//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: The Night's Veil // by P3RROHAMBRE //------------------------------// The Night’s Veil Chapter 3  Knee Deep Princess Luna laid on the bed inside her chambers. She had cancelled all her meetings with politicians and aristocrats today, not near in the mood to deal with their constant complaining and ass kissing. They would only drive her patience with their requests, petitions and/or grievances, and she couldn’t be held responsible for what she would do if she lost it. She would rather avoid that situation all together. Right now, she had another situation she had to deal with, one she held far more important than even her own royal duties and her subjects. Twilight Sparkle. Luna sighed as she thought about the unicorn. An image in her mind began to take shape. She could see the lavender mare with her big purple eyes, showing her inner innocence and loving character. Twilight was a happy mare, one surrounded by friends who loved her just as much . . . And then there was her. The alicorn who was once Nightmare Moon, bent on overthrowing her sister and have everlasting night, but was redeemed by the Elements of Harmony. The one who everypony once feared, and some still did. The one who came to Ponyville in search of friends and none would offer their hoof to her, except Twilight. The one who had just betrayed her friend’s trust. Luna covered her face in her hooves. By my sister’s name Twilight, why must you have feelings for me? But she knew this wasn’t Twilight’s fault. How could she fault her friend for feelings she couldn’t possibly control? Feelings of romance and love were not some cognitive process in the mind that one could go over and decide in the end that they loved that certain pony - it was just a natural feeling, one that could surprise even the most cold hearted equines. She knew this very well. Twilight loved her, whether she wanted her to or not, but Luna did not share the same emotions. She couldn’t. Not because she was bound by some oath or pact, but the fact that Twilight was Celestia’s student. Even if she did share her feelings, no doubt her sister would take issue with it. Luna was very aware of the the relationship that Twilight and her sister held. An unbreakable bond of a mother and daughter, so to speak, and any type of romantic involvement with Twilight would surely cause conflict. What am I thinking? I’m worrying about if I ever loved her, when I should be worried of Celestia finding out what I’m doing! Luna let out a heavy sigh. If her sister ever found out that she had lied about loving Twilight, no doubt she would launch her straight back to the moon. Celestia would never let harm come to her student, and if any pony dared to try...well, she really didn’t want to let her mind wander to those possibilities. I wonder what Celestia would’ve done in my position. The alicorn grimaced and turned over, stuffing her face in her pillow. She knew exactly what Celestia would’ve done - and as much as she didn’t want to admit it, she hated it. She hated the fact that she knew her sister would’ve done the right thing and said the truth . . . unlike her. Celestia always did what was right and she was perfect for it, while she was flawed and naive like some small foal. Was this jealousy of her sister? Perhaps. But when you live in the shadow of such a seemingly flawless being, how could you not be? Granted, Luna knew what ill feelings could do to her and she kept them in check. She loved her sister above all else and would not let bitter emotions come between them . . . Not again. Luna turned onto her back once more and looked up to the ceiling. Her head was beginning to throb slightly, and her stomach was doing flips inside, threatening to make her vomit her breakfast. The guilt and stress was almost too much to take, and it was beginning to take a toll. Maybe I should just tell the truth... It was a simple yet hard decision to make. She could end up losing her one and only friend, especially since she would have to admit to lying in the first place but now that Luna was really thinking about all this with a clear head, this little scheme of hers could only end one way and she rather not get to that. She had to tell the truth. She just had to. Her decision was made. Luna got up from her bed and summoned her regalia and crown. She knew full well that she could lose her one and only friend - but the more she thought about it, she rather still have the chance of regaining her friendship than completely destroying her heart and Twilight hate her for the rest of eternity. The princess began to make her way to the door, set in her choice. I have to tell her and hope fo-. A small green flame appeared before her followed by a puff of smoke. A rolled up parchment