Some Things You Might Have Missed · 12:51pm Dec 3rd, 2014
Luna changes her speech to include the archaic informals when she considers someone a friend. This happens with Twilight after the trip to the moon, but happens with all the Elements of Harmony. The only pony she always uses them with is Celestia, for what I hope are obvious reasons.
Luna has an encounter with each of the Elements of Harmony. She is given a gift from each of them, and helps each in turn. She is given kindness and forgiveness from Fluttershy, and helps Fluttershy in her dreams. She finds Applebloom and Sweetiebelle for Apple Jack and Rarity. Applejack gives Luna a moment of frank honesty, and Rarity gives her a generous gift. Pinkie reminds Luna how to laugh, and Luna helps her in her dream. Luna and Rainbow Dash stick up for each other when each could easily have slipped away and left the other to receive all the blame.
Didn't miss the speech bit. It's almost a trope these days to have Luna revert to Old High Canterlot (or whatever their archaic speech pattern is called) when she's stressed or flustered, though it's nice to see her use it when she's super-comfortable too. Also, if you haven't, do give Lady Grey's Thy Words a read. It's a great little one-shot of Twilight and Luna discussing her speech habits.
Also occurs to me that I slipped an overdramatic angsty short into Luna's Librarian where where Twilight comforted Luna while Luna hated herself and begged the moon to take her back. In my head the scene played out very much like IWTM except that it was written for Thirty Minute Ponies so instead of 67K words I only got 800. Given your particular experiences, I don't think anyone but you could have written IWTM so convincingly. I certainly couldn't, even if I'd had another 66K words in me.
IWTM is going on the "worth re-reading" list. Beautiful, beautiful stuff, Z.
2631096 You are far, far too kind, but I thank you.