The Friendship Express chugged into the Ponyville Station and opened its doors. A stream of ponies emerged, and soon the platform was filled with excited stallions and mares. As the stream of ponies slowly turned to a trickle, a unicorn stepped onto the platform and took a deep breath. He shifted his weight, and the overstuffed saddlebag with a patch of a telescope matching his cutie mark pressed against his flanks settled.
“Finally home,” Star Bright said to himself, exhaling.
Star Bright began to trot towards the town center, greeting the occasional pony who waved to him. He turned the corner leading to town hall, but stopped in his tracks when he noticed something strange. Is that an ice sculpture of a dragon?, he wondered, before continuing on his way. In the distance, the town clock began to chime. Got home earlier than usual.
“Hey, Star Bright!” a voice called out, catching the stallion’s attention.
“Oh, Roseluck, it’s you,” Star Bright replied as he trotted to the flower stand. “Where’s Lily and Daisy?”
Roseluck sighed and leaned against the table. “They’re sick. Must be something going around.” The mare finished with a flourish of her hoof.
“Good thing I was working in Canterlot this month, then,” Star Bright said, admiring the freshly picked flowers. He pressed his muzzle against a lavender bouquet and sniffed them.
When he glanced back up, he noticed that Roseluck’s expression had changed. “Is something wrong?” He turned to where Roseluck was pointing somewhere behind him, and when he did, he saw Princess Twilight Sparkle standing in front of the town hall with her student and assistant. “What’s that green thing with the horns?”
“Changeling,” she replied flatly.
“Not like any changeling species I’ve ever seen.”
“Apparently, they were magically changed. He’s their new leader.”
Trying to ignore the sarcastic tone of his friend, Star Bright continued to stare, watching how the creature reacted to the ice sculpture. The changeling leader turned his head, and he followed the creature's gaze until he noticed a blue flame on the other side of town hall. The changeling galloped towards the flame and then stood in front of it. Like a bug to a flame, he thought.
“So they’re… good… now?” He asked, turning back to Roseluck.
“Yep,” she replied, but in a way that made Star Bright wonder if she believed the words. “Turns out they no longer need to kidnap ponies to steal their love and replace them as flower mares for the once in a lifetime role in a wedding party for royalty.” Once she finished, she took a deep breath. “That felt good.”
Star Bright picked up the bouquet and held it in front of Roseluck. “Lavenders are natural stress relievers. You should try it.” He smirked at Roseluck.
The mare giggled and looked down. When she noticed a speck of dirt on the table, she immediately brushed it off. “The whole month?” she asked. “What had you in Canterlot for so long?”
“Do you have time to talk at work?”
Roseluck pointed at the lack of customers and quirked an eyebrow. Star Bright held a hoof to his muzzle and chuckled. He pointed to his saddlebag and then to the table. “May I?”
“As if you need to ask.”
Star Bright’s horn glowed, and once the weight was lifted off of him, he sighed in relief. Roseluck poked at the bag.
“That sure is a lot of research you got there.”
Excited to bring up the subject, he immediately reached into the saddlebag, ruffled through the scrolls until he found what he needed, and unfurled it on the table. A gust of wind blew by, catching a small scroll and tossing it into the air.
“No!” Star Bright shrieked, immediately charging his horn to capture the errant document. He glanced around, feeling the eyes of the ponies all around him. Pulling the scroll back to him, he grabbed it and immediately tucked it deeper into his saddle bag.
“Uh, wow,” Roseluck said. “I’m guessing that’s the secret to your research?”
Star Bright took a deep breath before slowly returning his gaze back to the mare.
“You could s-say that.” He growled to himself and waited until the surrounding ponies soon lost interest before continuing. Control it, he thought, stop stuttering. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself. He pointed to the chart. “As we know, after the Lunar Rebellion, Princess Celestia took it upon herself to oversee both night and day. During those thousand years, she really only produced…” He closed his eyes and took another deep breath, focusing on getting the words out right. “…Simple stars.”
“Yeah, I remember learning something like that,” he heard Roseluck comment, though he was certain she was doing her best to ignore the stutter.
