her paintings are on the second floor. Want to see them?”
“I’ve only seen her paintings from books,” Dusk confessed as he followed the white alicorn, “but I never thought I would get the chance to actually see the real paintings up close.”
“Well then, you’re in for a treat.”
After going up the stairs and following the signs that read ‘Prench Impressionism’, the two alicorns walked into a room with ten paintings, each with their own lamp hanging overhead. Dusk recognized some of the oil-painted canvases immediately. “Oh… wow.”
In the dim light, Solaris smiled, “Well, what do you think?”
Dusk slowly approached one of the paintings. He knew about this one already; it was the one where it showed a Wheatfield after harvest time. Where the sky was a clear blue and the sun glared down on the field and the stacks of golden straw. In the shadow of one of these stacks was a pony in a straw hat, trying to rest after a day’s work.
“It’s not as flat as I thought it would be,” the younger Prince commented. “You can still see the oil paint in the light so the tiny shadows are easy to see. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought it was done in a hurry, yet, even with the colors crashing together, it’s still something that you can’t take your eyes off of.”
He heard Solaris’s hooves come up behind him. “It’s funny how the paint strokes tend to wave about like a river, isn’t it? As messy as it is, this is still quite lovely.”
Dusk snorted, “Messy?”
“Yes. When you think about it, it is a messy painting with all the golds, blues, violets, blacks and greens. Yet at the same time, it’s still a clear picture of what it’s supposed to be.” He looked down and added. “Did you know that Van Gogh had only made only one sale in her lifetime? Out of hundreds of pieces of summers, of starry nights and lonely cafes, many critics and ponies at the time thought it was nothing but a mess. Can you tell me why they would have thought of that?”
Looking at the painting again, Dusk thought aloud, “Maybe at the time, ponies were more expecting the artist to be a perfectionist in their work.”
“Quite,” Solaris nodded, moving onto the next painting of a grove of trees with a couple that had their backs towards the viewer. “I don’t think I would have called Van Gogh a perfectionist. She was passionate about her work, but she was no perfectionist.”
A thought came to the lilac Prince’s mind. “Did you ever meet her?”
He nodded. “Only once. She had recently gotten out of a mad house because it was all she could afford for shelter. I was looking around, trying to find something to put inside the castle when I came across her. She was so excited for me to show up, probably thinking that I could be the one to make her name well-known. But when I saw her art for the first time, however… I was just confused. I even pointed out how none of them were exactly life-like, or in other words, perfect.
“She got angry at me. ‘You perfectionists, always the same! Always having unrealistically high standards where you’re never satisfied!’ So in short, she got upset and kicked me out. It wasn’t until later that I learned what kind of effect I had on her. She had become increasingly depressed, and I never knew. A year after our meeting, I had found out that she had committed suicide.”
Dusk was shocked and surprised, to say the least. He glimpsed over to the artist’s self-portrait of her red and orange hair, olive eyes, and peach coat with her folded wings. He imagined for a moment, one of the greatest artists of all time, being dismissed by him.
“After her death,” Solaris continued, “I’d learned a hard, but valuable lesson. In fact, each one of her paintings is a testament to that lesson.”
“What is it?”
“That imperfection – is perfection. That if you focus only on the mistakes, and not the art, you’ll never see the beauty it presents.” He looked back at the younger alicorn. “I guess, in a way, it’s one of the reasons I fell in love with you.”
“Huh?” Dusk was taken aback. “I’m not perfect?”
Solaris chuckled. “No, we are not perfect. I know that I’ve tried to present myself to you as this God of the Sun who never knew corruption nor vice, but the truth is that, as much as we want to be at our best, we can never reach it, can we?”
When he heard this, the lilac Prince folded his ears back. “Well… I guess not. As much as I try to keep things organized, I make sure all the spelling and grammar in my reports and letters are perfect, and trying to keep everypony on their best behavior around you… sometimes things just keep getting in the way. I know that I wasn’t always the best at making friends, or that I have a tendency to over-react… o-or that I too often want things to go according to plan...”
“And I let my pride get in the way of taking care of my brother,” Solaris said. “Dusk, don’t let these flaws make you feel like less of a pony than you are. Having some vices isn’t always a bad thing. It just makes you all the more… equine. And, might I add, relatable. Yes, I have given into pride, and I too tend to be too careful, and a coward when it comes to being myself. But at the same time, it’s because of these faults that you still look up to me, and I love you more for it.”
Here, putting a hoof underneath his chin, he lifted his head up so that he could look in his violet eyes.“You may not consider yourself to be perfect, but with these eyes of mine, I wouldn’t change it because you are, indeed, perfect.”
The younger Prince adverted his eyes, knowing that Solaris could see his cheeks were turning a deep shade of purple.
“Dusk, if you wouldn’t mind too much,” the Sun Prince said as he moved around to hear his side by side with him to open his right wing, “may I?”
The younger alicorn didn’t say a word, he leaned over to Solaris’s side and his wing draped over him like a blanket. “Come on,” he said, “I think there’s some Moneigh’s in the next room.”
“Just one more block,” the Solar Prince said as he and his date flew down the street. Dusk saw a clock on the way that said it was past nine in the evening. After wandering around the art gallery, he wondered what his date was planning on next.
Currently, Dusk was flying side by side with the white alicorn through the streets of native Manehattaners and tourists who snapped pictures of them as they flew by. Every so often, somepony would wave at them, or call their names just so that they would get noticed.
Then the elder alicorn touched down on the sidewalk, followed closely by the lilac Prince as he looked around the row of brick apartments. Confused, Dusk inquired, “Solaris, where are we?”
“This is our second stop,” the elder Prince informed as he trotted down an alleyway. “If I remember correctly, and if it’s still here, I think that you’ll love this place more then the last one.” The bookworm followed behind into the darkened alleyway, both his and Solaris’s horns lit up their path in the cluttered darkness until Solaris found a flight of stairs that lead downward. “It’s one of those out-of-the-way places that house an impressive collection. You just have to know where it is to find it. So if we’re lucky, it should be- Yes!”
At the bottom of the stairs near a door with a cross, wire window was a rusted sign: “Book Binder’s Rare, Valuable and Antique Books.” For Dusk Shine, his interest was immediately grabbed. Ever since the destruction of the Golden Books Library, he tried searching for some of the books that were burned in the battle.
“Allow me,” Solaris said as he opened the door as it hit a bell. The younger alicorn was let in first, taking a good look at the bookstore inside. The interior, compared to the exterior, was much warmer and inviting of its wooden bookshelves, paintings of pine trees and jagged mountains, and the smell of old books then the cold concrete and brick façade.
There were rows upon rows of books where old and new were paired side by side. From old leathery hardbacks to recent paperbacks, the shelves extended from floor to ceiling and ran down across the underbelly of the apartments above. Above each row was hoof painted signs that divided the books, from “Mystery” to “Biography” and everything in-between.
“Sorry folks,” a voice was heard as the two alicorns heard hoofsteps coming up from one of the isles. A unicorn stallion with a wrinkly gray coat, pale sandy colored mane with a black tie appeared from the “Fantasy” section, carrying in his magic a small pile of books. “I was just closing shop for the…”
“Oh, forgive us,” Solaris said, “I was hoping that this place was still opened, but I suppose we could find-”
“Wait!” the aged stallion interrupted. “Prince Solaris and Prince Dusk Shine!”
The younger alicorn nodded awkwardly. “We’re sorry for bothering you.”
“Bothering me?” The shopkeeper put his pile of books down on a desk. “Oh not at all! Please do come in, both of ya. I was just about to close up, but I think I could keep it open for you two to look around.”
“Oh,” Dusk blinked. “Why, thank you.”
The old unicorn went up to Solaris. “I would bow to ya, except I have some back problems, you see.”
“That’s quite alright,” Solaris said, offering his right forehoof. “A simple hoofshake will do just nicely.”
The unicorn grasped it, shaking it. “What an honor for you to come back to this shop once more. I’m not sure if you remember, but you were with my dad on the day this place opened. Look, I still keep the picture up on display, too.”
Dusk looked over to where the old unicorn was gesturing at. Hanging from a wooden beam was a framed black and white photo of Solaris and a younger looking stallion about Dusk’s age, both shaking hooves.
“I do remember,” Solaris told him. “Your father was quite the collector and sales pony.”
“Thank you kindly,” the unicorn smiled. “I’m Book Binder’s son, but you can just call me Records.” He turned to shake Dusk’s hoof and said, “Also, I heard about the Golden Oaks in Ponyville. I’m so sorry about what happened.”
“You’re fine,” Dusk muttered. “I’m just trying to put my life back together. As well as trying to find some replacement of a few… missing books.”
“Well, you’re in the right place. This shop has a collection of rare books, so I trust you might find something here.”
“Thank you,” Dusk said as he walked over to the “History” section, Solaris following behind.
“If Your Highnesses need anything, just ask,” Records called out as they went in between the rows of bookshelves.
Soon, Dusk scanned the titles and authors, trying to see if he could find any of them that would replace the damaged books.
“So,” Solaris began, “...do you still miss the library Dusk?”
The lilac alicorn picked up a book to look through its contents. With a sigh, he replied, “I guess I do in a way. I think Spines does, too.” He put the book back in its place, and as he searched on, Solaris could see a nostalgic smile creep on his beloved’s face. “The library was the first place that I could really call home. A place where I could live on my own for the first time because of all the memories that were made in there. Like the first time, Barry threw a welcome party for us. Or when Applejack and Elusive had to stay over because there was a storm outside. Ha, and I can’t keep count of the number of times Rainbow Blitz had crashed into that place. It’s really surprising that it stood up for that long. Well, until...”
Solaris saw his date’s mood turn gloomy before he pulled him to his side with his wing. “I’m sorry for bringing it up.”
Dusk shook his head. “No, you’re fine, it’s just that I… miss it sometimes. I know I should really move on, but with this new crystal palace in its place, it just doesn’t feel the same.”
“Look, I know moving after something this tragic is hard,” the Solar Prince reassured him, “but you need to keep in mind that home isn’t a place with four walls and a roof over it; that’s a house. A home is a state of mind where you’re surrounded by the most valuable things in the world that no one could replace. Things like family, friends, lovers even to grow new memories in, to feel safe in, and for you to grow beyond your past.”
“I guess you’re right,” Dusk nuzzled the side of the white alicorn’s neck. “Thanks, I need that.”
Solaris gently smiled, releasing his beloved underneath his wing. “Speaking of family, have you heard from any of them lately?”
