//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Luka's Lullaby // Story: Vocaloid in Equestria: beta session // by DerpyStarlet //------------------------------// I look at the dark expanse around me, taking in the distant lights. I look behind me at the mirror I've neglected this whole time. I finally relent and look into the mirror, it puzzles me. Looking down at my body I can find a variety of things about myself out, but none of these things match up to my memory. I appear to be an adult woman with generous girth and long straight pink hair, but I remember much different. The mirror shows me a different picture from either of those thoughts. I see a grey unicorn mare with crimson red eyes, wild dark brown hair with blood red tips. The image doesn't surprise me as much as it should have, I recognize the figure. I'm just a little torn about what it's supposed to mean for me, especially in a dream. I've figured that this must be a dream, only then could something this detached from reality happen. I tilt my head and watch as the pony in the mirror does the same, she mimicks all my moves. My thoughts drift to the person I used to be, the life I used to live. Dark brown wavy hair, brown eyes. Glasses, average build and weight. I used to live an uneventful life as a teenage boy, with nothing of excitement at all. Not even a job to do, and not much to call my own. My family is ok, if kind of distant. Friends, that's a strange spot for me. I wasn't always the most social, but I tended to have a good amount. Or, should I say, had. I'm still not entirely sure what happened, but I'm positive the life I used to have, I don't have anymore. I consider what it should mean that my body and my reflection are that of a female when I'd been male before. Add the fact that I have a female's mentality and it becomes pretty clear what the universe is trying to tell me. I stare at my reflection for the longest time, just contemplating life in general when I get the feeling of someone behind me. I turn around, and I'm met with quite the sight. "Princess," I nod respectfully and turn back to the mirror, Princess Luna walks up and stands behind me. She looks at my reflection and I hear a gasp, I just stare at the image in the mirror. "Why dost thine reflection portray a pony?" Luna asks in shock, I roll my eyes at her old english. "Why wouldn't it?" I retort. "Thou art not from Equestria, correct?" Luna asks. "No," I answer simply, wondering how Luna would know. "So, why wouldst the mirror show thee an image that is clearly not thineself?" Luna asks. "Internal turmoil, identity issues, a broken mind. There are too many reasons to count. Though, I must ask, why are you not surprised at what I am?" I ask questioningly. "I've spoken to others in a similar situation... why dost thou react in such a manner? Dost thou not feel strongly about the situation at hoof?" Luna asks in curiousity. "Of course I feel strongly, I try not to act entirely on my feelings. Besides, I'm more confused than anything..." I respond. "Who art thou?" Luna asks. "I'm not sure anymore," I chuckle lightly, "I'm getting a bunch of different answers. The mirror is saying Starlet, my mind is telling me Skylar, and my body seems to insist on Megurine Luka. I can't be positive, but I think my body is winning... just call me Luka," I reply. "It puzzles us. The others had much stronger reactions than contemplative thought, they were much more lively in their actions. Yet, here that is not the case. It reflects in the landscape, which we are quite curious about. You clearly have modeled it, but it still seems mostly empty," Luna muses. "Yes, it's a happy space for me. It reminds me of fond moments," I tell her, she looks at the distant lights. "Where exactly is this supposed to be? Space? We can assure you it would not look like this," Luna scoffs at the distant lights. "I know, it's not space. It's not a place I'm comfortable with most knowing," I say. "We are not most," Luna huffs indignantly. "No, but I'm uncomfortable all the same," I respond. "You dare to deny us knowledge?! Dost thou think us simple minded? We are a princess, we deserve respect!" Luna yells. "Stay thine rage, Princess. I don't think you're simple minded, but it's personal to me." I try to soothe, Luna calms down a little. "That calm is offsetting, not many ponies would be able to stand their ground like that," Luna says aggravatedly. "Dreams can give you the bit of courage you couldn't get in the real world," I say, Luna seems to nod in agreement. "Art thou suggesting that thine personality is not the same as thineself while awake?" Luna asks. "Probably, but maybe not," I look at the mirror once more. "Dost thou have any idea why thou art here?" Luna asks. "Because I fell asleep," I answer simply. "No, in Equestria" Luna corrects aggravatedly. "Because some entity wanted us to participate in some big experiment," I sigh exasperatedly. "Dost thou have any idea who thine employer is?" Luna asks. "I have a pretty good idea, but I'm more concerned about what he has planned for us," I tell, Luna. "What is the plan?" Luna asks in earnest. "I don't know..." but I have an idea of the general gist of it. I look back over to the mirror, seeing once more that unicorn mare. I turn away from the mirror and walk away, Luna pulls up beside me. "Where dost thou go?" Luna asks in surprise. "I don't know, I just need to sort out my thoughts... it just got that much harder to find out who I am." I sigh, Luna simply nods. She turns away from me and I stop, I turn to her. "Are you leaving?" I ask, she simply nods. "Luna," I call out, she turns back to me. "I always had a soft spot for your night, thank you," Luna looks shocked at the compliment, but she nods in acknowledgement. She leaves the dream and I turn back to my walking, I continue on. I look at my hands, they're foreign to me. But, they feel like they fit, like my mind is adjusting to the change. It almost feels like some outside force is trying to change me. I have a feeling it would have no problem if my identity wasn't already so shattered. I try to ignore those thoughts, but it's always been difficult for me. Identity was one of the things I struggled with constantly, it still is something I struggle with. In fact, it's the reason I'm such a neutral party. Sometimes I like to think I have definite views and decisions on some things, but I really don't. My decision is never constant, much the same as my personality. Such chaotic seeming feelings, but there is a beautiful harmony to it. No order, just a semblance of harmony. Much the same as the smidgen of chaos, to keep the harmony in check. It can get confusing to others, but I manage to keep track of it all. I walk into the vast expanse towards some distance lights, losing myself in my thoughts.