“But,” the stallion continued, pointing his hoof in the air. “Once Princess Luna returned, she brought back with her the Equestrian Reneighssance astronomical knowledge about all of the types of stars that had literally been locked away.”
“There’s more than one type of star?” she asked.
“Oh, so many,” Star Bright replied, pointing to the graph containing multiple circles of different size and color. “In fact, she had been working with a pair of researchers on what would eventually become known as the Maregon-Keeneighn Model.”
He pointed to one side of the graph, his attention undivided. “You see, the princess understood that one could design stars that vary in size and temperature, thus creating subtle differences and allowing a greater complexity in the night sky itself.” As he continued to speak, his words came out faster. He reached into the saddlebag and pulled out a book, flipping eagerly through the pages and then slamming it on the table.
“Not only that, but by recreating the design of the night as it was intended, with varying sizes and luminosities giving off specific light, The Canterlot Astronomical Society was able to create an updated edition to the Canterlot Astronomical Society’s Guide to the Constellations. The reason why that is important is because ponies used to tell direction by the stars—not constellations, mind you—because each star is placed in a specific spot in the night sky.”
He closed his eyes as he closed the book and took a deep breath. “So,” he finished with a sigh, finally opening his eyes. “The work is—”
Star Bright glowered at Roseluck for a moment until the mare shook her head and the recognition returned in her eyes. Crestfallen, she slowly lowered her gaze.
“Sorry,” she finally said. “I was with you at the beginning, until you got to the maregon cannon—”
“Maregon-Keeneighn.”
“Yeah, that.” Roseluck glanced up. “But then you just started going faster and faster,” she said, wincing a bit. “I appreciate you telling me, and I did learn something. But Star,” she said, placing a hoof on the stallion’s shoulder. “You gotta learn to slow down when you talk. You sound like Pinkie Pie sometimes.”
“I know,” he replied. “I don’t get to participate in the question and answer part of the tours when ponies visit the Royal Observatory because of that. If I’m not cluttering I’m stuttering.” His ears folded back. “Silver’s the one who’s gifted with words.”
“I guess you could say he’s… silver tongued?”
The two shared a laugh. Star Bright looked up in time to see a dragon flying in the distance, coming towards Ponyville. The town center began to get more crowded. Star Bright’s horn lit up, and the scroll and book levitated back into the saddlebag which was then levitated back onto him.
“He should actually be getting a letter soon from a publishing company.”
“Oh really?” she replied. “So soon your partner will be travelling Equestria and giving interviews?”
Star Bright’s eyes widened. “You could say that.”
“And it’s been a month since you’ve seen him?” Roseluck asked.
“Yeah,” he answered.
“If I were him, I’d probably appreciate a gift for being gone so long.” She smiled sweetly and then pointed to the flowers behind her. “Might I suggest a bouquet?”
“Ever the businessmare,” Star Bright said with a snicker.
“Hey, I’m just a simple pony who wants to make sure her friend keeps his partner happy.” She leaned in. “The fact that I get your bits for it is coincidental.”
Star Bright nodded his head in approval. “Something red.”
***
After making his way through the throngs of ponies in the town square, Star Bright turned the corner that finally led towards home. It wasn’t far away from the town hall nor the train station, for which he was eternally grateful. He knew Silver Script would have preferred a place farther out, a place that would have matched his desire for what he called ‘artistic seclusion’. They compromised and found a home with a large backyard for the Silver Script's gardening.
The wind began to pick up as Star Bright reached the front door. Balancing the bouquet with his magic, he reached his hoof into his saddlebags and felt around for his keys. That’s strange, he thought, where could they be? He turned back to the market, wondering if he had dropped them along the way or that they had fallen out when he was talking to Roseluck. He began to turn around, but the weight of the saddlebags was getting too much for him. Besides, he had a better idea.
“Silvy,” he called out through the door. “I forgot my keys! Can you let me in?”
The stallion ran his hoof through his mane and did his best to flash a seductive smile. He waited for a moment before reaching up his hoof and knocking on the door. He leaned in to hear Silver Script’s approach, but the only thing he heard was the sound of the record player.