“I did, actually,” the lilac alicorn said as he picked up a book. “My parents are still in Canterlot. Dad is planning on writing a new book and Mom is looking for a new job in astronomy. My big sis and Crescendo are pretty much bored out of their minds since there’s hardly anything going on in the Empire. But,” Dusk turned back to his date with a smile, “she says that she might be pregnant.”
“What?” Solaris asked in surprise. “I didn’t hear about this.”
“Well, Gleaming isn’t exactly certain of it yet,” Dusk explained. “They’re still running a few more tests just to be absolutely sure.” Then, a thought came across the bookworm’s mind, “Hey Solaris, had you ever had a family?”
The elder alicorn paused at this. For a moment, he hesitated. Ears folding back, Dusk thought that he crossed a personal line with him. Dusk was about to apologize until Solaris spoke, “Outside of my brother and Bluebelle, the only other family that I ever knew was about our father. You wouldn’t find him in any history book or in any collection of fairy tales since he keeps disappearing and reappearing.
“In our earliest memories, we could tell you about how most of the time, we were alone, trying to survive. But whenever we got into major trouble, he would show up to save us. Whenever he did, he would take the time to be with us. When times were harsh and Equestria was still but a distant dream, Father was the one to keep me and Artemis together. We were never hungry or cold or hurt, although he took on those burdens for us.”
Dusk saw in his mentor a bittersweet look in his smile and shining eyes. “The last time either of us ever saw him was at our coronation. He was in the very back, smiling at what we’d become. After that, he pulled us aside to tell us that he was so proud. But suddenly, just like that, he disappeared. Dusk, to this day, neither of us knows where he is. I don’t know if he’s even still alive.”
Feeling empathy, Dusk Shine wrapped his forelegs around Solaris’s neck. “I’m sorry.”
Solaris shook his head but hugged back. “Don’t be. You had nothing to do with it. I’m rather impressed, though. You’re the first pony in centuries to ask me that question.”
The younger alicorn let go. “One more thing. Out of curiosity, do you remember what your Father’s name was?”
His former mentor smiled, “Ha, I do actually, and Father’s name was very unusual, even for a pony like him.”
“What was it?” Dusk asked, spotting an intriguing book on the shelf.
“Lawrence,” Solaris answered, “His name was Lawrence Faust.”
“Huh? You’re right, that’s a really odd name for a pony. I wonder what it meant.”
“It doesn’t matter now,” the Sun Prince pointed out as he picked a book off the shelves. “Let’s not dwell on the past too much. For now, we have a date to experience, and a few more places to go before the night is over.”
Dusk agreed as he selected a book off the shelf to take home with him.
The Prince of Friendship was happy. From the bookstore, he and Solaris found fifteen books to be brought back into Ponyville’s library collection. Although Dusk still had some ways to go before recovering the library’s books of stories, poems, histories, and research books, this still felt a step forward for him. After the owner told him that he could have the books for free, his date helped him transport the books over to the ship for safekeeping.
His date… Dusk looked to the side, eyeing the white alicorn that was flying beside him in the night sky. He’d learned more about his best friend tonight than he had in all the years spent as his student. And in the last couple of hours, he’d been treated as if he was something more sacred than the Sun that Solaris had control over. Not only was he practically worshiping the very ground that his hooves walked upon, but he even revealed a few things about himself that Dusk never knew.
As they flew over taxis and tourists, Dusk Shine began to wonder. After the date was over, would his relationship with his old mentor change? Would things go back to normal? ‘Do I even want things to go back to the way they were?’ he thought.
He took another glance at Solaris’s face that was so calm, happy and at peace. ‘He’s shown that he could become something even greater than just a friend,’ Dusk thought. ‘I wonder if this is what it’s like for Harpsy when he’s with Bar Bar. I’ll admit it, this date is rather…’ His mind trailed off as they made a turn to another street. ‘So does this prove it? Could I really feel like that for him? E-Even so, where do we go from-’
His thoughts were interrupted as the Sun Prince slowed down and landed in front of a restaurant that Dusk could see was nearly packed with ponies.
“Is this our next stop?” the lilac Prince asked.
“No,” Solaris admitted, “this is a rather short detour before our actual, last stop.”
The young alicorn looked at the words that were on the windows. “Sweet Tooth’s Cheesecake: Open 24 Hours.” Prince Dusk also noticed some of the ponies inside that were the closest to the windows were now taking notice of them. As he and Prince Solaris went to the entrance, they could see the crowd was growing in number, each pony trying to take a good look at who was entering the restaurant.
Once they were inside, there was a lot of noise going around. Above the music coming from the speakers of some recent pop songs, there was a lot of talking, shouts, and greetings from the customers inside. Many of the ponies that were standing took a moment to bow to the both of them, while those who were sitting down raised their glasses or silverware to them.
Solaris put on his usual warming smile, saying things like, “Hello,” and “Good evening,” and “Thank you very much everypony.” Dusk on the other hoof simply nodded to them.
As they got closer to the register, a teenage stallion was putting bits away into the register. “Just a sec,” he said as the cash register closed, whipping his eyes towards them. “Sorry about that, welcome to Sweet Tooth’s Cheesecake, how may I…” he trailed off once he looked up to find Prince Dusk Shine there, along with a very tall white alicorn. The teenager craned his neck up, “help… you?”
“Good evening,” Solaris nodded, then looked at the chalkboard menu.
“Y-Y-Your Highnesses,” the employee stumbled over his speech, “I-I didn’t know y-you w-were c-c-coming.”
“Neither did I,” Dusk muttered.
“Um,” the teen looked around, “S-Should I get you guys a m-menu o-or-”
“Take out,” the Solar Prince interrupted. “I want to have the triple chocolate cheesecake, no cream but plenty of caramel sauce.” He turned to the younger alicorn. “And what will you have?”
As the pegasus behind the cash register tried to process what was going on, Dusk looked up at the board as well, and spotted a particular item on the menu, “Can I have the Red Velvet, but have it plain, please?”
Snapping at the surreal moment he was having, the teen pressed some buttons on the register. “That’ll be twenty-three bits, Your Highness. So should I-” He was cut off when Solaris plopped a large bag of bits onto the counter.
“You can keep the change,” the Solar Prince told him.
“Um… right,” the employee took the bag of heavy bits behind the counter. “Do you want any forks and napkins with your order?”
_*_
With the slice of cheesecake in his aura, along with a black plastic fork and cheap white napkins, Dusk Shine followed Solaris once more to their last destination of the evening. They moved away from the loud and crowded restaurant and were now in the cool, but empty night air, flying away from the city.
They flew over the inky black waters that the island city was surrounded by. By Solaris’s direction, they were headed toward the only bridge that connected the city to the rest of Equestria. They flew up to one of the bridge’s steel spires that rose above the sea below.
“We’re here,” Solaris announced as they landed on the very top of one that overlooked the city’s skylight. They could easily see their airship still tied to the Mustang Building, as well as a view of the great Manehattan statue that faced the sea.
Dusk also noticed that they found a velvet couch along with a record player on a stand that had a few records leaning on its side. “Did you have somepony set this up?” he wondered aloud.
“Of course,” his date said as he landed next to the couch, that was facing the city. He took a seat on one side of it. “A result of favor I asked the mayor here, and by the look of things, she fulfilled it. Come, sit with me.” He said, patting the other cushion.
Dusk, feeling a little bit timid, sat on the royal red couch next to his date. He also saw Solaris’s aura light up the phonograph, turning the handle until the record started to spin. Using his magic, he also grabbed one of the records to put on the turntable before placing the needle on it. And out of the horn came a slow piano with a descending scale.
“Now, let’s eat,” the elder alicorn said, opening his white cardboard box to reveal the treasure inside. The younger Prince took his example and started to eat as the air had nothing but the soft music that the record was playing.
The two of them sat there in silence. They watched the small movements of the sleepless city morph and change with its lights and ponies that wandered about like a waterfall made of lights. There was strange tranquility of watching a city at a distance, eating good cheesecake on a soft couch while sitting next to the most wonderful pony that Dusk had ever known.
Eventually, Prince Shine broke the stillness. “Solaris, can I ask-”
“Another personal question?” he interrupted but chuckled as he answered. “Again, I don’t mind at all. What’s on your mind?”
“Well…” Dusk thought for a moment before inquiring, “Before you ever met me, were there any… you know, other stallions that you had fallen in love with?”
Solaris nodded. “Not many, but there were a few throughout the centuries that had captured my attention. Even before Artemis turned to Nightterror Nebula, there were a few that I had developed a crush over and even fewer that I had fallen in love with.
“For example, my first love was with a knight. At the time, I was the first to allow both mares and stallions allowed into the Royal Guard. His name was Axe Blade, but when I first developed feelings for him, I kept it hidden since he had his eye on a mare, and I knew that it wouldn’t have worked out.
“Then there was the Archduke that had caught my eye three hundred years after Artie’s banishment. I guess you might know him as Moonstone, Archduke of Fillidelphia?”
“You mean the first Duke of Fillidephia?” Dusk asked in surprise, “I never knew you were in love with him. But, wasn’t he married?”
“In truth,” the white alicorn turned away, ears folding back and a blush on his cheeks. “He and I had an affair for a few years. I don’t believe his wife had ever found out about it, but he broke it off because he got paranoid that we might get caught somehow.
“Several years later I fell in love with a painter, but he didn’t return such feelings to me. Then it was a writer named Haiku Pose. He was also an ambassador so, while we rarely saw each other, we often wrote to each other. I remember that he wrote these passionate letters in his style of poetry. However, he had made me keep a promise that I would burn the letters after I’d read them so nopony would ever find out.
“Then there was a butler that I never told, a composer who committed suicide, and a pony that had blackmailed me until he died.” Solaris turned to Dusk and said, “But when you came along, however, as you might have guessed from what remained of the love letters I never meant to send, my love for you grew with time. And now you’ve performed the miracle of asking me out on a date. For this, my beloved Dusk, I don’t believe there’s any word in Equestrian, or in any other language for that matter, to describe such deep gratitude I have for you giving me this chance.”
“Well… to be honest,” Dusk confessed, looking down at the remains of his dessert. “I uh… I rather enjoyed doing this. This being my first date with the same gender and all, I didn’t find anything that different compared to the other dates I’ve been on except… well… this was just wonderful, plain and simple. I mean, if I ever got the chance to do this again… I uh…”
“Yes?” Solaris asked, his ears perked up, having his full attention at his former student.
“I… would do this again,” he muttered softly, yet his date was able to hear it. For a moment, neither of them spoke, until Dusk spoke up again. “Solaris, can I tell you something very, very personal?”
He nodded.
“Just…” Dusk looked away; trying to hide the blush that he could feel was coming on his face, “don’t ever tell the guys that I said this, alright?”
