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// 12. Hair/Skin 
// Story: The Name of Our Mistakes 
// by ObabScribbler 
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Wind Racer held his spear absolutely perpendicular to his neck. Stationed outside Princess Luna’s bedchamber, he had been at his post for almost three hours and was due to be relieved within the next one. Guarding the princess was less glorious than he had imagined but he gave it all he had regardless. He liked to imagine that if he was not here for these four hours of daylight, some marauding griffin might try to kidnap or slay her in her bed. It was only he and the guard on the left side of the doorway that stood between peace and –

The bedchamber door creaked open. If he had been standing to attention before, now Wind Racer’s entire body zinged with energy that inspired his muscles to tighten almost painfully. He was better at controlling his stupid wings now but he could feel them trying to stand whenever he was close to the princess – such as now.

“Guard,” Princess Luna yawned. “Pray, what be thy name?”

“Uh, Wind Racer, Majesty.”

Luna smiled. His wings trembled. Even rumpled with sleep and so thin her shoulders stood out, she was beautiful. The hair of her mane was disheveled into interesting peaks and troughs, yet even that seemed lovely to him. Evidently his reaction pleased her, because she smiled wider and raised a knowing eyebrow. 

“Wind Racer Majesty? A noble name, indeed.”

“Nay, Highness, my name be not … I simply Wind Racer and my companion, Swift Wing.”

The other guard, a dour-faced pegasus with fur the colour of cold ashes, nodded at his name. Luna barely glanced at him.

“Wind Racer, prithee, wouldst thou indulge me with a platter of foodstuffs from the kitchens? I am not normally abroad while the sun rides high, but the day servants will surely know my likes as well as those who serve me at night.”

“Uh …” Wind Racer said uncertainly. He had not expected this. “Captain Diamond instructed us never to leave our posts, Highness.” He swallowed, remembering exactly how the captain had given these instructions. “He was … most insistent upon this issue.”

“And yet I be equally insistent upon it as well,” Princess Luna said easily. “Pray tell, Wind Racer, whose word doth carry more weight – his or mine?”

Wind Racer clicked his hooves together and bowed low. “I shall be as the wind, Highness, and return forthwith bearing thy request.”

“Good.” She nodded approvingly. “Thy answer pleases me. Hurry along now. Let us see whether thy wings be as swift as thy companion’s name implies of his.”

Swift Wing looked a little vexed at his speed being called into question, but could do nothing as Wind Racer took off and Luna withdrew back into her bedchamber. Before the door closed, however, Wind Racer could have sworn he heard a second voice from within. He paused to look over his shoulder but Luna shut the door firmly and he had no option but to carry out her order without knowing the identity of the other pony inside with her.