appeared and fell to the floor. Luna stopped and looked down at it. What is this sorcery? Curiosity now piqued, she picked it up with her magic, wondering who would send any type of mail to her today. Must be something concerning today. That’s all she could guess. She had to admit, it was a bit unusual for her to dismiss her court for the day - but she had her reasons; none she had to explain to her subjects. She began undoing the red tie that bound the letter, guessing that it had something to do with her actions today. The parchment unrolled itself, and Luna began to read the letter. Dear Luna, First, I would like to apologize for my earlier reaction to your offer of a date. I can assure you it was not my intention to act so foalish. I usually don’t suffer from events such as that,  just your request threw me a bit off guard. I hope that I didn’t offend you in any way. Anyways, I am writing to you seeing that you requested a letter from me concerning the date you asked me earlier that I failed to answer,  and my answer is yes. I would love to go on a date with a pony such as yourself, if  you’re still available of course. I know how being a princess of Equestria has its duties and keep one pretty busy, so if you had to cancel for some reason, I will completely understand. I look forward to your response. Love, Twilight Sparkle. Luna’s entire body went cold and her mind turned to mush and confusion. She read the letter over and over, taking in every sentence and every word. Date . . . Love . . . Twilight . . . No, no, it can’t be. Why . . . ? She studied it carefully, reading it again . . . And found something odd about what the letter said. ...you requested a letter from me... She didn’t recall ever requesting a letter with her response. In fact, this was the last thing she wanted right now. Spike. That was it. It had to be. Spike must’ve have told Twilight that she wanted to hear back from her about the date, and that she requested a letter to give her an answer. Luna was now really regretting getting the dragon involved in this, but one thing was certain: he was definitely keeping his mouth shut. To make it worse, the way Twilight signed it off put her stomach in knots. Love, Twilight Sparkle Luna levitated the letter to her bed, setting it gently down with her magic. She felt more than terrible for what she had done - telling her the truth now was only going to make it far worse for her. Twilight was now under the impression that she was going to take her out on some romantic date - and she would have to be the one to tell her that she lied and never intended a date for romance. By my sisters name... please let us still be friends. That’s all she wanted now. Hopefully Twilight could forgive her deceit and they could just go back to being friends. That’s all she could do... hope. The alicorn made her way for the door again, dreading the flight to Ponyville. She didn’t know how she was going to say it or tell her, but she knew this was the only way to undo her mistake before it blew up into something much worse. Luna opened the door that led outside, but stopped when she realized there was somepony at the door. Somepony she knew all too well. “Hello Luna,” the white alicorn said, standing at the doorway. Luna eyes went large and she stopped breathing for a few moments. It almost felt like the remnants of her sanity were plummeting through the ground. Of all the ponies she didn’t want to see right now, here she was, standing in front of her - especially after musing over her several moments ago. She tried to quickly gather herself. “Hello Tia, my dearest sister. How are you?” she said with a nervous smile. By my stars sister, what are you doing here?! Celestia didn’t seem too amused. In fact, she looked deathly serious, like Luna had committed some terrible crime. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice somewhat stern. “May I come in? I would like to speak to you in private, if you don’t mind.” “Oh, uh, of course Tia. Please come in so we may speak about, uh . . . whatever’s on your mind.” Celestia made her way in and Luna closed the door behind her. Today was just not her day. She needed to clear up things with Twilight - and seeing Celestia was only making it harder. It only reminded her of Twilight and how absolutely furious her sister would be if she found out about this whole situation. “So sister, what do you wish to speak to me about?” Celestia turned around, still holding a straight face. “Why did you dismiss your court for the day, Luna? I’m getting all kinds of complaints from ponies that were supposed to see you today, and they demand to know why.” Luna’s eyes shifted from left to right. Because I lied to your student. “I-err- wasn’t feeling well.” she said, rubbing the back of her neck. “I