“Of course, what is it?”
The lilac alicorn took a deep breath and said, “I may have gone on a few dates with a few mares, and yes, even with one or two with Bonnie in the Human World but… I-I…”
“Take your time,” Solaris put a hoof on his beloved’s shoulder.
“I… I’ve never… you know… kissed anypony before.”
There was a pause between the two stallions. The Sun Prince’s eyes went wide while the Prince of Friendship was doing his best to hide his face from him.
“Oh,” the elder said softly. “Dusk, look, I completely understand that-”
“H-However,” Dusk cut him off. “I’ve been thinking. If I’m going to have my first kiss with anypony, it has to be someone that I trust absolutely, correct?”
“Well, of course,” Solaris agreed. “I understand fully that you wouldn’t.”
“So,” Dusk got off the couch to face him, his face was turning bright red, eyes darted in every direction and his ears folded back. “I-I was wondering… I-I mean, just out of curiosity and all. Well, maybe not exactly curiosity but rather an, well… a-an experiment to… uh…”
“Dusk,” Solaris interrupted, “are you asking me what I think you’re asking?”
“I-I mean,” the young Prince stuttered, with sweat running down his forehead, “You don’t have to if you don’t really wanna. I mean sure, it’s clear that you trot that way, but I-I don’t want you to think I’m imposing or-”
“Yes.”
The bookworm blinked, “Yes what?”
Solaris chuckled, “Dusk,” he said getting up from his seat, “it would be an honor and a privilege for me to be your first kiss. It’s really incredible that you are the one who is asking me to.”
“I know.”
The Prince of the Sun slowly walked up to the younger alicorn, bend his neck down to his eye-level, put a hoof under his chin to make him look up to him.
“Uh, S-Solaris,” Dusk said, “w-what do I do?”
“Do?” the white alicorn smiled, “First, tilt your head a little to your right,” he did so, “close your eyes,” Dusk did as he said. “Now, with your permission… may I?”
Dusk gave a small nod, and a moment later, something miraculous happened. For the first time, the very first time, Prince Dusk Shine of Ponyville and Friendship, received a real kiss on his lips. He was aware that his head saw glowing bright red like a neon sign, and his wings couldn’t help but unravel, but at that moment, he didn’t care. It was as if every problem and worry he ever had, they were now melting like ice on a summer’s day. He couldn’t help but enjoy this warmth that the very God of the Sun was giving to him.
For the young Prince, he couldn’t tell if this kiss lasted for a whole eternity or a few seconds. But for Dusk, it didn’t matter now that his mouth was surrendering to this moment. Even when he stuck his tongue in-
Suddenly, Prince Shine stepped back, breaking the kiss out of embarrassment. Gasping, he said, “Solaris! I-I’m so sorry! W-Was that supposed to happen or-” Solaris kissed him again. Answering his question was a slightly aggressive kiss than before. It took a moment for the violet alicorn to get the message, but once he did, he melted once again. Dusk could have sworn that he experienced two things: Solaris’s laughter, and the taste of chocolate and caramel.
This time, it was the Solar Prince who broke the kiss. With a hoof to wipe his mouth, he said, “My, my Dusk, I’m really impressed. Oh, here,” his horn lit up, taking one of the cheap napkins to clean the saliva around the younger Prince’s mouth. “Better… so… did you like it?”
“I… I think I did,” Dusk confessed, “That was… I never thought… wow.”
Solaris laughed, “I think that rather sums it up.” He also took notice that there was no more music playing, looking over at the phonograph, he levitated the other records over to him, and selected a waltz to play.
As soon as the new piece of music was playing, Solaris went up to his beloved with a solemn face, his neck craning high and legs perfectly straight.
“Uh, Solaris?” Dusk was about to ask until his former mentor offered him a hoof.
“Prince Dusk Shine,” he said, “would you honor me with this waltz?”
The younger alicorn didn’t think twice when he put his hoof in his. “It would be my pleasure.”
Soon they were on their hind legs, with Solaris looking down and Dusk looking up. They danced alone on top of the metal spire. The Sun Prince kissed his love on the forehead. “Have I told you lately, that I love you Dusk?”
Dusk laughed. “I think I already know that by now… So, Solaris? Would it be weird to say that I think, I might be falling for you also?”
“Nonsense,” he said, “I wouldn’t mind at all.”
As they continued to dance and the music drew to a crescendo, neither of them noticed the “click” of a camera, nor the flutter of wings.
Spines stopped her pacing for a moment to look at the clock on the mantle. Again. It was now 1:17 in the morning and Dusk still hadn’t returned to their guest room. She half expected that they would be gone late, but she thought that perhaps the two Royals might come back by around midnight.
‘It’s been over six hours,’ she thought as she paced around the room with turquoise in her claw. ‘I’ve heard about long romantic dates, but this is a bit much. What in Equestria have they been doing?’ She looked at the clock again. ‘I really hope Dusk is alright. Oh come on, he’s with one of the most powerful alicorns in the world for crying out loud! Solaris wouldn’t let him get hurt in any way. Maybe they’re just headed back from… wherever they’ve gone to. That’s it, any moment now, Dusk is gonna walk through those doors, and I can get some sleep…’
1:20.
“Oh for crying out loud,” the dragoness muttered as she went to open the doors to their room, finding the very alicorn in question about to open the door himself. She also noticed the stack of books on his back.
“Dusk! There you are,” she said as she let him through.
“Spines? Have you been up this whole time?” he asked, lighting his horn to place the stack of books down and to unbutton his vest.
“Do you know what time it is?” his assistant questioned. “It’s one past midnight. I thought you guys would have been back an hour ago.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry about that,” the Prince of Friendship apologized as his tie pin and tie became undone. “We got so distracted that I guess we lost of time.”
Spines went over to pick up her comics. “And speaking of you guys, how’d it go?”
“Huh?”
“The date,” she clarified. “How was your guys’ date? Did it go well?”
“Oh. Yeah, actually, it did.” Dusk said with a grin.
“And?”
“And what?”
“Come on Dusk,” she said, putting the comics next to the snacks that she had indulged in. “You guys have been gone for hours. So what did you and Solaris do this whole time?”
“Well,” the alicorn said, unbuttoning his white shirt, “for starters, we went to Manehattan.”
“What?! You guys went all the way to Manehattan for a date?!”
“Hey, it was Solaris’s idea,” Dusk pointed out. “We flew by airship so we could get over there and back. Anyway, we had dinner while we flew over there, and then we went into an art gallery after closing time-”
“Okay, stop right there,” Spines interrupted. “Did Solaris get permission for you guys to be in there?”
“Of course, he told them ahead of time. Anyway, after we viewed some Impressionist Era paintings, we went to an out-of-the-way book store. We were able to find copies of a few books that were destroyed at the Golden Oaks, which is good.”
“Oh, so that explains that then, huh?” she pointed at the pile of books that Dusk came in with.
The lilac Prince nodded. “Afterwards, we grabbed some cheesecake at this twenty-four-hour place and spent the rest of the night on top of the Manehattan Bridge, taking in the view of the city.”
“That sounds like quite the night, Dusk,” the dragoness commented. “So how was Solaris? Was he good to you?”
Dusk couldn’t help but smile, and even laugh a little at the mentioning of his date’s name. “Yeah, he was actually.”
Spines sighed in relief. “Good, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”
“Maybe you really should head to bed.”
“So should you,” she pointed out. “It’s already late as it is. Now come on, let’s catch some Z’s.”
“Fair enough,” Dusk sighed as they went to their beds before shutting off the lights. Although the alicorn climbed into bed and under the sheets, he wasn’t sure if he would be able to sleep that night. Not that he would, that is, with the memories of his date that was made.
_*_
Meanwhile, Artemis had just finished his midnight lunch and was headed towards his tower to prepare himself for some nightmare hunting in the Dream Realm. Looking out of a window he was passing by, his mind turned to his older brother. He hadn’t heard from anypony if Solaris had returned yet, and he was starting to worry about him. The sky was still clear and the moon was waxing. However, he couldn’t see anything out there to suggest that his elder brother had-
It was in that moment that he began to hear the sound of somepony humming loudly, along with a rhythm of hooves upon the marble floor. His ears perked up, detecting the sound was coming from another hallway.
Artemis followed the humming and the clip-clop of hooves until he found the very pony he was worrying over, as well as a very rare look at Solaris's dancing alone with a gleeful look on his face. He was wearing a black suit with a white collar shirt, and an untied bow-tie that swayed with him as he danced.
“I take it that your date with Dusk Shine went well?” With that, the Prince of the Night brought the Prince of the Day back into reality.
“Artie!” Solaris’s eyes shot open and immediately tried to regain his regal posture. “Forgive me, I didn’t see you there,” he said with a hint of embarrassment.
“So I’ve noticed,” Artie deadpanned. “Perhaps it’s safe to assume that your date with Dusk Shine went well?”
The Sun Prince chuckled. “Better than I imagined it would have turned out. In short, it was quite wonderful.”
Artemis sighed in relief. “And I can also assume that Dusk didn’t take advantage of you in any way?”
This had gotten his elder brother’s attention. “What do you mean?”
“Did he treat you with some form of disrespect or humiliate you in any way?”
“Oh no, he didn’t do any of the sort. He was a gentlecolt the whole time.”
“Good,” the azure alicorn nodded. “Now then, perhaps it’s about time you retire to bed.”
Solaris smiled, “After tonight, I don’t think I could if tried.”
Artemis raised an eyebrow, “Why?”
“Because our time together was just so good,” he answered, making his younger brother roll his eyes.
“Come on lover colt, you need your rest like anypony else.”
“But I don’t think-” he was cut off when the Prince of the Night lifted him off the ground.
“I will not take a ‘no’ for an answer. You are going to bed,” Artemis said as he carried his elder sibling to his room.
“Oh come on Artie,” Solaris said, trying to get out of his brother’s grip. “I can get to my room myse-”
“Sol, I know you. If you don’t get some sleep, you will not function the next morning. Besides, we both know what some insomnia could do to either of our judgment. Remember the time you let me take care of Day Court?”
“But that was only one time-”
“One day is plenty enough for me to learn how much of a stressful job you had to do, o’ brother of mine.”
The two of them went back and forth until Prince Artemis reached his brother’s room, which he threw him in, closed the door and told him, “Go to sleep Solaris, don’t make me come in there to put a sleeping spell on you.”
“And who’s being the older brother here?” the Sun Prince questioned.
Not wanting to deal with this, the azure Prince turned around.“Go to bed, Sol.”
