Luna gave a last mighty wingstroke to land softly on the secluded hilltop. She looked over the outskirts of Ponyville, where several families were still enjoying the evening’s warmth in the park. It would be one of their last chances as the calendar stretched toward autumn. Time for things to end and begin the long wait for renewal.
As if reading her thoughts, an equally dark pony appeared, though she hadn’t heard him approach. “Greetings, Princess,” he said, settling down into the grass. “Beautiful day.”
She shrugged, casting a distracted glance at a group of fillies playing tag. Sighing, she said, “And how have you been?”
“Oh, I have steady work.” He chuckled as he watched a suppressed shudder run through her body. “Are you sure you enjoy my company?”
“It is nothing personal... I do not mean any offense.” As she flashed a small smile, Luna finally lay down.
He snorted and shook his head. “We’ve had some great discussions. You have a beautiful philosopher’s heart. I wouldn’t have expected that.”
Now it was Luna’s turn to laugh. “One tends to become introspective during exile. I did appreciate your visits. I must confess that I had considered asking you to take me away from there.” She drew her lips into a taut line.
Regarding her with renewed interest, he turned to face her. “You must know that wouldn’t have worked. And you were a deep thinker even before that whole mess happened, as I recall.”
“Perhaps.” Her ears pricked to the faint, dry rustling of a hundred hushed voices.
“Do you hear them? Their thoughts, hopes, dreams?”
“Only when I am with you.” Luna gazed pointedly at the romping foals. “Who is next?”
“Heh,” he said, watching a rainbow streak across the sky. “I can never stray too far from that one.” He brushed off her glare. “You know I can’t answer that,” he replied with an amused smirk. “Tell you what, though. I’ll indulge you. Ask something else—you know where the line is.”
Luna stared at the horizon for a moment. “Will there be any more tonight?”
“No. No more,” he said, following her gaze to where the sun had just touched the distant treetops. “Don’t you have to work soon?”
“Yes. I regret I have not been very good company today.” She rose amid the resuming whispers in the fading light. “Same time next week?”
Death nodded.