//------------------------------// // 64 - New Experiences // Story: Mending Light // by Kiromancer //------------------------------// Once Terra and Stalwart had departed for their honeymoon sendoff, the guests began to filter out of the reception. The best stallion was going foalsit for Aster while the newlyweds were off, carrying her away as the filly's energy finally died out. Some of the guests had booked rooms at the resort hotel for the night, but Dusky and I had train tickets back home. After a few more dances, some cake, and a wonderful night with friends, we said our goodbyes to everypony. It wasn't just goodbye from the wedding either, but in preparation for Dusky's big trip. We'd only be gone a month or so, but I was still feeling a little anxious about it all. The train back to Ponyville was nice, if quiet. The long wedding and the anticipated flight ahead of us resulted in Dusky napping on the train, resting against me sleepily, a state which I was more than happy to indulge. I gently woke her shortly before the train pulled back into Ponyville. The sun was setting low to the horizon, and with a hug, we parted for the night. We each planned to head home, gather our things, and meet up to start our journey first thing in the morning. Up at sunrise, I made sure Spring had everything she needed while I was gone and ate a quick snack to tide me over. I strapped on my flight satchels, filled with the various items Dusky had recommended to me for the trip, said goodbye to Spring, and set out. "Canterlot first." Dusky had said as we started on our way, Celestia's sun just breaking over the horizon. "I don't want to overwhelm you at the first stop." Strangely, the part I was least expecting was the hotel. In part, I think I'd assumed we'd be camping out in the wilderness, a more cross country trip. Instead, Dusky had booked a room at one of the smaller scale hotels in the Lunar District. It wasn't one of the big fancy hotels, but it was certainly more than I had been thinking. We received our room keys and dropped off our luggage when Dusky turned to me with an apologetic smile. "I've got some last minute things to take care of now that we're here. I promise I won't be long." I asked to go along, but she'd told me that this was something she had to do alone. They weren't just ordinary errands, but meetings with contacts that wouldn't know me, and wouldn't trust me. As much as I wished Dusky didn't need to do that kind of thing, I had seen too much not to understand. I gave Dusky a hug and asked her to be careful, and with that I was on my own. The room itself wasn’t anything special. It reminded me of Myrtail Beach, except the generic beach artwork here was replaced by more generic artwork of flowers and mountainsides. Our flight satchels were set down on a wide desk set against the wall. There was a small sofa facing a window, with the curtains still drawn. Between them was a low table on which sat several tourist brochures neatly spread across it. The part that tripped me up was the bed. Dusky had booked a room with only a single bed. It both did and didn’t feel strange to me. We’d spent a few nights together, both after everything that had happened in Fillydelphia, and during our travel to Ostfriesen. Still, this was different, somehow. This felt deliberate in a way those other times had felt impulsive, or forced. I wasn’t going to complain, however. It was as much the reason I’d come along as anything else. I wanted to be with her. This was a sign that she wanted to be with me as well. This whole trip was a sign of that, despite how hard it was for me to believe. I slung my flight satchel from the desktop over to the table and started to unpack. It was worth double checking, or in this case triple checking since I’d gone through the bags once that morning. I set everything out carefully on the the table, reciting to myself the list Dusky had given me of what to bring. The trip to Ostfriesen had been something of a primer, though this time I’d had a bit more time to get everything together. I dug through the various care products and pulled out the small bit purse stowed in the bags. Beneath that sat the tiny black box that I had packed especially for this trip. I flipped open the lid and looked down at the piece of jewelry inside. This was insane. I was insane. Still, there was nothing else I could do. If I could go on this trip with her, if I could find the courage to explore the world with her, then there was no reason I shouldn’t ask. Unless it really was insane. I’d been across Equestria and beyond, always on the heels of crisis, and it always left me feeling terrified and unsure. I took a deep breath as I stared down at the table, covered in all the travel goods. The voice in the back of my mind told me I was just a fraud. It was only a matter of time before I disappointed Dusky. I might panic, or be too stressed to stay with her, or