_*_
Hours later, Prince Solaris woke up, feeling groggy from the lack of sleep he received last night. To his luck, he was able to drift into slumber for a while, until his internal clock told him it was time to raise the Sun.
Slumping off the low bed, Solaris mindlessly marched over to the glass door of his balcony that overlooked eastern Equestria. From force of habit, he mindlessly lit up his horn, causing the dark skies to gain color before exploding in the brilliant light of the Sun.
The Sun Prince closed his eyes as the Sun climbed out of the horizon, trying to get his eyelids to adjust to the light before he could open them. Once he was able to see again, he overlooked at the dawn of his and his brother’s country.
As he stood there, his mind began to start back up again, trying to remember last night. He remembers Dusk, the dinner, Van Gogh, books, cheesecake, and the-
Solaris shook his head. Perhaps Dusk Shine was up already, and maybe he could see him in the private dining room for breakfast. And if he wasn’t, Solaris could wait for him. Deciding on the plan, he started to head his way down to have something to eat.
At the dinner table, he found not only the young prince and his assistant but Artemis as well.
“You’re late,” the azure brother commented, “but Dusk was able to save you some bagels.”
“Thank you,” the Solar Prince said as he took his seat that was the closest to the lilac alicorn.
“Morning Solaris,” Dusk said as he gave him the plate of bagels and a bowl of whipped cream cheese.
The elder Prince smiled and accepted the simple meal. “Dusk,” he said as he spread the white, fluffy cheese on the bagel, “you did say that you were staying here in Canterlot for a few days, correct?”
“Yeah, I was thinking that we could stay here until tomorrow morning.”
“Oh good,” Solaris nodded. “Dusk, I was wondering... since you haven’t gotten to grips with Equestrian politics as of late, would you like to come to assist me with Day Court?” This got both Dusk’s and Artemis’s attention. “Since you are a Prince now, perhaps you could help me with some of the decisions, and be a kind of the second opinion, so to speak. Would you be interested in doing something like this?”
The Prince of Friendship smiled. “Of course, I guess it would be good practice for me to get involved. But maybe we should have some breakfast first before we get into that.”
“Agreed,” the elder Prince said as he took his first bite of the bagel.
_*_
“Here are your newspapers, milady,” a butler said, placing the tray of five, ironed out newspapers onto the expansive dining table before the white unicorn.
The Princess nodded, swallowing the imported tea. Her horn glowed as she picked up the newspaper on the very bottom. For Bluebelle, the first thing she would do after she had breakfast was to read the top five major and trusted newspapers from all over Equestria. And the first one she picked up was the Manehattan Times.
She took a sip of her tea before she flipped the paper right side up, and when she did, her eyes widened while she spat the bitter tea to the side. “WHAT!?” she screamed as she got a closer look at what was on the front page.
“Presenting the Duke of Baltimare, Lemon Lime,” the page announced as the doors to the throne room opened up. In walked a stallion with a yellow coat, a green mane that was pulled back, and an expensive white suit with a document in his aura.
The Duke paused for a moment when he found that Prince Solaris wasn’t alone. Sitting next to him on a dark violet cushion was the new Prince Dusk Shine.
Solaris gave the new visitor his warm smile. “Duke Lemon Lime, long time, little see. Do come in,” he gestured for the stallion to approach.
The unicorn did as he was told with a look of confusion on his face. “It pleases me to see Your Majesty once more,” he said as the Duke bowed, “but may I ask why Prince Dusk Shine is here with you? I don’t think I’ve heard from anypony that he’s been taking up politics, has he?”
“Actually,” the lilac Prince told him, “I’m here to get some experience in how politics in court work. Prince Solaris here is giving me the chance to help decide things so that way I would have a good idea in what to do.”
“Oh, I see,” Lemon Lime turned to the Sun Prince. “This does sound reasonable to me, Sire. It does sound like good practice for the young Prince for the future when the opportunity calls for it.”
“That’s the idea,” the white alicorn nodded. “So Duke Lime, what brings you to Canterlot today?”
“Ah right, down to business,” he said as the unicorn unrolled a scroll. “I’m here on behalf of Baltimare. You see, the citizens there have agreed that some remodeling for the schools should be done because they’re close to falling apart. While the plans are drawn out and many are willing to lend a hoof to the project, however, we found that our budget is a little too low. So I’ve come here in hopes that your Majesty would sign this to agree to send some funding to this project. I think that I speak on behalf of the city that future generations of Baltimare’s citizens would benefit from these updated schools.”
“May I see the document?”
“Of course, Your Grace,” the unicorn gave the elder alicorn the document, where both he and Prince Shine took a look at it.
“Hmm… Thirty-five hundred bits in funding… Dusk, what do you think?”
“I think it’s a good idea,” the lilac Prince said, pointing a hoof at some of the writing. “Look, it says that the money would go into improving the safety of the buildings, giving students more room, and expanding the libraries, too. You know that I’m always a supporter of improving and expanding education. If the funding is sent, the educational value for foals and future children will benefit from it.”
Solaris looked at the document once more, then he nodded. “I agree.” He took out a pen, already dipped in ink, and signed his name on it. “I’ll make sure that the funding will be sent to Baltimare as soon as tomorrow.”
“Oh, thank you, Sire,” the Duke said with a grin as he took the document back. “Prince Shine sounded very wise in helping with the decision. The citizens and foals of Baltimare thank you,” he said, ending it with a bow, walking backward away from the throne.
Dusk looked around the room that was surrounded not only by the Solar Guard, but groups of advisors, nobles, and a hoofful of reporters that sat in a corner, looking completely bored out of their minds. Meanwhile, Solaris called one of the maids over, asking for a drink of water.
“How are you holding up so far?” the solar alicorn whispered.
“I think I’ll be okay,” Dusk replied, “So far, I haven’t run into anything that I couldn’t handle. Is Day Court always like this?”
“It depends on- oh, thank you,” Solaris said as the maid came back with a glass of ice water with a sliced lime on the cup. “It all depends on what’s going on today. Sometimes it would be petitions or a few minor complaints that would be sorted out easily. Other times it would be snobbish nobles asking for the impossible, and that’s where the real stress of the job lies.”
“Presenting Princess Bluebelle of Canterlot,” the page cried on the other end of the room.
The Sun Prince sighed. “Speak of which.” He put down the glass and told them to let her in.
As the double gilded doors opened up, in marched a very annoyed looking mare with a newspaper in her aura. The blond unicorn stopped as she saw who else was next to the throne.
“Ah, just the Princes that I needed to speak with,” she said as she approached the two stallions. “Uncle Solaris,” she said, “out of all the press scandals that have ever mentioned your name, I think that the vermin of this paper has officially reached rock bottom.”
“What’s the problem now Bluebelle?” the Prince of the Day asked in a monotone voice.
“The problem,” she pointed to him and Dusk Shine, “is the slander, no, the disgusting lie that they’ve published on the front page. I mean, have either of you taken a look at the Manehattan Times lately? It’s positively revolting!”
At the mentioning of this, Solaris stiffen up.
“No, why,” Dusk inquired, “What do they say?”
She hoofed over the newspaper in question, both Solaris and Dusk looked at the pictures of them flying around the city, and an even bigger picture of them dancing on top of one of the metal spires of the Manehattan Bridge.
An Imperial Romance in Manehattan?
Manehattan, Equestria.
Last night, the city received an unexpected, surprise royal visit by Prince Solaris and Prince Dusk Shine. At around after eight thirty, the two royals were seen flying through the streets, (see lower left) and dressed in formal wear instead of their crowns.
It was around this time that our journalistic team started its investigation into this surprise visit. Starting at the top of the Mustang Building, where a small airship, the E. A. S. Compass Rose baring the stately seal of Equestria, was parked for hours, waiting for the two Princes to return around midnight.
“We’re waiting on the Princes,” Captain True North said. “They’ve been gone because Prince [Dusk] Shine has an opening of a library in his honor, so Solaris has gone with to support him.”
However, our sources indicated that there was no library opening that night, nor were there any plans to open one. In fact, there was no reason for either Prince to come to the city that night that required their presence. No schedules were made for such a visit, so why were the two in Manehattan to begin with?
Our investigation team interviewed some ponies off the street. One eyewitness was interviewed by us not a few minutes ago after saying that he saw them.
“I was on my way home when suddenly I saw them flyin’ overhead, side by side,” said Pen Stroke, a tourist from Applewood. “They went down there to Eleventh Street before they made a sharp turn. Ya know, there was something funny about those Princes… it’s like they flew kinda close with no personal space.”
At Sweet Tooth’s Cheesecake on Sixth and Willow St, Screw Driver, age 16, was working on the evening night shift when the two Princes came into the Restaurant. “It was so weird,” he told us outside of the establishment. “Those guys came in, and they, of all things, order take out… I did notice that neither Prince left the other’s side while we were getting their to-go. Even weirder still, there were no guards anywhere. Isn’t that odd?”
Our investigation team couldn’t determine where Prince Solaris and Dusk Shine had gone during their visit. Nopony could figure out what they had been doing until one of our photographer journalists (who wishes to remain anonymous) said that he followed the Royals to one of the spires of the Manehattan bridge.
According to him, he was there to witness something staggering. “I was at a distance, and even though I couldn’t hear what they were sayin’. I could see them… For the most part, they didn’t do much except talk and eat something. But just when I was about ta get up, I saw them kissing on the lips. Twice. I was so shocked that I almost let my camera fell into the water below. But once I caught it, I tried to set the thing up, puttin’ the film in and unscrewing the flash bulb so I wouldn’t be seen. And when I got up there, I took this.” (See larger photo above.)
So what does this mean? Is the Prince of the Day in a relationship with the Prince of Friendship, or is there something else to this story? The Manehattan Times can’t confirm if they are a couple since there’s no evidence to support this claim except for the photograph that was taken of the two dancing.
Until Solaris or Dusk Shine comes forward to prove or disprove the claim, last night’s visit will remain a mystery to the citizens of Manehattan, if not to the rest of Equestria.
Dusk looked over to Solaris, his eyes wide and had a look of nervousness after he read the article.
“Uncle Solaris,” Bluebelle said, “You’ve got to tell them this is completely untrue and punish those that would paint you and Dusk in such a disgusting perception. This has to be some huge misunderstanding, right?”
The solar alicorn didn’t reply.
“Uncle Solaris? It is completely untrue, isn’t it?”
The bookworm stood up, “May I have a private word with-” he was cut off when a white hoof was lifted before him. Dusk glanced at the elder alicorn, and he gave him a questioning, uncertain look. In that moment of silence, both stallions took a look around the room, at the guards turning their heads, the nobles, advisors, and the small group of reporters with curiosity.
