//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: My Dearest Dusk // by CrackedInkWell //------------------------------// Dusk Shine walked up to the mirror, for he needed his reflection to do his thought experiment. The Prince heard a saying that said that the greatest way to know yourself, is by getting to know yourself. Sometimes, when he has a personal problem that nopony could answer, he would turn to this thought experiment as a last resort. In this case, it is a question that only he could answer, and so, he tapped on the mirror with a hoof, and let the experiment begin. “Hey, are you there?” ‘Dusk,’ his reflection said with a grin. ‘Long time no see, how’ve you been?’ “I guess I’m alright, but…” His reflection raised an eyebrow, ‘Yes?’ “But something has come up and I need some advice-” ‘So you turn to me,’ his mirror image nodded. ‘Well, go ahead, what’s the problem this time?’ “This is gonna be a bit hard to explain but… it’s a personal problem.” ‘Spit it out then, what’s going on?’ “Prince Solaris is in love with me." Dusk saw his reflection raised both of his eyebrows. "He explained it from what’s left of the love letters that remained.” ‘What’s left?’ “Yeah, he came in this morning and burned most of them. He looked a bit... stressed before he set fire to them, but Spines was able to save a few. I’ve only read through four of the nine letters.” ‘Huh,’ his reflection put a hoof to his chin. ‘Out of curiosity, how many letters were there before the Prince burned them?’ “There must have been hundreds, probably close to a thousand at least.” Dusk’s mirror image gave a low whistle, ‘Wow, he must have written daily just to get it close to that number, don’t ya think? Wait, do you know how long he’s been writing these?’ “At least from around when I turned eighteen.” ‘Okay, is the problem that Solaris really likes you, or is it something else?’ The lilac alicorn shrugged, “Maybe that, along with something else.” ‘And that being?’ “Do you… Am I… Oh how do I say this without making it sound too weird…? Is it possible that I could be attracted to him as well?” His reflection tilted his head, ‘Define attraction?’ “Let me put it like this. When I was reading through his letters, I noticed something odd. You know how ponies that are straight are usually uncomfortable when they’re being flirted with by somepony of the same gender as they are?” ‘That’s basic attraction 101,’ his reflection replied. ‘Ponies tend to lean towards those they feel attracted to, so by contrast, they would naturally feel uncomfortable if somepony that they have no interest nor appeal to be with is flirting with them. So where are you going with this?’ “That’s the thing,” Dusk explained, “When I read them, there was none of that feeling of uncomfortable or uneasiness. If anything, I’m actually looking forward to reading more. Plus, Spines made a joke how that Solaris, as she puts it, ‘has the hots for me.’ And I felt embarrassed! Why?” ‘Oh, I get it,’ his mirror image knowingly nodded. ‘You’re wondering if you’re really attracted to a stallion like him too, huh?’ “W-Well, not exactly, it’s just that… I…” Dusk Shine’s copy looked unconvinced. He sighed. “Yes,” he admitted. ‘Well then, I think I know where to start. Mind if ask you a few things?’ “What?” ‘So, when I say these names, would you care to tell me what comes to mind?’ “I suppose not.” ‘Okay, what do you think about Bonnie in the human world?’ “Oh… she’s nice. Good looking plays the guitar…” the Prince trailed off, “… and… I can’t think of anything else.” ‘Okay, what about somepony much closer to home, like say… Rainbow Blitz?’ “He’s an excellent flyer. I mean sure, he brags a lot, but he does care about his friends. I don’t think that he would allow something like fame gets in the way of what’s really important.” ‘Barry Bubble?’ “I can only describe him as a colt that grew up on a never-ending sugar rush. His passion’s not only in making others laugh, but making them feel good about being themselves and having fun.” ‘Butterscotch?’ “He’s quiet, very reserved, but has the heart of solid gold. And he’s selfless, too. When the time calls for it, he can be kind by keeping his friendly approach to everything in life.” ‘Elusive?’ Dusk laughed. “A drama king with upper-class tendencies. I mean sure, even I can admit that he can get a little too strict in the name of fashion. Then again, if it’s to the point where somepony is in need of something, he wouldn’t hesitate to give it without any second thoughts.” ‘Honest Applejack?’ “A hard worker, and a family stallion that, even though he’s not a father, treats everypony he encounters as if they were family as well.” ‘And what of Solaris?’ “Solaris… he’s… probably the best pony that I have the privilege to know. I mean, he’s taught me so much, not just about magic or history or philosophy, but about life in general. He’s the one who introduced me to what friendship really is. He never turned me away for anything… he reached out to me when nopony else would… Even when he was busy, he always found ways to set aside what he was doing so that we could just have a talk about whatever I wanted. He’s been so selfless, and wise, and…” ‘Yes…?’ His reflection said waving a hoof. ‘Is there anything you would like to share with the class?’ Dusk looked at himself in the mirror, staring at his reflection for quite some time. At last, he spoke what was on his mind, “Do you think… I might be… but… but what about Bonnie? Was that fake?” ‘Depends,’ his copy in the looking glass replied, 'were you attracted to her?’ “Well, she’s certainly pretty and all but-” ‘But…’ “Looking back now… It was all… shallow. It’s almost as if there was nothing much to go back to.” ‘So what’s so different between her, and his Highness?’ Dusk paused but gave the answer. “Because… Solaris is… is… wonderful.”