//------------------------------// // Chapter 67 // Story: Looking Glass // by Hiver //------------------------------// The moon shone outside the open sides of the throne room as the door pushed open and I looked away from my conversation with Luna, “Yes Flower?” “Princess Midnight would like to speak with you, your majesty,” Flower said a bit nervously. Luna looked at me, “I’ll be back later,” she said and brushed her wing against mine, “I should patrol tonight's dreams.” I nodded, “Okay. See you for lunch?” “Of course, My Page,” Luna said with a small smile, “And…” “I know,” I said, giving her a small reassuring smile back. Luna gave me a small kiss before she turned and walked to take wing out into the night. We had only a couple nights more before she left for Canterlot so as much as I hated to spend unnecessary time away from her, this was necessary. I needed to speak to Midnight. “Send her in, please Flower. And if we could get some ice tea, that would be nice. Lemon if possible?” Flower smiled and nodded, “I’ll arrange some,” she said and gave a small bow before ducking out, closing the door behind her. Sighing softly, I walked out onto the balcony to look out over the village below. Market day today and the square usually used for announcements and speeches below were full with stalls set up. Unusually lit up too, both torches and light crystals. Things looked busy today, but then again several local fruits just came into season and I took in the scent of grilled meat. Somepony down there were cooking something. And it smelled amazing. Some ponies really threw themselves into the existence of brand new ingredients. Admittedly, a lot of the cooking and spices right now were leaning heavily on griffin cooking, especially when it came to meats. The door opened behind me before closing again. I turned one ear to track the approaching hoofsteps but I didn’t bother looking back. “Page?” “Midnight,” I said and looked at her when she walked up to stand next to me. She looked away before she turned to me, “Page, I-I’m sorry.” I met her eyes for a second before I nodded, “I know,” I said and sighed, “I just wish you would have told me.” “I…” Midnight started to say before she sighed and nodded. Shaking my head, I then turned to her, “Midnight, I’m not going to pretend that I wouldn’t have been tempted to go. If you say the odds were low, I trust that they were low. But with the possible consequences, I would not been able to do it. I like to think so at least.” Midnight didn’t say anything, she just met my eyes for several moments before looking down. “I won’t apologize for being angry with you,” I told her gently but firmly, “But I do apologize for screaming at you.” “Don’t,” Midnight said gently before she looked at me again, “You were right to. You had all right to.” I looked at her for a moment before I sighed and put my hoof on her shoulder, “...How are you doing, Midnight?” She shook her head, “...Tempest refuses to talk to me. Talon is even angrier than you were, he almost set my mane on fire. Luna wants me to come with her back to Canterlot when she leaves.” “Do you want to go?” Midnight looked at me in surprise, “What do you mean?” “Do you want to go to Canterlot?” I asked seriously, “Because if you want to stay, I will talk to Luna.” Midnight sniffed, staring at me for several moments before she answered, “I…” she started to say before she shook her head with a small sigh, “...There are moments where I understand Twilight…” she said before she trailed off and shook her head firmer and met my eyes, “No,” she then said, “No, I will go to Canterlot. I need to talk to Princess Celestia. And… and it may be for the best if I stay away for a little bit.” “I understand,” I said and let my hoof drop, “Well… whenever you decide you want to come back, there will always be a spot for you in Nocturnis.” She brushed her hoof past her eyes and shook her head before she pulled me into a hug. I hugged her back tightly, “It’ll be alright, Midnight. Just take what time you need,” I said before I pulled back to look at her, “...And give Tempest and Talon some time. They love you, they’ll come around.” Midnight sighed softly and slowly let go, “Take care of them, Page. I may be gone for a while, I’m going to really need to think through some things.” “Of course,” I said as I nodded, giving her a small smile, “Just make sure you come back to us at some point, Midnight. We need you.” She smiled back a bit weakly, “That’s… one of the things I need to think about, Page. I might not belong here.” I nodded and touched her chest with my hoof, “Take all the time you need,” I told her gently. Midnight sniffed and rubbed across her eyes again before she looked at me, “...You said I might regret it if I came back here.” “Wasn’t really what I had in mind,” I admitted with a small sad smile, “Regretting it?” She was silent for several long moments, looking out over the village and its shimmering lights before she shook her head, turning back to me, “Yes… and no. Coming back… no. The way we did it? Yes. Even though it may have been the only way.” “The only way?” I asked, “Or the only way without years having passed?” Midnight wouldn’t meet my eyes.