“Solaris,” Dusk whispered, “please remember, I’m right here for you.”
“Well?” Bluebelle said, “Are you going to denounce this?”
The Sun Prince paused for a moment, then he looked at his niece in the eye and said, “No.”
“No?” the aristocratic Princess was taken aback, “What do you mean, ‘No?’”
“Bluebelle,” Solaris stood up, “I mean what I’ve said. No, I’m not going to denounce it.”
“But Uncle,” she whined, “They’re practically calling you two stallion-stuffers in black and white.”
“Niece of mine,” he said, “I… I’m not going to… I-I won’t deny something that is true.”
The throne room went as dead quiet as a graveyard.
“Uncle,” Bluebelle broke the hesitation, “I don’t understand.”
Sighing, he looked at every single pony in the room, all of them mystified in what he meant in that statement before turning to Dusk. He looked at him as if saying that no matter what happens, he would be here to defend him.
“The truth is Bluebelle,” he said, looking at her directly. “Is that… I… Prince Solaris Everfree, co-ruler of Equestria… the embodiment of the Sun… the Sole Protector of the Equines; Emperor of the Mohalneigh Islands; the Deliverer of Peace, Reason, and Tolerance for the World; Torchbearer of the Morning; Son of Lawrence Faust, will not deny this because… I’m gay.”
Eyes went wide and jaws slammed to the floor. For one, tense moment like the tightening of a spring, Prince Solaris expected a backlash of some sort. He expected the ponies around him would rise up in a riot against him.
The first sound to break was Bluebelle laughing. “Oh, I get it,” she said in her laughter. “Y-You’re playing a joke.”
While she laughed, Solaris’s deadpanned stare remained unmoved.
Her laughter died down as her uncle’s expression didn’t move. “You can’t be serious?”
“Why yes, Bluebelle, I am serious. I meant every word of it.”
There was another moment of silence as the aristocratic unicorn was stunned by this news.
And then, out from the nobles, a mare’s voice declared, “Ha! I was right! You all owe me thirty-five-hundred bits!” This was quickly followed by a collective moan of frustration as they gather around the pony who declared a certain victory.
“W-What?!” this time, it was Solaris’s turn to be stunned.
“Hold on a second,” Dusk finally said, getting the nobility’s attention. “You guys were betting on him?”
“Uh… No offense, Your Highnesses,” one of them said. “Not only have some of us guessed it for a while, but some of us are also surprised that you didn’t do this before.”
The Solar Prince blinked. “Come again?”
“Oh come on,” another piped up, “By now, it’s so obvious! The fact that your past marriages ended with one disaster after another? Or how you suddenly passed those gay rights laws? That’s not even mentioning you eyeing Dusk Shine here for who-knows-how-long. Did you think that some of us wouldn’t catch on?”
“But I thought he was straight,” somepony in the group said. “I thought I was sure of it.”
“Too bad,” the mare who claimed victory. “Now pay up!”
The lilac alicorn looked over to Solaris, who as far as he could see was trying to process what was happening. “Dusk, I have no idea if I should feel offended, or completely stupid.”
“Well, look on the bright side,” Dusk leaned over, “At least nopony’s complaining.”
“Um… excuse us, Your Majesties,” they turned to find the small group of reporters was in front of them. A slim stallion with a pencil in his hat asked, “So, does this mean that the article in the Manehattan Times was true?”
“It was our first date, to be honest,” Prince Shine confessed, and they immediately started to jot down their notebooks. “I found out that he liked me, so I gave him a chance.”
“Is this a one-time thing, or does this make you an official couple?”
The two stallions looked at each other, “Well,” Solaris said, “I think for Dusk that it’s a little too early to tell. But as far as I could see, I think we’re off to a good start.”
“Prince Solaris, as a gay stallion that has just come out of the closet, do you have any concerns or worries about your future from here on out?”
“As of now,” he turned back to the reporters, “I just want Dusk to be happy. But for now, we still have the court to proceed through. But I’ll tell you all that, I’ll invite you to lunch. That way, whatever questions you may have will be answered. That is if there are no objections.”
They shook their heads.
“Now then, let’s move on,” Solaris announced, trying to bring order in the throne room.
“Hey,” Dusk said as he nuzzled up to his side, “I’m proud of you. I guess you do have some courage there after all.”
The elder chuckled. “That was kind of terrifying, to be honest, but at least it’s over.”
The lilac alicorn nodded. “Yes, from here on out, at least you can finally be open to everypony.”
“Speaking of which,” Solaris added, “how do you think your family would react to this?”
Dusk’s smile dropped at this sudden realization, and his mind started turning as the next pony was called into the room.
Envelopes fell through the mail slot of the Shine household, which fell into a basket on the floor beside the door. Minutes later, a blue unicorn mare took notice of this and used her magic to see what they had gotten for the day.
“Let’s see… junk, junk, one for Star, another for him, one for me, bill, bill, bill, junk… Hm? What are these?” As she separated the mail, two letters caught her attention. Both had a Royal seal, and both had the names of her children.
Putting the unimportant mail away, she broke the seals of both letters and scanned through them. With a smile, she trotted upstairs to her husband’s study. After knocking on the door, she said, “Hey Star, you have a moment?”
She heard a frustrated sigh from behind the door, “Hold on Moon, let me finish this sentence here.” There was the sound of muffled scratching before she heard hoofsteps coming to the door. It opened up to the gray stallion, his just as gray mane with violet highlights was in a mess. “Yes, what is it?”
She levitated the two notes over to her husband, “It’s from the kids, and they want to tell us something over dinner.”
Star Light took a look at both of the letters, examining them closely. He noticed one key difference between the two that nearly made his heart stop, “Um… hon? Did you read Dusk’s entire letter? It says that Solaris is coming too.”
“What!?” she snatched the letter back into her aura. Sure enough, at the very end of the note was exactly what her husband had described. “But, why would he come here? Solaris has never stepped inside of this house before, why would he be doing so now?”
“I don’t know,” Star told her, “but like Gleaming’s, he was talking about telling us something important, too. I hope it’s nothing serious.”
“What time is it now?”
The gray unicorn looked over his shoulder at the antique clock on the wall. “One forty – and they’re coming around at the same time at seven. So by the looks of things, we still got some time on our hooves.”
“Okay then,” Moon Light put a hoof to the side of her head, trying to think. “We still have our good china in the closet, along with the crystal -- that is if it’s still intact. But what do we do for dinners though? Do we need to get something from the market?”
“How about I take care of the groceries,” he said as he walked out of the study and down the stairs. “Besides, I need a break from writing anyway. Perhaps I could come up with something for tonight.”
“I’ll come with ya,” the blue unicorn said, getting the bag of bits. “When we’re cooking for royalty, we’re going to need all the help we can get.”
“Won’t argue with that logic,” he commented, as he looked around the rooms downstairs. “And we might have to straighten this place up a bit too, now that I think about it.”
_*_
Hours of shopping, cleaning, cooking, preparing the table, breaking a crystal wine glass, going out to buy another one, and double checking if the house was spotless later, the Shines were ready. Or at least, they hoped they were ready.
Outside of the house on Skyline Avenue, a carriage slowed to a halt. Out of it stepped a white unicorn with a blue mane, a pink alicorn, and two Crystal Guards. “Thanks for the ride,” Crescendo complimented, giving their driver some bits.
“Oh, no problem, your Highnesses,” their driver said, taking the money before looking up to the house. “Are you sure this is where you guys wanna be?”
Gleaming nodded, “Yes, this is the place. Now I think it’s best for you to be on your way.”
“Well… if you say so,” the taxi driver said before pulling the carriage away onto the streets of the capital.
The Prince of Love glanced at his wife, who he could tell was trying to maintain her excitement. “So,” he said, “still can’t wait to tell them the news?”
She smiled and replied, “I just wait to see the look on their faces when we tell them.”
“Tell them about what?” They looked up at the orange sky above them to find two, very familiar alicorns descending to the sidewalk in front of them. The Crystal Guards saluted, but the white unicorn was the first to go up to the younger Prince.
“Dusk!”
“Gleaming?” The lilac Prince suddenly found himself wrapped around in the forelegs of his older sister.
“What are you doing here little brony?” she asked, nuzzling the side of his neck.
“I was going to ask the same,” Solaris commented. “What are you two doing here as well?”
“Hey uncle,” Prince Crescendo smiled. “We’re here to have dinner with Gleaming’s parents.”
“That’s funny,” Dusk said, after his sister released him, “we’re here to have dinner with mom and dad, too.”
“Ha! What incredible luck.” the pink alicorn trotted up to the pony he used to foalsit. “Since you two are here, maybe it’ll make it easier for us to tell all of you the good news.”
Before either Dusk or Solaris could ask what Crescendo was talking about, the door to the Shine’s family home opened up, revealing a blue unicorn behind it.
“Dusk, Gleaming,” Moon Light beamed, both of her children rushed up to their mother, exchanging greetings, hugs and nuzzles. “How’s it been, you two?”
“Are they here?” the platinum unicorn stuck his head through the door, in which he too received the same hello as his wife had.
“Hey dad,” Dusk said.
“I’ve missed you,” Gleaming added.
“Well, hello to you two again,” the Prince of Love said as he walked up the steps. “I haven’t seen either of you since the wedding.”
“Hey Crescendo,” Star Light shook his hoof. “Nice to see you again as well.”
Then they heard the sound of somepony clearing their throat. They looked at the one pony who either parent hadn’t given a welcome to.
“Oh, forgive us, Prince Solaris,” the husband bowed, quickly followed by his wife. “We were so caught up with our children that we didn’t notice you were there.”
“I understand,” Solaris nodded, bidding them to rise. “Out of curiosity, have any of you heard about what happened in Day Court today by any chance?”
“How could we?” Moon Light said. “We were so busy getting everything ready that we didn’t have time to ask anypony what’s been going on today.”
“And we just got here,” Gleaming added. “Why? What happened in Day Court?”
“Dusk and I will tell you later,” the Solar Prince said. “Well now, shall we all go in?”
Crescendo and Gleaming followed the parents into their home while the Crystal Guards stood at attention at the front door. The last to enter were Solaris and Dusk, but before they did so, Solaris turned to the young Prince. “Do you think you’re ready to tell them?”
“I… I hope so. I mean, with my older sis and her husband being here too, there’s no telling what’s going to happen next.”
“Maybe things will be easier with the Prince of Love dining with us. Even if your parents find some fault in this new relationship, perhaps my nephew can help educate them a little.”
“Even so,” Dusk shifted from one set of hooves to another, “now that the family is together, I really hope that they don’t see me any differently, as if I’ve changed.”
