First Interview with Her Royal Highness Princess Luna
This transcript includes more detailed notation and a record of silences indicated numerically in seconds.
Subsequent interviews were conducted with more decorum and are more informative. This interview was included as it prompted several areas of research.
Date: 1216/02/13
Time: 2:45 AM
Interviewer: TWILIGHT SPARKLE
Interviewee: PRINCESS LUNA
(Start of Interview)
TWILIGHT SPARKLE: First let me say how much of an honour it is to be able to interview you, Princess Luna.
PRINCESS LUNA: The honour is mutual, Twilight Sparkle. It is pleasing that you are willing to engage your task at this hour. Few ponies wish to do so.
TS: I've been— (inaudible) been getting used to early hours recently. Lyra—
PL: Ah yes, the one called who desires to be called loopy.
TS: You've been talking to my mother again.
PL: Ah. Another of her questionable jokes. I understand.
(1.1)
TS: Well, anyway, um, ah, lets start with (pause) your full title. For the recording.
PL: Very well. By name I am Luna de Losna, though I have been known by many names to many peoples in times past. Moon Dancer, Star Walker, Diana, Selene, Mother of Night, The Hunter, Wanderer. Many more. (inaudible) miss that one the most.
TS: And these—
PL: Many are incorporated into my full official title, but I shall not repeat the entire thing as it would take far too long, and I suspect your little device would grow bored.
TS: Oh. Yeah, it's been acting up again.
PL: The title that I bear for most official purposes is Her Royal Highness Princess Luna of Equestria, Regent of the Moon, Duchess of Hesperia and the Bit Islands, Grand Judge of Night. I'm also a legal scholar, though I have yet to be engaged in any capacity since my return. It is rather amusing to think that such a role requires that I guess the will of Celestia when I can simply ask her.
TS: Oh. Yeah, I thought about legal training once. It didn't appeal.
(4)
PL: I see that a questionable sense of humour is a trait in your family.
TS: Well excuse me p—
PL: Do not.
TS: Sorry. (inaudible) was funny.
PL: Perhaps. I am merely aware that our time is limited. Be at peace, Twilight Sparkle.
TS: Okay, well, perhaps— perhaps you could briefly describe your duties as a princess?
PL: Briefly? (laughter) I shall try.
TS: Succinctly, then.
PL: You are aware of my affinity for the moon—it is my elemental role. I raise the moon each night, and lower it each morning.
TS: So far so popular.
PL: In addition I convene what is popularly referred to as the night court, though it rarely take place at night. I also serve as the seated secretary of Parliament, though it is rare that I actually take that seat, and I assist my sister Celestia in the general administration of our laws and government to whatever degree we feel it is appropriate.
TS: That's actually more than I expected. Were these all things you did before—um... before?
PL: In fact no. I have assumed many of Celestia's former roles since my return. Only my affinity for the moon remains from before. I have often considered restoring my judicial roles, but I am told that the high court now serves adequately.
(2.2)
TS: Can—Can I ask about the changes that have taken place in your absence?
PL: Where do I begin? (laughter) Equestria feels so big now. When I departed, it was but a tiny place. It stretched from Manehattan on the coast to just west of Canterlot, leaving much of the continent empty or unclaimed by any great power. I have yet to fully explore much of the land that has been annexed since.
TS: Annexed?
PL: Forgive me. Incorporated. Is that the correct terminology?
TS: I think the word you're after is federated.
PL: Ah yes. There was a time when rebellious provinces were brought under the yoke of an all-powerful ruler, but—ah, the past is truly another country. Celestia has remarked that she would not wish to be reminded of such days, though I cannot feel that much has been lost in this era of civic fumbling and meandering politicians. That great city of Roam, I am given to understand, is now merely the administrative capital of one of these federatings.
TS: They're called states, and Roam is actually the capital of a dependent Queendom. Only about a third of Equestria is federated at the moment. The rest is still a combination of provinces, dependencies and titled lands.
PL: Ah, the Nobility. Never was a name so ironic. (laughter) Present company excepted, of course.
TS: Thanks, I guess.
PL: Still, this form of government intrigues, does it not? A mishmash of arrangements. Somehow it has brought about a peace that I never knew in my era. Why, even minotaurs roam the land unmolested! And this human of yours—he has such a fine voice, does he not? In my own day he might well have become a ward of the royal court and perform for our pleasure. Tis a pity such cannot be so. Were I not pursuing your mother's herd—
TS: Moving on! (inaudible)
PL: I fear I have erred again...
TS: (inaudible)
PL: Perhaps if we were to discuss—
TS: (inaudible) another time. I don't think I can keep this up right now.
PL: You may return whenever you like, Twilight Sparkle. During the day, too, if that is preferable. After all, an alicorn such as I rarely needs sleep.
TS: Oh. I could have come during the day?
PL: As I said. But I thank you for visiting at this hour anyway, Twilight Sparkle. I seldom have visitors so late. It is refreshing.
TS: Oh. (inaudible)
PL:Perhaps you might tell me of this device? It is rather impressive, even for the advances of this age.
TS: This—oh! Yeah, it's, well I'd have to turn it off to show you properly, but it—
(RECORDING ENDS)