//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: Waning and Waxing // by Calliope Pony //------------------------------// I woke up this evening to that same gnawing unhappiness. I feel it so often now that I’m getting dull to it. Sometimes it seems like the best I can hope for is to feel numb, to not feel anything at all. It’s better than the gnawing feeling. As I walk along the corridor. Celestia comes rushing up to me, a big smile on her face. She hasn’t greeted me like that in years. “Oh, Luna, guess what? I was talking with some of the royal advisors, and they’ve come up with a wonderful idea.” The gnawing feeling is lifting. I don’t feel happy, but I feel interested. That’s better than the numbness. “What kind of idea?” “They’re proposing we instate a new festival, a celebration for all of Equestria to come together.” That actually sounds nice. Maybe it would be a chance for me to see some ponies. “What would the festival be for?” “The summer solstice! A festival to celebrate the longest day of the year when ponies have the most time to be together. They want to call it the Summer Sun Celebration!” I feel like someone dropped a boulder into my stomach. Celestia prattles on about the wonderful plans for this new festival. I don’t hear half of what she says. Finally she stops talking long enough to actually look at me. “Is something wrong, Luna? You don’t look well.” “I’m fine. This festival sounds great. A chance to celebrate the sun. I guess there won’t be much of anything for me to be involved in.” She actually does look concerned. “Oh Luna, I hadn’t thought of it like that. Don’t you worry though; there will be plenty of chances for you to be part of the celebration. Hey, maybe if this one goes well we could also start a Winter Moon Celebration for the winter solstice. Although, we already celebrate Hearth’s Warming at midwinter. I don’t know if it would make much sense to have two festivals so close together... Anyway, I can’t stay and talk about all this much right now. I’ve got another quick meeting to get to before I go to bed. Have a good night!” I just stand there for a long time after she leaves. I take deep breaths, trying to keep it together. A new festival just to celebrate when we have the least amount of nighttime. They really don’t care about me anymore. Celestia’s talk of maybe having another festival at midwinter... but she’s right. We already celebrate Hearth’s Warming that time of year. There’s no point in having two festivals at the same time. One’s enough; no need for two.