//------------------------------//
// Lavender Night 
// Story: Nightshade 
// by Selene Bright 
//------------------------------//


Lavender Night


Written By: Luna Moondance  Edited By: BeneathTheShade


The cool, crisp air of the night caresses my coat as I stand alone, gazing up at the vast expanse of my night sky. The stars twinkle like a sea of diamonds, each one a story, a secret, a dream. Despite my efforts to focus on the present, my mind inevitably wanders to memories best left untouched.  

A mare shaking in fear, praying I won’t hurt her. I do everything to reassure her, but all it does is make it worse… and she runs away. This scene, repeated time and again, weighs heavily on my heart. Why must they fear me so? I, who guard their dreams, who fend off the night's predators, who craft a sky of wonder and beauty?

I wander through the castle halls, the silence of the night echoing around me. The stone faces of my night guards are stoic, yet I can't help but wonder if their loyalty is born of genuine respect or merely a lack of options. The flicker of fear in their eyes, so carefully hidden, does not escape my notice. It's a lonely existence, being the princess of the night, misunderstood and feared by those I vow to protect.

I seek solace in the library's quiet embrace, I'm surrounded by the comforting presence of books, each one a gateway to another world, another time. The musty scent of old pages fills my nostrils, a familiar and welcome aroma that speaks of knowledge and adventure. The library has always been my sanctuary, a place where loneliness fades into the background, replaced by the companionship of stories and legends. I search for a good book to keep my mind off painful memories. 

I look down upon a mare with tears in her eyes, shaking in fear and begging me to let her husband go, her foal behind her, terrified and looking to her mother for protection. Her husband held in the air having the life choked out of him. “You wish to fear me… I’ll give you a reason to fear me!”  I smile manically as I hear a pleasing snap.

The memory brought back a horrible sting of regret, my hooves buckle under me, and I collapse on the floor crying. My sister may have erased my crimes from history and replaced it with a bedtime story for fillies and colts, but I still remember, and sometimes I curse my perfect memory. I shake the memory from my mind and wipe the tears from my eyes. I go back to my search concentrating intently on my task, scanning the rows of books and their titles.

As I search for a distraction from the ache of past regrets. I'm drawn to a particular book, its title "Nightshade By: Lavender Night" catching my eye. A smile tugs at my lips as I realize it's a Fillyfooler romance, a genre that was once forbidden. Settling onto a plush couch near a window, I light a candle with a flick of my horn, its warm glow casting a cozy light on the pages.

As I lose myself in the tale of forbidden love and many chapters later, a pang of longing strikes me. Will I ever find someone who sees beyond the princess of the night, who loves me for who I am again? Before my thoughts can lead to something unpleasant, my ears perk up by faint whispers in the distance. My Curiosity piqued, I place a bookmark in my book and rise, following the sound.

As I get closer, I notice a lavender mare staring excitedly into a large telescope, whispering to herself. I watch her as she moves back and forth between the telescope and an academic journal, swiftly jotting notes down.

It was then that I recognized the lavender mare, Twilight Sparkle, my sister’s devoted student, the one that saved me from my living nightmare. I approach, making sure she would hear my hoof steps as I moved closer.

Shocked, she turns to face me, her eyes widening in surprise. "P-princess Luna," she gasps, her voice tinged with awe and a hint of nervousness. "I didn't hear you coming. You… startled me!" she exclaims, placing a hoof over her heart struggling to catch her breath.

"I apologize, Twilight. I did not intend to startle you," I say, my voice softening as I move closer to her. As I look at her, she doesn't shy away. Her hooves weren't shaking, and looking into her eyes I couldn’t see a trace of fear… 'She’s cute,' I thought to myself.

“What are you doing in the library this late?” Twilight asks with a hint of curiosity in her voice.

“I could ask you the same question,” I counter.

She beams me with a smile and answers back with giddy excitement. “Well, I’m catching up on my astronomy research, and I've found some really interesting things. It seems that Nightgazer, the father of modern astronomy, was wrong about some of his theories about the stars and how they work. I plan on releasing my thesis on the subject and proving him wrong on a few things. Like, did you know that the stages of evolution a star goes through are determined by the size of the star?” she finishes while holding her notes up for me to review.

I can't help but smile at her passion. "The night sky holds many wonders, Twilight. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. After all, who better to learn from than the one who created it?"

“OH!! Could you? I have so many questions, and you are the princess of the night, the sole reason astronomy even exists,” she said with pure excitement.