Songs become cutie marks
You know I've seen the shore before
“Oh no.”
Star Bright shook his head, took a deep breath, and made his way around back. Sure enough, there was his pegasus, sitting on his haunches, biting down on a trowel as he rummaged through the tomatoes. Star Bright stood still for a moment and watched Silver Script’s determined gaze; the pegasus didn't even blink as he lowered his muzzle to the dirt, trowel in his teeth, and rummaged through the soil.
The song reminded Star Bright of what he had to do, and his smile faltered. Right, he reminded himself, sad song time. He thought for a moment on what to say, and as he did, his smile slowly reappeared. He crept up behind his unsuspecting partner, only to see the stallion drop the trowel and lean to the tomatoes.
“You guys are getting so big,” Silver Script whispered. “You’re making Daddy so proud.”
Star Bright took a step back and watched the pegasus as he interacted with the plants. He knew that some ponies did it—they claimed that it made the plants more confident. Silver Script himself once tried to back it up by saying that it actually gave the plants more carbon dioxide. Star Bright tried to argue, but then recalled once seeing in disbelief Applejack reading a book to one of her trees. Then again, he thought, they do grow the best apples in Equestria. He continued to listen as Silver Script pointed to each tomato.
“You’re going to be spaghetti sauce,” he started as he tapped his hoof at two small tomatoes. “You guys are going to be tomato tarts. And you.” He poked his hoof at a particularly juicy-looking tomato. “Well, I could just eat you up right now.”
Star Bright fought the urge to begin snickering, but then he saw a look of concern on Silver Script’s muzzle.
“What’s that?” he asked the tomato and waited, his head nodding for a few moments. “Why yes, I do know that Starry is right behind me. And I do know that he’s not really good at sneaking around.”
Star Bright rolled his eyes as Silver Script slowly got to his hooves, turned around, and walked towards the unicorn with a smirk.
“However,” Silver Script added. “He is a really good kisser.”
Star Bright’s grin grew larger as Silver Script spread his wings and wrapped them around their heads, forming a barrier between them and the outside world. A small amount of light managed to seep through his wings, and it cast a lavender glow around them. Star Bright felt his partner's lips press against his own, and he opened his mouth just enough so that he could nibble the other’s lower lip. He tastes like chocolate chip, he thought, savoring the flavor. They parted, and Silver Script lowered his head a little and glanced up with puppy eyes, though Star Bright noticed their redness.
“Are those for me?” Silver Script asked, pointing at the flowers.
Star Bright levitated the bouquet to his partner. “Of course, Silvy.”
Silver Script took a whiff of the flowers. “You’re home early,” he said, slowly retracting his wings and going back to the garden to pick up his supplies. “I hadn’t had time to plan anything for dinner.”
Holding the bouquet with his wing, he reached down and grabbed the trowel with his mouth. Star Script’s horn glowed, and the rest of the tools began to float.
“Everything was prepared for Princess Luna’s first display of the dancing stars more quickly than imagined.” He lowered the tools into the toolbox. “Are you alright?” he asked. “You look like you’ve been crying.”
Silver Script paused, his eyes darting back and forth to avoid Star Bright's gaze. He lowered his head, dropping the remaining trowel into the toolbox. Silver Script returned the gaze with a bemused look.
“Don’t be silly,” he replied with a wave of his hoof. “I was just dealing with some particularly dreadful weeds a bit ago. You know how my allergies get.”
“Uh huh,” the unicorn muttered. “And… the Pony Mitchell record?”
The color slightly drained from Silver Script’s muzzle, but then he scoffed and shook his head.
“I listen to Pony Mitchell all the time,” he replied as he opened the back door and trotted into the house. “It suited the occasion.”
Star Bright followed close behind, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You only listen to her Blue album when you’re upset.”
Oh star bright, star bright
Your magic keeps me flyin' right
This pegasus gonna run aground
But I wish I had your might tonight
Silver Script went over to the record player and turned it off, but remained facing it. Star Bright began to get closer, growing more concerned with each step. Suddenly, Silver Script whipped around, cocking his eyebrow and glancing wistfully.