“Like how you’ve received your wings?” Solaris pointed out. “Now come on, we have a dinner to attend.”
The first thing that Solaris saw as he entered the Sparkle household was the wall of photographs and awards that the family had taken and received over the years. From recital photos to wedding portraits, from the best author of the year award to a picture of a blue unicorn pointing at the night sky with a very young Dusk Shine looking up at them.
Off to the side of the wall was the Dining Room with Star and Moon Light setting the food on the table with Crescendo and Gleaming taking their seats.
The Solar Prince looked over to his beloved and saw something familiar in his eyes. It was the kind of look that realizes what he was getting himself into. The elder alicorn leaned his neck down and nuzzled his neck while whispering, “It’s okay. You’ve helped me out today, and I’ll be next to you if anything goes wrong.”
Dusk took in a deep breath, “I just hope they will take it well.”
“I believe they will, and if worse comes to worst, they will have to answer to me.” At this point, Solaris noticed that someone was missing, “Dusk, where is Spines? Isn’t she coming to this dinner as well?”
“I had her run a last-minute errand, so she should be here any-”
“Hey,” Gleaming called from the Dining Room, “Are you two gonna come in here? The food’s getting cold.”
The two of them looked at each other, the bookworm closed his eyes, lifted a hoof, breathed in deeply while bringing his hoof close to his withers, then exhaled to drew the hoof way. Opening his eyes, Dusk turned to Solaris and said, “I think I might be ready.”
With a nod from the Prince of the Day, the two of them walked into the tiny room. There was almost enough room for the tall pony to squeeze his way over to a seat without bumping into anything or anyone. Meanwhile, Dusk took the seat between him and his older sister.
Out from the kitchen, Star and Moon returned with the last dishes to place on the table. The gray unicorn placed the bowl of scallop potatoes was placed next to the white china with a simple floral design, polished silverware, and the silver candelabra with lit candles. While the blue placed a basket of rolls next to the salad, candied carrots, curry almonds, and dumpling soup next to the crystal filled lemonade.
“Now that everypony’s here,” Moon light said as she and her husband took the remaining seats, “Let’s dig in.”
“Hold on mom,” Dusk interjected, “Spines isn’t here yet.”
“Really?” she looked around, “Where is she anyway?”
“I had her run some-” the young Prince was suddenly cut off by the doorbell. “I guess that must be her.”
Star Light got up to answer the door, finding the expected Dragoness holding tubs of ice cream.
“Am I late?” she asked, “Dusk made run to get these.”
The platinum unicorn lifted the tubs off of Spine’s claws, “No, you’re right on time. You go in while I put these in the freezer.” Another moment later after Dusk’s assistant found a seat, the father came back in to retake his seat. “Now that everypony’s officially here, let’s eat.”
They did, food was passed around until each got enough to start off with.
“So,” Star Light spoke up, “You kids wanted to tell us something?”
“Uh-huh,” Gleaming said with a hint of excitement in her eye. “I want to say something first,” turning to her little brother, she added, “that is unless you wanna go first.”
Dusk told her that she could go ahead.
“Well then, I wanted to let you guys know beforehoof in what I’ve found out from our doctors from the Empire. I have run several tests through them many times until all of them were absolutely sure about it. Everypony,” she grabbed her husband’s hoof and said; “I’m pregnant!”
The faces on the parents face lit up, “Gleaming,” Star beamed, “That is wonderful news!”
“I’m so proud of you!” Moon smiled. “Good thing Spines bought the good ice cream because this really calls for a celebration.”
Dusk put a hoof on her sister’s shoulder, “Cognates BSBFF, when is the foal expected?”
She looked down at her stomach, “We think around November or December, give or take a few weeks.”
“Roughly eight months to go,” Crescendo kissed his wife on the cheek.
“Wow,” Spines said, “I guess it’s about time you guys started to have kids.”
“I think everypony will be looking forward to the birth of your child,” Solaris commented, “And you’re right, this is excellent news from you two.”
The conversation went on for a few minutes until Dusk’s mother asked, “Son, didn’t you have something to say too?”
The lilac alicorn blinked, “Huh?”
“Your note said that you have something important to tell us as well.”
“Oh…” Dusk folded his ears back, “It’s going to be a bit difficult to explain since I’ve found this out a few days ago.”
“Literally,” the Dragoness added.
“Found out what?” the Prince of Love tilted his head.
“Well…” the lilac alicorn began, “Tell me, how would any of you reacted if I said that I’ve just dated somepony that I think might want to get into a serious relationship with?”
Gleaming wrapped one hoof around, and used the other to mess up his mane, “I would say that my baby brother is really growing up.”
“Why Dusk,” Crescendo said, in a mockingly offended tone, “I’m shocked that you went out with somepony and not have told me about it.”
“I would say that I’m happy for you,” his mother said, “Even more so that you found somepony to love you back.”
“Agreed,” his father nodded, “Now you’ve gotten us curious, who is she?”
Dusk, Solaris and Spines looked at each other all three knowing that things are about to get very interesting.
“Um,” the Dragoness spoke up, “What if, uh… What if I told you that the pony he dated last night… wasn’t exactly a she?”
There was a pause in the Dining Room before Crescendo spoke up, “You mean it’s a he?”
Gleaming looked over to her brother, “You’ve dated a guy? So wait a sec, does this mean that you’re Bisexual or something?”
“Huh…” Moon blinked, “Okay, I did not see that coming.”
“H-Hold on, I’m confused,” Star Light told his son, “You have dated mares in the past have you? Since when have you taken an interest in stallions?”
“One at a time everypony,” Solaris interjected, “and let Dusk have his say.”
“Right,” the lilac bookworm nodded. “Okay, so, let me try to answer all of this. Yes, it’s a he. I know that all of you are shocked that I’ve just dated a stallion, but after I found out that he’s been in love with me for a very long time, I have reexamined myself if I really am attracted to stallions the same way I’m attracted to mares. As it turns out with him being so wonderful that, his gender doesn’t really matter to me. So yes, this most likely means that I am Bisexual, yet at the same time, if I’m with someone that does care about me, and wants nothing in return except me being happy, does it matter if it’s a he? Besides, I think I’m slowly returning his feelings for me ever since I’ve gave him a chance to date me.”
Dusk looked at each member of his family, “I just hope that none of you are upset at me because of this. I’m still the same Dusk Shine all of you know and love. I haven’t changed have I?”
Crescendo stood up, walked around his wife to hug the violet alicorn, “Dusk, there is nothing wrong in this. To be honest, I’m both glad and disappointed in you. Wait, hear me out. On the one hoof, I’m over the moon that you have found somepony that you’re willing to give your heart to. But on the other, I’m disappointed that it took you this long to do so. But nevertheless, regardless what anypony says, I for one will always support your decision in who you want to be with, be it with a mare or a stallion.”
Dusk turned to his older sister, “I… I have no idea what to say. Like what mom said, I don’t know how to react to this. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that this is a bad thing. After all, I was kinda worried you could fall in love with some mare that would take whatever advantage of you. And I’m sorry if I sound a bit overprotective, but how could I not after I almost married a changeling?”
“She does have a point,” Solaris muttered.
“So with this, I’ll tell ya what,” she put a hoof on his shoulder. “If this guy does something to you that way crosses the line, and that you need me to kick his flank to the Moon, I’ll make sure I’ll get Solaris and Artemis to do the job. Oh, and tell your coltfriend that that isn’t a threat, it’s a promise.”
“Um… Sure,” Dusk nodded.
“Hon,” Moon Light cut in, “I need to tell you two things. Firstly, I have said this once, and I will say it as many times as it takes: Dusk, there nothing in this world that you could possibly do to make me or your father stop loving you. You’re still our son no matter what. And secondly, I for one don’t mind at all that you’re dating a stallion. After all, I have a coworker who’s a lesbian, and she is a wonderful pony to talk to, as well as a wonderful employee at the observatory.”
Moon’s husband blinked, “I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah, she’s a nice lady too; I should have got you to meet her sometime.”
Star Light was about to say something, but he closed his mouth and shook his head, “Anyway, I guess that leads to the all-important question.” He leaned over the table towards his son, “So who’s the guy?”
“Well,” Solaris spoke up, “in all matter of speaking, Lord Star Light, it’s the main reason why I’m even here.”
Dusk’s father blinked, “Huh?”
“What if I told you, Lord and Lady Shine, that the very stallion that Dusk had gone on a date with is in this very room right now?”
It didn’t take long for all thing lights in several ponies’ heads to click on.
“Um, Dusk, Prince Solaris,” Star Light stood up, “May we speak with the both of you in the other room?”
Four uneasy ponies walked into the living room. Solaris did a good job at keeping the appearance of a calm, level-headed pony, but Dusk could tell that he was very likely mentally preparing himself for a fight.
The father stopped in the middle of the room, put a forehoof between his eyes and his horn, and took a deep breath before turning to the Princes. “So… where do I begin? Hm?” No reply. “Just, where do I even start with something like this? Dusk turning out to be bi is one thing, but then it turns out that the pony you dated has been your teacher since you were little? It just raises too many questions.”
Moon Light put a hoof on her husband’s shoulders. “I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t confused as well. So, maybe we could start at the beginning. Your Highness,” she turned to the Sun Prince, “if it isn’t too much of a personal question to be asking: does this mean that you’re gay or something?”
Solaris nodded. “Yes, Lady Light. Up until today, I had never told Equestria that I was gay. Since you haven’t heard the news, I guess it might come as a shock to the both of you.”
“Well, it’s certainly an eye-opener,” Star commented. “Okay so, how long has this been going on?”
“How long has what been going on?” Dusk inquired.
“I mean how long you have your eye on our son here?” his father clarified. “Is this recent or was it since he was a colt?”
“Oh no,” Solaris told them. “In truth, I didn’t fall in love with your son when I first saw him. I admit, when I first started teaching him, I didn’t see our relationship as anything beyond being his teacher and a close friend. And almost as a second father to him while he was a young teenager. But if you wanted me to pinpoint when I became aware that I fell in love with him, I think it was when he was… what? Nineteen, wasn’t it?” Dusk nodded. “Yes, I think it was around that time when I realized it. But I kept those feelings hidden for quite some time, purely out of the uncertainty in how your son would react if he knew. Looking back now, I should have put a little more trust in him than I had.”
“But what about when you turned him into an alicorn?” Moon questioned. “Was that intentional?”
“No mom,” Dusk took his turn to speak up. “He said in his letters that he never planned to do that to me in the first place.”
“What letters?” both parents asked.
