I silently took a sip in my teacup as I leaned on the balcony. Stargazing while drinking a warm drink was even in summer one of the best ways to spend an evening. Sunset was also enjoying a cup of tea next to me as she was watching at Ponyville. We were looking the stars in silence for almost ten minutes when she murmured in a voice full of respect:
"The equestrian sky is so beautiful... In my world, the stars aren't as bright as they are here. And even in my memories, it wasn't as astonishing as it is tonight."
Indeed it was. The moon was full, enlightening the night sky and Equestria with a dim appeasing light. All around the celestial body, hundreds of stars were as luminaries attached on the darkness in complex, yet recognizable patterns. I could only smile at this magnificent scenery.
"Since her return two years ago, Princess Luna is doing her best to make the night sky as vivid as she can without altering the constellations." I explained "Some ponies haven't notice it yet, but there is a big difference. A few days ago, she has made a meteorite shower in the middle of the night... It was simply amazing."
"What do you mean by some ponies haven't noticing it yet?" She asked as she looked at me.
"There are ponies who aren't as interested in the night sky as we are." I pointed my hoof to the moon. "There is so much left to know up there, yet some ponies just think it is not worth the effort. Even when I try to show them the wonders of the universe, they sometimes just not even care at all."
"Don't tell me about that. I was often stargazing on my own, even after I left Equestria. And even now, with the few friends I have, I haven't found someone who wants to look at the stars with me." She gloomily said.
"I'd be happy to do it with you during your stay, Sunset." I promptly answer as I put my hoof on her shoulder.
"Thanks you, Princess." She murmured as she blushed. "I'd love to."
"Stop calling me "Princess". I am just Twilight for you, as I am for all my friends. And you are one of them, Sunset."
She didn't answer right away; she just turned her face in the direction of Ponyville. I imitated her and look at the city. One after the other, the lights were getting extinguished as the ponies were going to bed. Ponyville was one of those cities which were completely different whether it was night time or day time. It was a town full of life when the sun was up, but it was almost supernatural in its calm when every pony was asleep. Some places were even eerie after dusk, as the outer boundaries of the Everfree Forest.
Sunset took me away from my thoughts as she slightly poked my shoulder and showed me a hill nearby with a gesture of her head. She was pointing at a mare and a stallion that were also stargazing and she told me we weren't the only one enjoying the stars. I easily recognized Time Turner and the mail mare. I sighed with a softened smile:
"They are such a cute couple... Yes, I often see then near the castle after twilight. Their love has bloomed under the stars, this is so romantic."
"Yes it is..." My friend murmured. "I didn't know you were the romantic type."
"I confess I might be." I chuckled slightly. "I'm just not showing it a lot and it is not as if someone actually cared."
"It sounds like you never went on a date." She said as she raised her eyebrow. "I have difficulty to imagine that."
"I did a few times, but none of those ended with a serious relationship. I often get ask out for a date since I'm a princess, but I can't take it seriously." I sighed. "Almost every morning, I find three or so love letters in my letterbox. I don't think I might find someone anytime soon. Someone who actually cares about who I am and not about all this princessy stuff."
"I'm sure someone will eventually notice how cute you are." Sunset murmured as she looked at the sky.
"What... What did you say?" I stammered as I blushed.
"Nothing." She promptly said.
I saw her blushing as well, despite the obscurity that was surrounding us. What did she mean to say? I felt uneasy for a few seconds, since I was not used to this kind of compliment, but then a smile naturally came on my muzzle. I didn't know what I was supposed to answer, so I simply decided to say.
"Thank you, Sunset."
"I really meant it."
"I..."
My cheeks flushed once again as I looked at her. She was still gazing at the stars. It was like she was trying to avoid any eye contact with me. I cleared my throat before returning to the stargazing. I couldn't tell why but her compliment, despite being a genuine one, was making me puzzled as to why she did say it. And even more about why she told me she meant it. I took a quick inspiration to banish those thoughts from my mind. I was over analyzing again. I was simply a kind word from a friend who was trying to cheer me up, nothing else. However, she was giving me nervous looks and slightly biting her lips.
"Is everything okay, Sunset?"
"Yes, I just want you to know that I'm very happy to be here." She answered eventually. "Having a break and going back home is always nice." She quickly added.
I nodded silently, wondering if she was actually trying to tell me something, but without daring to say it aloud. It was obvious that she was preoccupied, but was it because of me? Maybe I said something I shouldn't have.
"I know you said that everything is all right, but I'm really concerned. You can tell me everything you know."
"You are too kind, Twilight." She weakly said. "Sure I know I can tell you everything, since you are... Well, you."
"I'm trying to do my best to help my friends."
"You are kind to everyone, Twilight. You are the one who helped me to change for the better. You are the one who introduced me to the real meaning of friendship..." Sunset exposed slowly as she looked at me again. "I don't know how to put it up with words...“ Her cheeks blushed slightly. ”You see, what I mean is... You are kind, you are smart... I..."
"Twilight!"
Sunset and I quickly turned around as Spike yelled my name from inside the castle. He violently opened the door of the balcony. He was panting; he had obviously been running really fast. Between two quick inspirations, he managed to say:
"There is a changeling... In the library, near the portal...!"