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// Reflections 
// Story: The Journal of the Reunited Two Sisters 
// by AutoPony 
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With my elder sister opening my eyes to the value of discussion rather than the privacy of my thoughts, I feel compelled to write down a rather short entry for further reflection.

I must admit, change is quite difficult; the longer one stays stagnant in a particular habit or state of mind, the more trying it becomes to adjust oneself. Admittedly, I am already quite bull-headed at times; I feel I have made a surprising amount of progress in the few months I have returned, given the circumstances.

Aside from the dramatic shift in linguistics, the increased interactions we have with our subjects has taken some time to fully adjust; I would be remiss to not mention I still find myself somewhat ill at ease with the more personable approach to our duties. Not many would know otherwise; evidently, my stoic silence is seen as more of an outdated way of life for those of royalty. 

Yet as I write down my thoughts, I cannot help but wonder if our former way of rule was not part of the reason for my rebellion and fall. That is not to say I am blameless, for it was I who made the choices which led to my exile. But it is a curious thought that, if I had been more open to discussion and comfortable, could I have garnered a better understanding of my place in the hearts and minds of our subjects? Did the mere isolation and divide between myself and our subjects cause me to become blind to my true duties, and instead believe a delusion I should be worshipped?

Of course, that in and of itself was an underlying issue; even today, many ponies see my sister and me as divine beings. But perhaps that should be the enduring legacy of my tale - nopony is infallible. Celestia and I may have the blood of the revered and rare alicorn race, but underneath, we are merely normal ponies with extraordinary abilities. We are prone to mistakes the same as anypony else, as I - and, to a lesser extent, my sister - have displayed upon a grand scale. I must note that I personally hold no blame toward my sister, but despite my efforts, I am unable to dissuade her from believing she played a part all those years ago.

My new duties have allowed myself to ease into the social spotlight, talking to ponies in their dreamscapes, quelling fears and dissipating nightmares. I was not surprised to see more than a few nightmares involving my former alter ego, Nightmare Moon. Such situations have been difficult to overcome; not necessarily for the pony whose dreams I have entered, but for me. It is a completely different perspective to be the monster rather than see it; now having come face to face with my past, I must admit, my shame only deepens.

Yet this is why I have taken to putting down my thoughts within our shared journal - my reluctance to discuss such items can not be hidden when put between these covers, for we do go through and read each other's entries on a fairly regular basis. Sometimes, it is just easier to jot down emotions and inner musings than try to explain them - or even begin a conversation, for that matter.

No, I am indeed grateful for the opportunities I have been given. Do I regret my past actions? Certainly, but they cannot be reversed. Fortunately, Celestia is not one to hold grudges or reservations - she never has, for she tries to find the good in everypony, even though in some cases, it may result in a fruitless endeavor.

It goes without saying this journey she has undertaken bears fruit, for we both have somepony we dearly missed back in our lives - each other. It has taken quite some time for me to truly understand how much my sister means to me, and I cannot fathom where I would be without her.

Still, this is a journey that continues, one I look forward with much optimism. I feel I have made great strides forward while enduring some bumps and ruts along the way. But that is life - no path is flawless or without some hiccup as we traverse. In some ways, it is those unexpected stops that cause one to realize how much we have, or how much we have to lose.

I see now what I once had been blind to in a jealousy-fuelled tantrum. While I cannot make up for lost time, I find it appropriate I watch over and guard those whom I once endangered with my actions, alongside a sister whom I had once viewed as an adversary.

It is only by the grace of my sister - and her student, of course - that I am well on my way to redeeming myself, in my own eyes.

Tia, I know you will read this at some point, so I feel it appropriate I finish this entry off with a few final words.

Thank you for never giving up on me, even when I felt your efforts were futile at best, and utterly foolish at worst. Thank you for pushing me to talk, even when I felt silence was a better alternative. Thank you for believing in me, even when I had lost faith in myself. And thank you for loving me, even when I was at my lowest point, and loathing you.

Though, I must ask of you one thing - while I dearly enjoy the spontaneous hugs you give after what I can only assume are the result of moments spent perusing our shared journal, could you at least give some sort of explanation? I find myself concerned, especially when you do so teary-eyed.

But do not stop being you, sis. I love you too.

~Luna