Fluttershy had always adored the night. She loved the seclusion and peaceful quiet that night time brought with it. She loved the night time animals, the cool air, and most of all.. the stars! She loved the feeling she got when she looked up at the endless blanket of sparkles in the sky. It gave her joy that she only ever got from her animal friends. So, of course she was ecstatic when she received a royal invitation to the Midnight Star Celebration.This was a grand party hosted by the Princess of the night herself. At midnight, the stars would all shine brighter than any other time of the year, creating for a most wonderful experience for star gazers. Fluttershy squeed in delight as she thought of sharing that wonderful moment with her very best friends.
Fluttershy gently closed the door to her hut, making sure not to wake Angel Bunny from his slumber. He could be a real grumpy bunny when he's woken up. Fluttershy had made sure all the animals were attended to, and would be okay for the rest of the day. She knew they would fine, she left more than enough food and water, but she didn't like to leave them alone for long. She reassured herself that it was only one night and she would see them again in the morning. For now, she was going to meet Twilight at the library before going to the party.
She walked down the street towards Twilight's. She knew it would be much easier to fly, but Fluttershy had never been to good of a flyer, that was Rainbow Dash's thing. No, no, no, Fluttershy was perfectly content walking with her hooves flat on the ground, though she did occasionally hover a few feet above the ground.
She reached the big wooden door of the library and knocked on it on a few times. She stood there, her head down, waiting for Twilight to answer. She heard strange noises coming from inside and raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"ah..*clunk* Sp-spike! Quick, grab th-*clank!*...nevermind"
"Sorry Twilight!...hehe say... somepony's at the door, we should probably get that ... don't you think?"
"Ugh! You just want to get out of this don't you? But fine, go get the door!"
Fluttershy continued to stand staring at the door in complete confusion. "What is she doing in there..?" she though to herself. She heard several more clanks before Spike finally got to the door. He was sweating profusely and he was breathing like he had just got done running a mile.
"Oh...*pant* hi Fluttershy *pant* " said Spike, bracing himself on the door.
"Oh.. um... hello Spike. Is Twilight ready?" said Fluttershy, smiling weakly.
"Uh..." said Spike, dumbfounded as to what Fluttershy was talking about. "Ready for what..?"
"Oh..you see....The Midnight Star Celebration..."
"I have no idea what your talking about, but come in, maybe she'll know."
"A-alright..." Fluttershy was always bashful. She was better around her friends, but she could never seem to shake that nervous nature of hers.
Spike led her down some stairs into the basement Twilight would sometimes use for experiments, like the one she conducted on Pinkie during her whole "Pinkie Senses" antics.
Twilight was standing over a half exploded book, holding a set of weights in her hooves. "Oh! Fluttershy! What brings you here tonight?"
"I...um.. I thought we were going to the Midnight Star Celebration?" said Fluttershy, eyeing the destroyed the book. What in the world was Twilight just doing?
"Oh my! That was tonight? Oh, I'm so sorry Fluttershy, I'd love to go with you, but I have this important experiment I'm doing for my studies with Princess Celestia..." Twilight seemed genuinely sorry for not being able to go. Fluttershy let out a nervous laugh as Twilight started to fumble with the weights she was holding while at the same time trying to hug her.
"Oh no, it's perfectly fine Twilight..." Fluttershy said, only being half truthful. She had already gone to check on the others, and they all backed out. Twilight was her last hope to take to the party, and she was busy. She was going to have to enjoy the night all by herself.
"Are you sure Fluttershy? I'd hate for you to have go by yourself.. I could send Spike with you, if you wanted."
"He-!" Twilight kicked Spike, and smiled politely at Fluttershy.
"I'm fine Twilight, really. I'm sure you need Spike here with you anyway..." said Fluttershy, with the same polite smile she always carried herself with around her friends. She hugged her friend goodbye, and left to go to the Canterlot Castle for the party.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Fluttershy was still kind of down about having to go to the Celebration by herself, but at least she was still going. She still had the same love of the stars, she was just going to have to enjoy them by herself, that's all.
