//------------------------------//
// Entry 11: Darlings 
// Story: Journal of the Princess of the Night 
// by Basmati 
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The last few days have been normal, surprisingly. I've been slightly busy, mainly with just the stuff Tia can't be bothered to deal with, but I've still had more than enough time for myself. It's strange - I thought that I would have no time whatsoever to spend with Gem, but instead, he's the one who seems busy all the time.

I have a feeling he's working on something, but he'll always try to spend time with me, but then have to rush off (not before he escorts me home, like the gentleman he is).

Not just that, but Tia also seems to keep disappearing off to places without telling me where she's going. I have a feeling she might be seeing somepony - I still think that that is the main reason she packed us up to Canterlot in the first place. Of course, she's being incredibly secretive about it, and refusing to even talk about the topic. Which leads me to the conclusion that she is seeing some stallion who lives somewhere nearby, and they are...yeah, let's stop talking about it.

It's not like I don't want to talk about sex - I don't want to talk about my sister's sex life. I don't even want to know about it. I mean, how many ponies really know as much as I know about their own sister's sex life. I don't even know why I know so much. Well, actually I do - Tia gets really open about everything when she's completely hammered. But let's not go into that - I really don't feel like talking about it. The images...

Anyway, with Tia and Gem both gone all the time, I am starting to feel quite lonely. And it's really hit home how much bigger Canterlot Castle is compared to Everfree. It feels that I'm the only pony in this gigantic castle, and I hate it. I'm really starting to miss the days when Tia would come into my room and refuse to leave until I apologised for 'being rude to your elder sister'. You can tell I'm bored when I actually start to miss Tia.

But today, I thought 'enough'. I was not going to let another day just become a blur of waking, eating, reading, and sleeping. I was going to do something. The only thing was that I had no clue what. And that was when Star Darling knocked.

"Luna?" her soft voice asked.

"Star Darling!" I exclaimed. She jumped, and immediately moved away from the door. She stood, watching me, looking incredibly alarmed at me.

"Yes, Luna?"

"What are you doing today?"

Star stood in the threshold, looking quite confused. "Err...Princ-Luna, I'm working...here...like everyday."

"I mean after that."

"Oh, well, I leave at sunset, and I go back home, until sunrise."

"May I accompany you?"

"Sorry?"

I walked over to her, and smiled as I repeated, "May I accompany you to your house?"

"Luna, my house is small, and on the outskirts of Canterlot. It is nowhere near suitable for a royal visit."

"Nonsense." I wasn't kidding about this. I do get quite annoyed with 'oh, this isn't good enough you, your Highness'. I mean, I'm no different from other ponies. Yes, I have both wings and a horn, but that doesn't mean I'm so much better than them. Alicorns may be...more powerful and we...may live longer and...some other stuff, but we are still ponies.

"But Luna, there is no way my hous-"

"I'm not taking no for an answer."

I was bored. I really didn't want to just sit here, doing nothing, for hours. So there was no way I was going to let Star Darling refuse my invitation to her house...however rude it was to invite yourself to somepony else's house.

So, I let Star off for the day, and accompanied her home. Star Darling's usual way home was walking across Canterlot, most of the time in the dark, and she refused for me walk that distance, and wanted to pay for a carriage for us. 

"Star Darling," I replied to this. "I may be a Princess, but just remember, I have more than just 'royal' power. A walk across Canterlot would be no hassle for me, and would hardly be a danger too." She opened her mouth to object, so I thought it would be a good idea to carry on. "Also, I have not taken a walk through Canterlot in an extremely long time."

So we walked.

As much as I don't like Canterlot as much as Everfree, I do like walking through Canterlot. It's relaxing, and sometimes, I quite enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city. It's nothing compared to Everfree, but it's still enjoyable.

Walking through the city reminded me of my first day here, when I walked to Gem's house, and it felt pretty much the same. Everypony was staring at me, whispering to each other and the foals looked amazed. I still get a bit annoyed when ponies feel that they cannot approach me - I mean, admiring from a distance is great and all, but I like social contact too, and nothing is better than good chat with the citizens. As joint Head of State, I feel it is my duty to know exactly how the public feel about certain issues, and the best way to find out is for them to tell me. We used to have a system where every few days, the palace doors would open and if they had a problem, ponies could ask for advice or for help. It seemed to work, until Tia got bored of sitting down for hours at a time listening to ponies 'complain' as she put it, so scrapped it.