“Oh…” Solaris folded his ears back, “It’s a… It’s a bit of a long story.”
“Your Majesty,” Star Light deadpanned, “I’m a writer. Stories are my profession. So if neither of you would mind, I would like to hear about them.”
And so, both the Prince of the Day and the Prince of Friendship told Dusk’s parents of the events that had unfolded in the past three days. Solaris told them of the letters he wrote every day since his beloved’s nineteenth birthday, all the way up to the incident with his Phoenix sending them all to Spines out of anger. He told them about how he flew all the way to Ponyville to burn the letters before Dusk could read any of them, fearing that their relationship would be damaged if he had.
The lilac alicorn took over, explaining to his parents that his assistant had managed to save a small number of the letters, and how he felt when he read them. His parents, of course, interrogated him into saying exactly what each letter had said. With each letter explained, Dusk saw in his parents slowly putting the pieces together.
Finally, they explained how Dusk gave the elder prince the chance to date him -- though, they left out the fact that Solaris gave Dusk his first kiss. “And mom, dad, I may not wanna call myself his official coltfriend, or even a consort to him yet, but I still want to spend more time with him so that I could at least return what he feels for me.”
His dad nodded. “I see.” He turned to Solaris. “There’s one last thing that’s been bugging me.”
“And that is?” Solaris asked.
“If you really love him so much, why did you constantly send him, along with his friends, into life-threatening danger?”
“Lord Light, do you think that I wouldn’t have sent him and his friends to defend the nation -- if not the world -- from such evils like Eris when she broke out the first time? You are correct that I would never send somepony that I cared for deeply into such perils, but not without knowing fully that there was a guarantee that ponies like him would prevail. Trust me when I say that I would never dare send somepony like him into danger unless he was fully prepared to do everything and anything to keep all he knows and love safe from harm.”
Moon Light put a hoof to her chin. “Dusk, I believe you may return with the others. You too, Hon.”
“What?” her husband asked.
“I think we’re pretty much done here, but I want to tell His Highness one more thing before we’re fully through.”
“I don’t mind,” Solaris said. “I’ll listen to what she has to say.”
Dusk and Star agreed to move back into the dining room. As soon as they were gone, the mother turned to the elder alicorn with a razor sharp look in her eyes. “Understand this,” she said in a serious tone, “I don’t know what my husband thinks of all this, but I for one will allow you to date my little colt. However, as a mother, I don’t care if you can raise the Sun, or that you happen to be one of Equestria’s rulers, or that I’m one of the millions that pay taxes to you. All I want out of my boy is to make sure that he’s happy with the pony he’s with. And if you do so much as hurt him, for whatever reason, I for one will not be afraid to commit treason so that Dusk will be safe.”
“Lady Moon Light,” Solaris looked at her in the eye and say, “even if I ever do such a thing, to hurt somepony who I love so deeply if you see it fit to kill me, I won’t stop you from doing so.”
She nodded, and before the Sun Prince could leave the room, she stopped him. “I do have one more question though,” he turned to her as she continued. “Those letters. If you’ve really been writing to him for so long, but never sent them, then why didn’t you do so, to begin with?”
“Lady Light, when you’ve been alone for as long as I’ve been because of your sexuality, so afraid to come out to anypony to the point that gaining the courage to tell that special somepony that you love them is like walking through a mental minefield, I bet you couldn't help but dream, too.” Solaris turned and started to head towards the dining room. “Now come on, I think we haven’t had dessert yet.”
While Dusk’s mother was busy having a few words with Solaris, the bookworm Prince returned to the dining room with his father to come across a curious sight.
At the center was the Prince of Love, levitating a scroll with a quill. Beside him were his wife and Spines, both of whom were leaning in to look at the parchment in deep thought.
“No, I don’t think using their cutie marks would work,” Spines commented. “That would pretty much clash with everything.”
“And doing it indoors won’t really work either,” Gleaming added. “Maybe doing it outside would be best, probably at sunset, too. I mean, with the both of them, it would probably make the most sense.”
“What are you three doing?” Star Light inquired, at which point all three snapped their attention away from whatever they were doing. The pink alicorn quickly rolled up the scroll before sitting on it.
“Uh, nothing,” the three of them said at once.
Dusk raised an eyebrow. “What were you writing about?”
“It's…” Crescendo’s eyes looked upward at the ceiling, trying to come up with an explanation, “a little poem I wrote for Gleaming here.”
“Yeah,” his wife joined in the charade, “and we were helping him editing it.”
“Uh-huh,” his assistant nodding, with a hint of embarrassment on her cheeks. “Nothing suspicious here.”
Dusk wasn’t buying what they were saying, and neither was his dad. “Guys,” Star said, “hoof it over. Let’s see it.”
Reluctantly, Crescendo did release the crumpled up scroll over to them. Dusk unrolled it to find what looked like a list. “Purple and white, outdoor setting, three or four layer cake, Spines as… ring bearer? Dad as best stallion… Wait a minute!” Suddenly, all the clues clicked in the violet alicorn’s mind. “Are these plans for a wedding!?”
“Um… maybe?” Spines grinned sheepishly.
Dusk felt the blood rushing to his cheeks. “You guys! We just started to go out. Don’t any of you think that planning something like this is a little too soon?”
“What,” Crescendo shrugged, “it could happen.”
Star Light facehoofed. “They’re not in a hurry to get married. Seriously, what is wrong with you three?”
“We’re just planning ahead dad,” Gleaming stated. “It doesn’t hurt to be a little bit prepared.”
“Oh good Solaris,” Dusk moaned, ducking his head below the table so none of them would see the embarrassment on his face.
“You called?” This was quickly followed by the lilac Prince bumping his head on the table. He, along with the rest of them, turned to find the solar alicorn walking in with the matriarch following behind. “Are you alright Dusk?”
The alicorn in question rubbed the back of his sore head with a hoof. “Ow, I’ll be fine.”
“So what’s been-” Moon Light was about to ask until her husband showed her the scroll. “Is this a wedding list?” she asked and Star nodded.
Solaris turned to his nephew. “A little excited for the wedding, aren’t we?”
Crescendo folded his ears back, “Well, can you blame me? You two have just realized that you have feelings for each other, and it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”
“We’ve just had our first date last night,” the Sun Prince deadpanned.
“Hey,” Spines piped up, “since we’re all here, should we start dishing out the ice cream now?”
“I suppose,” Moon Light sighed. “Help me with the dishes first.”
_*_
“…. And then Bluebelle says, ‘Oh, so that’s where my sense of humility went.’” There was laughter as soon as Solaris finished the joke. His nephew covered his mouth over the shock humor from his uncle while his wife was on the floor laughing her head off.
Spines turned to Dusk Shine. “Holy cow, your new coltfriend is harsh.”
“Now, now Spines,” the Sun Prince corrected her, “That joke isn’t callous if it happens to be true.”
“Yeah,” Gleaming nodded, “she was a tough pony just to be around. I remember that nopony wanted to go near her with a mile long pole.”
Solaris laughed, putting his glass of vanilla ice cream down on the table. “Oh, I don’t blame any of them really. I mean, try to imagine dealing with her at court on a daily basis.”
As Dusk was chuckling, his father tapped on his shoulder, gesturing to see him in the kitchen. The lilac alicorn told everypony that he would be right back and got up to follow his dad into the other room.
Once in the kitchen, Dusk asked what his father wanted. “I just wanted to talk to you for a moment.”
“Sure,” Dusk said, picking up a spoonful of his ice cream, “about what?”
“It’s about your new… coltfriend. Look, I’m not saying that I’m completely against this. Heck, after listening to what you two had to say back there, at least I’m still willing to give you two a chance. At the same time, however, and I’m not sure what your mother thinks, but I’m a little worried.”
Dusk tilted his head. “How come?”
“Son,” his father said, putting a hoof on his shoulder, “overall, I’m glad that you found somepony that means so much to you. But at the same time, just because he’s a Prince like you, doesn’t excuse the fact that something could go wrong. Now, don’t look at me like that. I’m not saying that it’s inevitable but as a cautious possibility. Dusk, I want you to know that if something does go wrong, and if you feel that you can’t back out of this, please, let us know. We will help you. Both your mother and I have experience with being with some rather bad dates. Just remember that if something does fly south, tell us, or your friends if you have to.
“I’m not saying this to discourage you having this sort of relationship with Solaris, but from a father to son in the romantic field, please, be careful.”
“I know,” Dusk said, gently pushing his dad’s hoof away before trotting over to the cabinet where the glasses were to get a drink of water. “If I remember right, I think you said the exact same thing to Gleaming when you found out she was dating Crescendo.”
“Well, we are parents,” Star said. “We just want what’s best for you kids.”
Dusk looked over to the freezer and asked his dad if he wanted any more ice cream.
He shook his head, “I think I’ve had enough. So, what are you planning after all this is over?”
His son put a hoof to his chin. “Well, I and Spines will be headed home tomorrow morning since I still have a few things that I need to catch up on, like returning a borrowed book to Butterscotch. Although, being Ponyville, who really knows what the town has in mind. But, I can easily predict that as soon as Barry finds out that I’m dating Solaris, he’s going to throw an unapologetically loud party about me finally having a special somepony.”
Star Light chuckled. “I can only imagine. So, does this mean that the three of you will be heading out now?”
“What time is it?”
His father looked at the clock on the kitchen wall, “Past eight-thirty. You know, both you and Gleaming should try to visit us once in a while. We still miss having both of you here.”
Dusk smiled, “I promise, dad.”
_*_
“That went pretty well,” Spines commented from Dusk’s back as he flew towards the palace.
Solaris nodded. “There were some bumpy moments, but overall, it was a success.”
“I’m just glad that nothing’s really changed for them,” the lilac Prince agreed. “I guess when those reporters print our interview all over Equestria tomorrow, everypony will officially know about us. Yet I wonder if this is moving a little too fast for you.”
The elder alicorn shook his head. “Not really. If anything, if it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have had the courage to come out in the open. While today at court does seem promising, I still wonder how the rest of the country will react to the news.”
“If I have to hazard a guess,” Dusk thought out loud, “most ponies wouldn’t care, others would be excited that you’re really gay, and some will be angry for the same reason. But I think that with time, they’ll realize like I did that your sexuality won’t change the pony that you really are. You’re still the wise ruler that we know and love, no matter what anypony says about you. Nothing changes the fact that you’re still the great Sun Prince of Equestria.”
Solaris smiled. “Why, thank you, my beloved. Although, there’s one thing that I’m still curious about.”
“What’s that?”
“When do you want to go out again? On another date, I mean.”
“Oh…” Dusk blushed at the question while Spines rolled her eyes.