She didn't attend parties often, most of the time when she went she would just stand in a corner by herself until her friends arrived. There were very few people she felt comfortable around. She was standing by the punch bowl, waiting for midnight. She had decided that at around 11:30 she would go and get her spot for the viewing. She smiled as she looked up at the grand clock at the end of the main room. "11:15" she whispered to herself.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Luna had always considered these parties to be a little drab, she never found any interest in talking to the boring Canterlot ponies. They were to stuck up for her taste, she preferred the down to earth ponies from small towns, like Ponyville. They always had more engaging stories than the snobby Canterlot ponies. I mean, seriously, who likes to hear about that time you went to an art museum and the pieces were exquisite. Bleh, it made her sick just thinking of it. She had to get away from all this.
She looked up at the clock, eyeing the time. "11:15... hmm" she took note that soon the stars would be turning bright, and she didn't want to miss it. "I should probably go outside and find a spot..." She turned away from the large crowd that had assembled around her and waved them away. She was walking towards the door, and didn't want anypony to follow her.
She took in the freshness of the night air in a big breath, and let out a happy sigh. She had always preferred her night to Celestia's day, but how could she not? Was it not normal for one to love ones own creation more?
She looked around the garden, hoping to find the perfect spot for the night. She found no such spot, but spotted a small yellow Pegasus lying in the grass by herself. Luna thought she looked lonely, sitting out there all by herself. She quickly recognized her as the shy Pegasus that had helped her fix her voice problems when she went to Ponyville last Nightmare Night. "Maybe I should go over there and keep her company? I think I owe her at least that much for all she did for me.." Luna thought to herself.
Luna smiled, deciding it would not only be nice, but probably fun. She was just saying that the ponies of Ponyville were so much better than Canterlot, after all. She walked over to the little patch of grass that Fluttershy was lying on and called out to her. "Hello Fluttershy! It's good to see you again.." she said, noticing the nervous expression on the poor Pegasus' face.
"Oh...uh.." Fluttershy started to whisper, she got so nervous around ordinary ponies,and she was now in the presence of a Princess. Originally, Fluttershy was frightened by Luna, but Twilight had taught her otherwise, now she was just horribly nervous around her. "I um...it's good to see you to.."
"Are you out here to watch the stars tonight?" Luna said warmly, hoping to alleviate at least some of the Pegasus' nervousness.
"Oh, yes. I love the stars, and I hear tonight is the best night for star gazing.." Fluttershy always found it easier to talk to someone if it was about a topic she enjoyed. Luna smiled as she realized her attempt was successful.
"Oh, a star gazer eh? I find that there are to few of those these days, Fluttershy" said Luna, still smiling. Luna didn't like the fact that not many ponies appreciated her night as she did. This distaste had caused the Nightmare Moon incident many years back, but that hatred was now just disappointment and sadness.
"Would you mind if I joined you tonight? The other's can be SO boring..."
Fluttershy looked down, playing with a blade of grass. "Um...if you want.. Princess" Luna giggled at the Pegasus' shy nature. She actually found it to be cute. Luna laid down next to the shy yellow Pegasus, causing a nervous twitch from Fluttershy. "S-sorry Princess. I...I'm just not used to having company other than my friends.."
"Think nothing of it Fluttershy, I'm sure we'll have lots of fun tonight." Luna giggled slightly, as did Fluttershy. Twilight had told Fluttershy of the incidents at Nightmare Night last year, and how Luna had "doubled her fun" Luna had sure come a long way since than, thought Fluttershy. She's adapted really well. She talks in a normal tone, and even speaks in everyday pony language now.
"So Fluttershy, how long have you been interested in the night sky..?" Luna asked, scooting up against Fluttershy so they could both fit on the blanket they were sharing.
"Oh...well...since I was a fillie I guess. There's a story behind that... if you want to hear it." said Fluttershy.
"I'd love to hear it!" said Luna. Fluttershy returned Luna's smile and prepared to tell her story.