There were a few who would fully acknowledge me, and it made my day.

"Good morning, Princess."

"Have a nice day, Your Highness."

I looked over at Star Darling. She seemed to constantly be staring at the ground, occasionally looking up to check that they were going the right way.

After a while, Star stopped and turned towards a house on the side of the road.

I honestly don't know why she was so worried. It was not as big as Gem's house, but I was expecting that - Gemini's family are unbelievably rich and also have quite a big family too. It was a normal sized home for that area of Canterlot, for any area of Canterlot. It was a lovely little cottage on the edge of Canterlot.

"Star!"

A small lilac unicorn filly ran out towards her, her short white mane and tail flying behind her. When she reached Star Darling, she jumped up and hugged her.

"What are you doing back so early?" she said, grinning and jumping up and down on the spot. 

And that was when she saw me.

She suddenly stopped jumping and stepped behind Star.

Star turned around, towards me. "Luna, this is my sister, Twinkle. Twink, this is Princess Luna."

I looked at the filly hiding behind her sister. "Hello, Twinkle. It's very nice to meet you."

Twinkle took a step out from behind her sister and stared at me for a bit.

"Are you really the princess?" she said quietly.

I nodded.

"Are you friends with Star?"

I looked over Star, smiling at her. "I hope so. Your sister is a very lovely person."

She walked up to me, looking up at me for sometime. "Are you coming into our house?" she said, pointed towards the door.

"I would like that very much," I said, smiling down at little Twinkle.

Twinkle turned around and began walking back towards the house. I looked towards Star Darling smiled, and gestured for me to go in.

Star Darling's house was...amazing. Not in the same way that Everfree Castle is amazing, but strill amazing. It was a typical little cottage, but I had not seen the inside of a typical cottage in a very long time. I have always loved the homely feeling that comes with the traditional style - castles are great and all, but it misses out that feeling of cosiness and family. Castles are too big, and cold, and dark. Small houses draw ponies closer together, instead of putting as much distance between as possible, and I've always been a fan of that. I'm not saying that I'd like to be physically closer to Tia - I see her enough as it is, too much really - but I miss the days before we were royalty, when we were just two sisters, each with a flare for magic.

"Twink," Star asked, putting her saddle bag down. "Where's Onyx?"

"He went to go and see Candy down the road," Twinkle said, giggling.

"He left you alone?! Again?"

"Not for long. He only left a minute ago."

Star ran out of the door, and came back a few moments later. "I have told him so many times. He never listens!"

"Star Darling?" I said. She turned towards me. "You have a very lovely home."

Star Darling turned to me, smiling, and opened her mouth to say something. But at that moment, the door opened and a dark blue stallion with a black mane walked in.

"Twink, where are you?" he said. He saw Star Darling and stopped. "Star? You're a bit early, aren't you?"

"The princess let me off early," she said, frowning and gesturing to me.

Onyx looked shocked, and just stood in the same position in front of the door, not moving.

Twinkle started laughing. "I think Onyx is a little surprised to see you," she said to me. She then ran towards her brother and jumped up on him. "Wake up, Onyx!", she said, poking him with her hoof.

"Luna, this is my younger brother, Onyx. Onyx, I'm pretty sure you know who she is."

"That I do," he said, slowly walking up to me. He bowed and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Royal Highness."

"Please," I said, gesturing for him to stand. "Call me Luna."

"Luna, would you like some tea?" Star asked me.

"I would love some, but I'll go make it. Where do you keep your tea leaves?" I replied, standing up.

"No, no, no. Princ-Luna, you are a guest in my home. I cannot allow a guest to serve themselves." She stood up and walked towards the kitchen. "Why don't you keep Twinkle company? Onyx, would you like to help me in the kitchen? Now."

Onyx sighed and walked towards the kitchen his head held down. Star Darling followed him, and smiled at me just before she shut the door.

So it was just me and Twinkle.

"Did you make the stars?" she said, her deep purple eyes staring up at me, filled with awe.