been having the most terrible cramps in my stomach, and I simply couldn’t run my court today because of them.” Luna put on the cheesiest smile she could give and held her stomach, hoping that Celestia would buy her story. “You sure that was it Luna? Cramps?” Celestia questioned, raising her brow in mock surprise. By my moon, she knows I’m lying! Does she know what I did?! How could she?! But before she could even try to come up with some other answer, Celestia spoke. “Or does it have something to do with this?” Celestia’s horn lit up and a piece of parchment, exactly identical to the one that was sent to her, appeared before her and unrolled, revealing it’s contents. Luna only took one quick skim of the letter, and knew exactly what it was without even finishing it. She knows. She began to shake violently and her knees wobbled. Her heart pounded and her mind went static; fear welled up in her. “I...I...” she stuttered. Luna had no clue what to say. Celestia now knew what she was up to; she had to know if she had the same letter . . . But why were there two letters? Why did Twilight send one to her and her sister? Question after question ran through her head; none that she could answer. There was only one thing she did know. She was royally bucked. The parchment vanished. “Celestia please let me explain all this! It was just a misun-” she was interrupted by a golden hoof at her face. “Luna, there’s no need to explain anything to me,” Celestia said sternly. “I’ve already figured out what’s going on here myself.” This was it. Celestia knew that Luna had lied about her feelings for Twilight and she was here to bring retribution for her student. How did she figure it out? Luna didn’t know but she could see that her sister somehow knew. Why else would she be talking to her in such a serious and almost dark tone and that dead look of seriousness if she didn’t? “Please Tia, just let us explain!” Luna begged, letting the royal ‘we’ slip out. Celestia stared at her, looking right into Luna’s teal eyes.  An eerie silence fell between them. Luna began to breathe rapidly; her body beginning to go into panic mode. They kept staring at each other and Luna could feel the tension growing between them . . . That is, until Celestia began to crack a smile. It started as a small smile, trying to be held back and within seconds, the white alicorn busted out in laughter. “Luna, I swear you get worked over the smallest things,” Celestia said through her laughter. “You are simply too easy to fool.” Luna’s face flushed. A mix of immense relief, confusion - and a bit of anger - swept over her. “What’s... what’s so funny sister?!” she said. “I thought you were-” “Upset? Angry? Furious?” Celestia said, still smiling at the petrified Luna. “Really Luna? To think by now that you would’ve learned that I love to joke with you.” Her laughter kicked back in. “You really need to lighten up.” Luna knew that Celestia loved to jest with her, but she could never tell when. There had been plenty of times that her sister had told her things that seemed true, and ended up as false to only get a good laugh out of it - usually at her expense. “But what about the letter? Are you not upset for what I’ve done?” Luna asked in confusion. Did her sister approve what she was doing to her student? Celestia’s laughing waned down enough to reply. “Upset? Luna, why would I be upset that you asked my student out on a date?” She chuckled. “I mean, if you’re talking about closing your court for the day, then no, especially for something like this.” She made the letter appear as a reference. It disappeared again. She doesn't know the truth. Luna knew she had two choices. She could either tell the truth, clear this up right now and risk her sister’s anger, letting her know that this was just some giant misunderstanding due to her inexperience with the modern language - or pile on the lie she had already started. I can’t lie to my own sister. It’s already bad enough that I lied to her student... “Tia, there’s something that I must tell you.” Celestia smiled brightly. “Of course Luna, go ahead.” I must tell her. I have to... I have- why does she have to smile like that? Her sister’s smile burned into her brain, and it made her heart plummet into her stomach. She seemed so happy for her, even though she was under the false impression that she actually liked her student . . . that way. Celestia had asked a few times in the past about her having some special somepony, and she would always tell her she had no interest in getting involved with another romantically... not after last time. I..I can’t... I can’t! “I... I forgot,” she whimpered. She didn’t have the heart to do it. That smile of Celestia’s wouldn’t let her. She didn’t want to see her sister’s happiness leave and turn into