“I’ll let you decide where we’ll go next,” Solaris offered. “Although, I’m wondering what the best time for you might be. I, for one, still have a packed schedule for the next week and a half.”
The bookworm Prince thought it over for a moment, but his assistant spoke up first. “I don’t believe we have anything planned on Thursday two weeks from now. So if either of you is planning on going out, that’s probably a good time to do so.”
Dusk agreed with this realization, and so did the Sun Prince. “That sounds delightful,” Solaris said. “Since it’ll be you planning it, I wonder if you’ll be over thinking about what we’re going to be doing until then.”
“Oh come on,” the younger Prince interjected, “I don’t always do that, you know?”
Both Solaris and Spines were not convinced.
“Uh-huh,” Spines commented, “whatever you say.”
By now, all three of them were by the castle. The elder Prince wished for the both of them good night, along with giving Dusk a little goodbye kiss on the nose.
With his day nearly over, Solaris flew up to his tower, and before he went to bed, he decided that he had one last thing he needs to take care of after he lowered the sun.
Once his daily responsibility was done, he entered his room and went straight towards the cage where a very crossed phoenix had his back against him.
“Philharmonic,” he said, “I know that you’re still angry at me, but I know that you can still hear me when I say… thank you.” His pet turned around in confusion. “Phili, if it wasn’t for you sending all of those letters, I probably have never had the chance to go out on a date with my very special somepony, nor would have I had found the courage to tell the whole world about the real me. So even if you still won’t forgive me, I want you to know that I thank you.”
The Phoenix blinked. “Balk?”
Solaris nodded. “Yes, I really do mean it. That outburst from a few days ago did lead to some good. So I’ll tell you what, tomorrow morning, I’ll get you those Saddle Arabian curry seeds that you like so much as a way of an apology.”
“Chirp!”
Smiling, the solar alicorn put the silk cover over his cage. “For now, let us get some sleep. Good night Phili. I’ll see you in the morning.”
The train back home to Ponyville was unmemorable, to say the least. Before Dusk and Spines got on, they picked up a couple of apples for breakfast and Solaris gave him a goodbye kiss before they boarded. Both the alicorn and the dragoness were quiet all along the trip, taking bites out of their simple meal. The assistant noticed that Dusk was mostly distracted by the view of the fading capital.
When the train reached Ponyville’s station, Prince Shine got off along with Spines. However, they were welcomed by a bright pink blur.
“Duskie! Spiny! You’re back,” said the pony with the cotton candy mane. “I’ve really, really missed having you two around here. Well, even though I knew that you two were going to be gone for a couple of days, but still, it’s sooo good for you to come back and-”
“Barry,” Dusk choked out, “oxygen, please.”
“Oh,” the party pony released them from his death grip. “Sorry, I guess I’m just a bit excited for you to come home since the guys heard the news about Solaris being your special somepony. Oh and congrats by-the-way.”
“So I’m guessing you’ve already read the newspapers?” Spines asked and Barry nodded furiously.
“Uh-huh. You should have seen the guys’ faces when they found out. Blitz was all like ‘huh, I didn’t know his barn door swung that way’ and then Butterscotch was like ‘oh my’ and then AJ said something about that he suspected it all along and Elusive was really surprised because he thought you were straight, but I was like ‘I should really throw you a party but I can’t decide if it should be a Duskie-has-gotten-a-special-somepony party or a welcome-out-of-the-closet party.’ Then again, I could do both-”
“Barry,” Dusk interrupted, getting his friend’s attention. “So everypony already knows about… me and Solaris, right?” His pink friend nodded. “So, are all the guys okay with this?”
“Well, now that you mention it,” Barry said, as he started to hop away while both the Prince and the assistant followed closely behind, “Elusive is kinda a bit weirded out, Butters hasn’t said anything, AJ pointed out that his big sister trots both ways too, Blitz doesn’t mind too much, and I’m just happy that you’ve finally found somepony that makes you happy. I always find it good news whenever any of my friends find something that makes them as happy as I am.”
“Perhaps I need to speak with both Elusive and Butterscotch some time.”
“No need, I’ll just invite them to the party.”
“That’s all fine and good, but I think Spines and I here want to rest for a bit before we go to any parties. We just got back, after all.”
“Okie dokie loki,” his friend smiled as he bounced off in another direction. “How about this afternoon, Sugar Cube Corner at three. Sound good?”
“Uh, sure thing,” Dusk called out as his friend hopped away.
“Great, see you two at three!” Barry waved to them before disappearing into a crowd.
For Dusk and Spines, they walked towards their shiny new home. But before they could reach it, the lilac bookworm said to his assistant, “Spines, thank you.”
The dragoness blinked. “Huh? For what?”
“For saving those letters for me,” he smiled, “as well as being the first to being so supportive, to both for me and Solaris.”
“You’re welcome,” she waved a claw as she added. “Maybe fate will repay me a favor. Maybe Elusive will finally find out about my crush on him.”
“And when that does happen,” Dusk stated, “I’m sure that when you’re out late on a date with him, I’ll be pacing about the castle, wondering if you’re ever coming home.”
She frowned. “Not funny Dusk.”
“I’m just playing with you.”
“But still, that wasn’t-” Spines was cut off when she burped out a letter. Green flames exited her mouth, making the piece of parchment materialize. The little dragoness picked up the letter without a seal and opened it. After taking a peek, she gave it to the alicorn. “It’s definitely for you,” she said.
Dusk took the scroll in his magic and read:
My Dearest Dusk,
While I may have destroyed most of those love letters that I have labored over for several years, I do not believe that I should stop writing to you altogether simply because we’re together at last. Perhaps this letter will be the first in a new chapter of my life where now I can express to you freely, and without fear.
I have such deep gratitude for you and Spines, for what you both have done for me in the course of the past three days. Now that we’re together, I would be overjoyed to take our time for this new relationship to grow like a tree. I think that for your sake, it would be a good idea to take this at a pace in that you’re comfortable with. For me, I wouldn’t mind. I’ve got all the time in the world to spend it with you.
Also, since I’m now free to write to you as well to give you my most secure of thoughts and feelings to you, I think it would be fair if you were given the same opportunity as well. I’m not asking you to send me a love letter every day, nor does it even have to be a love letter. Just a few words from you every so often about anything you want to say to me. Besides, I have missed reading your letters, so I can’t wait to read what you have in store for me.
Since I have this moment to breathe from the court, I think I should let you know about some of the ponies’ reactions to our new relationship. While most ponies this morning have come in congratulating me with their wide smiles, there are a few that object to this arrangement. You see, as I’m writing this, there is a protest outside of the palace walls that is going on. They’re advocating that, in light of the fact that I’m gay, I should be abdicated from the throne and to have it turned over to my brother. Of course, despite the fact that he doesn’t want to, there’s only a small part of the whole population that is demanding this.
As for Bluebelle, she still hasn’t spoken to me since yesterday’s court.
Yet despite everything, life is still running as normal here in Canterlot.
I’m looking forward to our next date, my love. Even now, the idea of spending some time with you in the quiet town of Ponyville does sound rather appealing compared to the organized chaos here in Canterlot.
That reminds me, I still need to speak with Eris when I get the chance.
I hope that now that you’ve returned home, your mind may be at rest for whatever is coming your way. Just enough time to recharge that brilliant mind of yours.
Forever yours,
Forever mine,
Forever us,
-Solaris Everfree.
Dusk smiled as he rolled the scroll back into his saddlebag, noticing that they finally reached their crystal home.
As his assistant rushed in, the lilac bookworm made a mental note to send his new coltfriend a reply.
_*_
Later that evening in Canterlot, a white alicorn lay on his large dark blue cushion, taking in the moment of serenity of the crackling fire, and the warmth of the tea before him. Yes, it was just another day running the country for him.
It was in this still moment that smoke came out from one of the pipes before it briefly burst in green flames, materializing into a roll of parchment. Picking up the scroll in his golden aura, Solaris unraveled it to find a message from Dusk written upon it.
Dear Solaris,
I wanted to take a moment before I go to sleep to reply to the letter you sent me.
Firstly, I don’t think I would mind if you sent me your love letters to me. To me, since we might have to be away from each other every so often, this would be the best way to get in touch whenever we can’t see each other face to face.
Not only that but in a way, I’m looking forward to your letters as well. Each kind word you give me is like that kiss we had on the bridge in Manehattan, each one wonderful and magical as the first. It’s rather amazing how much you can tell me that you love me without using the word itself.
Secondly, you are right about taking this relationship slowly. Since I’ve never really had a pony that I would call my “special somepony” before, I guess I’m still learning how these sorts of relationships work. While it might be close to friendship, perhaps love is something deeper than I could ever imagine. Yet, as long as you are there to be with me, step by step, in learning what love could be, I would gladly follow you.
Next, I think we both saw this backlash coming. I admit, even I shook my head when I heard about the protest you talked about. While I doubt that such prejudice will ever go away completely, I’m hopeful that your coming out will be the catalyst for others as well. Hopefully, you will be their role model, showing them that they don’t have to be afraid of who they are. All because you decided to tell the truth about yourself, ponies now and perhaps the future will thank you for it.
As to our next date, I confess that even now, I’m still struggling to come up with something that you would enjoy. I’m just trying to keep a calm mind as I meditate on a solution to this problem. But time is still on my side, so as long as nothing interferes, I’ll come up with something.
Now before I close this letter, I think I should report Ponyville’s reaction to our new relationship to you. When we got home, Barry invited us to a party to celebrate in the fact that I now have a special somepony. My friends were there, of course, and what I’ve gotten out of them is mostly positive. Barry’s excited, Blitz doesn’t mind at all other than calling me lucky that the “Sun God has the hots for ya”, and Applejack’s older sister is in a relationship with a local mare, so nothing’s changed between us. Elusive is still coming to grips that I’m bisexual and going out with you. He told me that he ‘needs some time to adjust to this.’ As for Butterscotch, I haven’t heard a word from him, so I really have no idea what his thoughts are.
I’m getting tired now. Spines just told me that she’s about to head off to bed, so I’ll wrap this up. Solaris, I’m hoping that your mind is now more at peace with itself. I hope that you’re free now from all those bottled up worries, freed from your worst expectations, and I hope that ponies will try to understand more about the real you and not just the mask you were expected to wear.
Goodnight, my King Solaris,
Your most faithful Prince,
-Dusk Shine.
Solaris rolled up the scroll and carefully placed it on the desk. Getting up, he walked over to the balcony and into the cool night air. Looking up at the stars, his gaze lowered down to the town of Ponyville. “Goodnight Dusk Shine,” he whispered.