"I did make the stars. All by myself. A long time ago, though, but I'm still very proud of them."

"Star says they're up there, with the stars."

"Who's up there?"

"Mummy and Daddy."

The smile vanished from my face. I was silent. I had no idea. We sat in silence for a while listening to Star and Onyx in the kitchen.

"How many times have I told you about this?"

"It was for a few minutes - nothing would have happened. I was just down the road!" 

"It only takes a few minutes! Don't you remember?"

"For goodness sake, that was an accident. It's not going to happen again!"

"Star doesn't like it when Onyx leaves me alone in the house," Twinkle said. "She always talks about how it'll happen again - not sure what she means. I don't want to ask."

The kitchen door burst open and Star and Onyx both came trotting out, Star levitating a cup of tea.

"There you are," she said. putting the tea in front of me.

"I feel bad for making you this," I said, looking at her. "You serve me in my own home, and then when I go to yours, you serve me again."

"Luna, that's my job. It doesn't matter."

I sighed. That may be the case, but I still didn't like it. Then an idea hit me.

"You must come for dinner sometime then. At the castle," I said, looking at them all.

"Oh no, Princess, we couldn't possibly-" Star Darling started.

"No, you must come. We shall treat you all to a five course meal - it is the least I can do for your hospitality."

"Luna, I'm so-"

"We would love to!" Onyx said, stepping in front of Star Darling, causing her to glare furiously at him.

I spent a few more hours there, until the time came for me to leave, an hour before sunset. 

"Are you sure you'll be ok? I can contact the guards for them to come and collect you. Or, if you still insist on walking, Onyx could accompany you," Star Darling asked, looking worried.

"It is still light - in fact, it won't get dark until I get home, I can guarantee. I don't know what you're worrying about - I am perfectly capable of looking after myself."

Instead of walking, though, I opened my wings and flew. I could have used a teleportation spell, but I don't like using magic too much, and I hadn't actually used my wings for weeks. But flying was quicker than walking, and I needed to get back to castle as soon as possible. I had something to do.

As soon as I landed in the castle grounds, I ran into the castle, looking for a specific pony. And it wasn't long before I found them.

"Gold Coin?"

A orange-coated, yellow-maned unicorn stallion turned around. "Ah, good afternoon Your Highness," he said, bowing.

"I was wondering if I could speak with you about an employee, a maid of mine."

"Of course," he said, bowing his head again. He turned around and lead me into his office. He went over to his desk, and sat  on his chair, facing me. "What did you want to discuss in particular?" he said, gesturing for me to sit.

"I was just wondering...my maid, Star Darling, does an incredibly good job, and keeps me company, and goes above and beyond her duty. Is there any chance of...a pay rise for her?" I said, trying to look as innocent as possible.

He gave me a questioning look. "Any specific reason for this?"

"Well, like I said, she does her job extremely well, and goes further than just attending to me." And there was the little thing of me wanting to give them a bit more money. They were orphans, and I felt awful - partly because so are Tia and I. I wanted to do everything in my power to help them, and I knew that Star Darling would completely refuse if I gave her the money in person. This was the only way I could do it - anonymously.

"Well, unfortunately," he replied, "the wages are fixed, Princess. I cannot give Star Darling any more than her colleagues without promoting her to a higher rank beforehand."

"What would a higher rank entail?"

"All the ranks above her current position entails longer hours, more responsibility over others - things like that. Most are managerial posts, but all are taken, so it's out of the question."

I expected this. But a job with longer hours was also out of the question, what with Twinkle - I didn't want her worrying if Onyx was actually looking after her sister, or having to stay out even longer than she does now.

"Is there some sort of...'Employee of the Month' system? Like a reward system?"

"There isn't," he said. I sighed, and leant back in my chair. "But I suppose it is possible to create such a system."

I sat up. "Really?"

"Yes, it certainly is possible to introduce a system that rewards those who pay particular attention to their duties."

I beamed. "How soon?"

I really wanted to do this - Star Darling is so lovely, and she really deserves it. I only saw a glimpse of what she does for her family today, but it was obvious that they still depend on her for a lot.

I just want to do everything I can to make her life easier.