even in the proposal itself. This was all such a bad idea. I had no right to be here. My ears perked up as I heard the door unlocking. I don’t know how long I’d been sitting there over thinking, but as Dusky pushed the door open, I hurriedly closed the jewelry box and shoved it back deep into my flight satchel. I stood swiftly and spun to face her. She trotted in with a small white bag tucked under her wing and a beautiful smile on her face. “I’m back.” I twitched, glancing back at the mess on the table and sighed, then forced a smile and tried to push away the darker thoughts. “W-welcome back, Dusky. You, um, find what you were looking for?” Dusky nodded, “Yeah. Plus a couple extra goodies.” She extended her wing to hold up the paper bag. I tilted my head, trying to make out the logo. “A… bag? What’s that?” She just grinned as she set the bag down on the desk. “Donuts.” The bag logo showed a yellow unicorn stallion in a chef’s apron standing inside the ring of a donut, a speech bubble proudly proclaiming ‘Donut Joe’s!’ to the side. It was certainly not what I had been expecting, but that was starting to become a trend. “Sounds good, then!” Dusky unfolded the bag to reveal a half dozen doughnuts of various variety. “I hope you like honey-glaze. If not, I got some chocolate sprinkles and… Boulonnais Creams.” I stepped over towards her and nuzzled her cheek. “I… I’ve never tried a honey-glaze donut before.” “Really?” She lifted a donut out of the bag. “Well, you’ve been missing out.” So much of my life had been wasted on my fears and doubts, her statement could have applied to anything. I lifted a donut out of the bag and stared down at it. “I… I really have, yeah.” It was such a small and simple act, bringing donuts, but I don’t know if Dusky could have done anything more perfect to snap me out of my head. She always knew what to say, what to do, to raise my spirits. I ate it eagerly, letting my smile grow as I chewed. It was sweet, almost too sugary, with a crispness to the outside of the cake. I savored it, not just for the flavor, but for the feeling. I finished and stepped up to hug Dusky tight. She giggled. “Glad you liked it.” Shaking my head, I released her. “It’s not just that… I’ve just felt a little… anxious. Anxious about the trip. I’m still not sure what I was expecting, and it’s been building all morning. What am I doing? Just a feeling that… that I shouldn’t be here. And then… you bring me donuts.” Dusky gave me a quick nuzzle. “I understand the anxiety. There’s a lot to think about, but you can’t let every little thing get to you.” I sighed. “I’m just worrying over nothing, but there’s so much I’m missing out on. It might be silly, but that includes honey-glazed donuts… and I shouldn’t get worked up when I have you to guide me.” “I’m just happy to help. And happy to have you with me.” She nibbled at her own doughnut. Climbing over to the bed, I settled down on my side and watched Dusky. “You’re… you really are my best friend, Dusky. Thank you. I really do love you.” Finishing her donut, she followed me up onto the bed and lay down, nuzzling her head against into my mane. “I love you too, Night Light.” I grinned wide, my fears momentarily forgotten. “So, with your contacts met, where are we going next? Any plans for Canterlot?” She nodded, leaning against me. “I’ve got a few places in mind that I thought you might like to see.  What would you think of an insider tour of Canterlot University?” I extended a wing to cover Dusky’s side. “There’s a lot of places I’ve never been to. And I’ve never toured Canterlot University beside the most beautiful mare in Equestria.” She giggled and leaned more heavily against me, shifting her weight against my side and resting her head against my neck. “You flatterer, you.” Giving her a squeeze with my wing, I grinned. “Just the truth, Dusky.” Dusky leaned up to kiss my cheek before resting back down. “It’s fortunate that the mare happens to have the sweetest stallion she’s ever known accompanying her, then.” “And… my day only gets sweeter.” I blushed, letting Dusky rest against me as we lay on the bed. “You… want to head out, then?” She smiled. “I’m in no hurry. We’ll be here for a few days, and I’m content to stay like this for awhile, my sweetest, most considerate coltfriend.” I blinked, feeling the heat rise in my face. “Now and forever, Dusky. I’m in no hurry at all.” I nuzzled against her mane, shifting beneath Dusky to let her snuggle closer. She took advantage and let out a deep, contented sigh as I squeezed my wing around her again. This was not how I had been expecting our trip to start. I didn’t know where our path would take us, but at this moment it didn’t matter. Feeling her heartbeat, her breathing, both so close to me, I was positive there was nothing in Equestria or beyond she could show me that would be more beautiful than her. I leaned down and kissed her forehead, holding the moment close.