//------------------------------//
// ... Red Haze 
// Story: With a Shine in His Eyes 
// by Kotushk Fier 
//------------------------------//

	Red Haze was in his bed, reading one of his Japaneighse 'manga' books. I preferred the spells for moving pictures and stories, myself, when the books turned into almost living versions. I'd borrowed a few mangas from him, but for the most part I bided my time until the animation ponies came to town.

"Hey bro, mind if we talk a bit?"

Haze looked back at me, sighed, and marked his place as he closed his book.

"What do you want now? Wait... What happened to you?"

"Always quick to notice differences in appearance, eh Haze? It's due to this feather, which marks me as Luna's official ambassador. But that's not why I'm here."

"Always humble, Novalis. It's an honorable trait, and it saves me headaches from your accomplishments. Though I will offer congratulations on advancing your dreams a bit further. So why are you here?"

"It's about something I overheard awhile back, when I started my classes with Luna. It wasn't something I could easily broach, since you thought you were in complete secrecy. But I believe I can help you, so I will take a chance."

Haze lifted an eyebrow at my vague answer. He was often quite perceptive, even though he often struck those who didn't know him as a lazy pony.

"You see," I continued, "I found an orb in her office. The orb had some powers that they haven't really shared with us, due to a wish to have their subjects be able to live for themselves. The orbs allow a pony holding them to listen to prayers offered up from ponies. In this case, I heard your pleas to Celestia for guidance, and about your dream to be a Guard."

"I see." Haze said as his face shifted into an emotionless mask. "If these things do exist, I'm sure I have been rejected already in a roundabout way, since I haven't been magically chosen by Princess Celestia to have an audience with her about my future."

"No, Haze. That's the thing. She'd rather you come to her yourself, and show her it is more than a wish."

"And what if it isn't more, Novalis? Some people merely have unattainable dreams. I'm sure you know the reasoning of my wish to become a Guard, and also the reasons I don't dare try."

I detected a tone of pain emerging. He truly felt as if he did not belong in pony society.

"Haze, my brother, I can assure you that you are no monster. You have a high adeptness for illusion magic. Yes, such magic can be misused, but I know you wouldn't. And Celestia and Luna are normal ponies too, albeit longer lived and more powerful. But still, they have feelings, and they do listen to you as a pony, not just another subject."

He turned his face away and sighed, looking out his window, which was actually facing Canterlot Castle.

"I know you love her as I love Luna, brother. I'm sure I can arrange an audience with her, and maybe you can speak to her and lay all your fears to rest."

"It's not that easy, Novalis. Not everypony is like you, able to keep calm under pressure when near an object of affection. I'd crack. I'd sit there like an idiot, day dreaming. And if she can read my mind..."

"Pfft... Calm? Me? Hah! Do you know that the first night I stood outside Luna's room, I ended up caught day dreaming? Oh, and she read my mind. Or how about during a major test that I failed at the time, I also ended up in her embrace, which triggered another, much worse, imagining. She's been patient with me. She has even tested that love for her, which I could never keep secret. But that's the thing I am really trying to tell you. I couldn't keep it secret, and she still accepted me."

"I have one question for you. Think hard before you answer it, Novalis... Do you think I can live a normal life within Equestria with these Changeling-esque gifts?"

"Yes."

"I said think about it, Novalis!"

"I don't need to think on it. I don't need to have an internal debate about something I know as a true and solid fact."

"I see... Perhaps I will meet with Princess Celestia, if she deems me worthy of an audience."

"Haze, brother, you are the brother to the ambassador of her sister. I think she'd have time for you. Not to mention my hand in saving her Summer Sun Celebration awhile back."

"Now you're just pulling my hoof," Haze laughed as he lightly punched my shoulder.

"No, I'm serious, I am the genius who kept the party going while other ponies were risking their lives and getting magical weapons! Damn... I got screwed, didn't I?"

"Haha! You bet you did, little brother. But hey, I heard Luna was thankful you did that much at least, instead of turning into a blubbering foal. Like that time with that goo when we we-"

He was cut off as I tackled him. I made him swear not to bring that up!

After a good bit of fun wrestling and catching up, I eventually made my way out of the house. The sun was coming up, which meant I had a meeting to set up before catching some sleep today. I hoped, for both my brother's and my own sakes, that I was right, and not just deluding myself...