It was then I took the book I was reading out from under my wing and laid it down on a nearby table. I watched as she eyed the book, interested in what I was reading, and froze up when she saw the title. I mentally facehoof as I realize that the book, I was reading is a fillyfooler romance, and she might not feel comfortable talking to an old fillyfooler like me, but then I realized something. How would she know that without reading the book?

“Have you read this book?” I ask with an awkward smile.

“You could say that,” she said, rubbing the back of her head as her cheeks lit up.

I wanted to inquire further, but I thought I should just let it go for now and continue where we left off. I loved hearing her talk about my night sky, such enthusiasm!

"Twilight, have you ever heard the legend of the constellation Orionis?" I ask, pointing to a group of stars that form a distinctive pattern in the sky.

Twilight's eyes follow my hoof, and she nods. "Yes, but I've only read the basic version. I bet there's more to the story when it comes from you."

I chuckle, pleased by her interest. "Indeed, there is. Orionis was said to be a great hunter, fearless, and unmatched in his skill. But it was his humility and respect for all creatures that earned him a place among the stars."

Twilight listens intently, her eyes sparkling with fascination. "That's beautiful. It's like the stars themselves are telling stories."

"Exactly," I agree, a connection forming between us. "Each constellation has its own tale, a piece of history written in the night sky. And what about you, Twilight? Do you have a favorite constellation?"

She hesitates for a moment, then points to a small cluster of stars. "I've always been fond of Lyra. It's not the most prominent, but there's something about its simplicity and the stories it holds that captivate me."

I smile, impressed by her choice. "Lyra is a symbol of harmony and balance. It's a fitting choice for someone like you, who seeks to understand the world and bring people together."

Our gazes meet, and for a moment, there's a spark, a connection that goes beyond mere academic interest. Twilight quickly looks away, a hint of a blush on her cheeks.

"I, um, I also find the stories behind the constellations fascinating," she stammers, trying to regain her composure. "It's like the night sky is a book, waiting to be read."

I nod, feeling a warmth in my heart. "And together, we can uncover its secrets. The night is full of wonders, Twilight, and I'm glad to have someone who appreciates its beauty by my side."

Twilight smiles, and there's a softness in her eyes that wasn't there before. "Thank you, Princess Luna. I feel the same way. The night is truly magical, especially when shared with someone who understands its charm."

As we continue our discussion, the conversation between us grows, a gentle bond forming under the watchful gaze of the stars. It's a connection born of shared interests and a mutual appreciation for the mysteries of the night.

As the night deepens, a chill settles in the air, prompting me to conjure a warm blanket with a flick of my horn. I drape it gently over Twilight's shoulders, and she looks up at me, her eyes shining with gratitude.

"Thank you, Princess Luna," she says softly, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. "I hadn't noticed the cold, I was lost in the stars."

I smile, pleased by her appreciation of the night's beauty. "The stars do have a way of making us forget the world around us," I agree. "But even the most dedicated astronomer needs rest."

Twilight nods, a hint of reluctance in her movements as she begins to gather her notes. "You're right, of course. I just wish the night could last forever."

Her words resonate with me, echoing a sentiment I've held for centuries. "The night may end, but its wonders are eternal," I assure her. "There will always be more to discover, more to share."

She looks up at me, a smile playing on her lips. "I look forward to our next night of exploration, Princess Luna. Your guidance has been invaluable."

The sincerity in her voice warms my heart, and I find myself looking forward to our future meetings. "As do I, Twilight. Your curiosity and passion for learning are a rare gift."

We walk together toward the library entrance, the first light of dawn beginning to creep across the horizon. The night is ending, but the bond we've formed under the stars feels like the beginning of something new, something beautiful.

"Goodnight, Princess Luna," Twilight says as she reaches the door, a hint of anticipation in her voice.

"Goodnight, Twilight Sparkle," I reply, watching her disappear into the castle. "May your dreams be filled with starlight."

As I turn back to the night sky, a sense of peace settles over me. For so long, I've been the guardian of the night, watching over a world that sleeps, unaware of the beauty above them. But tonight, I shared that beauty with someone who understands, who appreciates the magic of the stars same as, her...

I extinguish the remaining candles, letting the moonlight guide me back to my quarters. As I lie down, the memories of the evening's conversation linger in my mind, bringing a smile to my lips. For the first time in a long while, I feel a connection, a sense of belonging.

The night may be my domain, but it no longer feels like a solitary kingdom. In Twilight Sparkle, I've found a friend, a fellow seeker of the stars. And as I drift off to sleep, I realize that the night holds more than just wonders…