one of probable disgust. Luna loved her sister too much to see that. Celestia chuckled at Luna’s nervousness. “What’s the matter Luna? Has my student consumed your mind where you can’t even remember what you wanted to say?” Luna smile sheepishly, while inside she was cringing. “I apologize sister; I seem to have much on my mind concerning Twilight.” There’s a lot concerning Twilight that you have no clue about. “I understand Luna. Love can do many things to the mind, especially if it’s over a beautiful mare like Twilight.” The dark alicorn’s heart wrenched hearing that damned word. Celestia walked over to her until she was face to face with her sister.. “So, tell me about this date that you have planned?” Celestia said with a sly grin. “I can only imagine what you would have in store for my student, considering you rule the night.” She paused. “We both know what happens under the veil of darkness.” Princess Luna’s face blushed, knowing full well what Celestia was talking about. “No,” she admitted. “I... I don’t have anything planned, I’m afraid.” “Wait, you didn’t plan any of this out?” Celestia cocked her brow. “Was this a spur of a moment kind of date?” “I suppose,” Luna said reluctantly, not knowing if that was the appropriate response to such a question. “Well, we can certainly fix that.” “What do you mean sister?” Celestia smirked, taking satisfaction in Luna’s innocent question. “I’m going to plan your date for you.” “No!” Luna quickly objected. “I mean-uh- no. I would like to do this on my own, if you wouldn’t mind Tia.” Luna didn’t want to get her sister involved in this whole fiasco, too. It would only make things more complicated than they already were, and she wasn’t really confident in what Celestia’s idea for a date was. She really had no clue what her sister did for fun. She had only known the Princess Celestia that sat on her throne, ever-wise and powerful. “Aww c’mon Luna, I insist,” Celestia pleaded. “Besides, this would be your first date and I want to make sure you two have a great time together. Pleeease little sister?” She was now giving big puppy eyes. Luna couldn’t deny her. Where had her determination gone? She was making this situation so much worse by now letting Celestia unwittingly become involved in this lie. “Fine I suppose... but I must write Twilight a letter first to-” she paused. There was no turning back now. She had to go through with . . . whatever she was going through with.  “-to let her know when I shall come get her.” “Oh, that can wait Luna,” Celestia said, waving her hoof nonchalantly in the air. “Write to her tonight; we have much planning to do.” Celestia quickly made her way to the door, looking as happy as some small filly getting her cutie mark. “I’ll cancel the rest of my meetings today and you and I are going to go out and make some reservations. I know some really enjoyable places that you two could go out to,” she said with a grin that rivaled a certain pink mare’s. Luna could only nod. In a way, she was now wishing she actually did love Twilight - so she could be happy with her sister and actually be excited to plan a date of romance - but instead she was filled with dread and disgust. Everything was snowballing and it was now too late to stop it. With Celestia now involved and her not having the guts to tell her the truth, Luna would have to play along and descend deeper into her veil of lies. “Very well sister. Let us go and I’ll write Twilight tonight.” They both exited out her chambers and went outside. The sky was illuminated by Celestia’s bright sun, and there was not a single cloud in the sky. The day beamed with happiness. They both unfurled their wings, ready to take flight off into Canterlot and make preparations. “You ready to plan the most wonderful date, little sister?” Celestia asked teasingly. Luna cracked a smile, trying to hide her inner loathing and anxiety. “Of course, why wouldn’t I?” Lie after lie... I deserve to be banished back to the moon. Maybe she did, but she would have to think more about it after she was finished with her sister. For now, she would act normal, whatever that was for a pony in her position. “Of course, Luna.” Celestia looked out to the sky then back at her. “ Well, let’s get going then, shall we? I know the first place that we’re going to go check out.” Luna sighed under her breath. “What would that be dear sister?” she asked, trying to prolong her last few moments of dread. Celestia chuckled once more, almost with an embarrassment hidden underneath it, clueless about the inner working of her sister and the distress she was in. “Why, the bar, of course.” Luna raised her eyebrow, never hearing of such a place and asked only one question before they both flew off into Canterlot and planned the reluctant date. “What’s a bar?”