“I’ve been time travelling today,” Silver Script said, his gaze slowly making its way around the room. “Going back and reading the newspaper clippings of my life. Each day, realizing that more of the ink has faded. Editorials of my school days edited and re-edited until I can’t recognize them anymore. An interview with my colthood imaginary friend, but the words are now written in gibberish.”
“Silvy,” Star Bright said quietly, reaching out to place a hoof on Silver Script’s cheek. He kept it there until his partner made eye contact. “I always feel weird when you speak cryptically like this.”
Just like that, he watched Silver Script’s eyes change, the far-off look now intensely focused on him. Silver Script’s hoof reached up to meet his, and he bent down to kiss the stallion’s cheek.
“I’m fine, really,” he replied, turning his focus to the floor. “I was just looking for story ideas.” He glanced back up. “The last thing I want to do is worry you or make you nervous.”
Star Bright breathed a sigh of relief. “I wish I could understand that mind of yours.”
Silver Script blushed and brought the bouquet to his muzzle, closing his eyes as he took in the scent. “Come, let’s get that saddlebag off of you and find a place to put this.”
Star Bright nodded, and the two made their way to the kitchen together. He set the saddle bags down, and as the pegasus went to the sink, the unicorn noticed something different on the table.
“What happened to the other vase?” he asked, pointing his hoof to the miniscule vase that stood in its predecessor’s place.
“A gust of wind came in and knocked it over,” Silver Script replied without turning away from the sink. “I’ll get the bedroom vase for this, though. It’ll be perfect.”
Star Bright then noticed the other item on the table. “It that letter for me?”
A moment passed, the running water the only sound in the room.
“Uh huh.”
The water shut off. Silver Script wiped his hooves off with a nearby towel and flapped his wings. Huh, Star Bright wondered, it’s open. He turned to ask Silver Script if he had already read it, but the stallion floated just off the ground and left the kitchen.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, disappearing up the stairs.
Star Bright scanned the room until he glimpsed the kettle balanced on the stovetop. Jasmine, I think. His horn lit up once again, and a small box levitated from the cabinet onto the countertop. As Star Bright prepared the tea, he looked out the window, scanning the sky, the events of the past month running through his mind.
***
As Princess Luna entered the room Star Bright had once called The Cage, the unicorn's horn lit up, pulling the softest chair he could find up to her. He bowed, hoping that he could make the surprise visit a comfortable one.
“Your Highness, I—”
“There is no need for that, Star Bright,” she said with a wave of her hoof. “To be honest, I have heard quite a bit about you.”
Star Bright gulped. “You… have?”
“Oh yes,” she replied. “Obviously, I pay particularly close attention to the researchers in this field. I must say I am… intrigued… by your work.”
Star Bright could feel the sweat on his brow. “Intrigued?” he asked, hoping for clarification.
Princess Luna seemed to catch on to his nervousness and waved her hoof again. “Not that way,” she continued. “What I mean to say it that I haven’t really had the pleasure of reading the likes of your research since Keen—”
She paused, her gaze fixating on no point in particular. Star Bright, unable to read her blank expression, cleared his throat. As if it were a command, Princess Luna refocused on the stallion.
“I apologize, You reminded me of Keeneighn.” she replied with a snicker. “I haven’t been acquainted with a researcher of your capacity in a very long time.”
“I would think you’d know everything there is to know about the night… sky.” Star Bright struggled to get the last word out. He shied away and cursed himself silently.
“Then what need would we have of your profession?”
Star Bright’s eyes widened, eliciting a peal of laughter from the princess.
“I jest, Star Bright,” she reassured the stallion. “I raise the moon and bring light to the night sky, but I am not omniscient. Researchers like you are needed to ensure that my work is always accurate.”
She leaned forward and cast an appraising stare at Star Bright.
“But enough about that,” she said. “Your findings must be incredibly important, given the nature of your request and for a personal audience with me.”
Star Bright closed his eyes and nodded. He took another deep breath.
“Star Bright?”
His eyes remained closed. He felt as though he was floating in space. The darkness continued to surround him. He felt warm.
“Star Bright?”