//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Dinky Doo and the Quest for the Sacred Treats // by PaulAsaran //------------------------------// Princess Luna stepped out of her chariot and greeted the Lunar Guard at the door. Before entering Canterlot Castle, she turned to the massive bags sitting in the back of her chariot. A single, smaller bag rose in her aura. “See to it that half the candy here is distributed amongst the families of the Royal Guard, and the rest to the charities I named prior. Oh–” She then gestured to her drivers, who had fallen to the ground in pools of their own sweat. “–and see to it those two get a few paid nights off.” After receiving confirmation, she pranced into the castle, unwrapped a lone lollipop and delighted in its fruity taste. Knowing her sister was likely to be asleep already, she instead turned for her own chambers. Her lips were kept in a delighted smile the entire way, and she merrily greeted every guard she passed, which they returned with no small amount of cheer. She couldn’t help but recall how different their reactions were from the last Nightmare Night. The music touched her ears, faint at first but steadily growing louder. It was a slow piece, but a familiar one, warming her heart and calming her bubbling eagerness. Yet even the soft tones of Tārā Sapnā couldn’t completely dispel her abundant energy. With a greeting to her two guards, she pushed open the door to her chambers and was immediately surrounded by the deep, quiet music. Octavia Melody paused in her playing, casting a red-eyed gaze upon the princess and offering a fanged smile. “Good evening, Luna. Happy Nightmare Night.” “Happy Nightmare Night, Octavia!” Luna set her bag of spoils down on a nearby table and took in her mare’s appearance. “No wings this year?” “I thought a more legitimate vampire illusion was appropriate,” she replied, setting her cello on its stand. “so I asked Miss de Lis to forgo them. I take it the visit went well this year?” “It was splendid,” Luna declared, raising her lollipop in the air like a trophy. “And quite enlightening. I had no idea the foals of this age were so well-versed in the tenets of Harmony. It seems my sister can do something right after all.” That last with a chuckle and a wry smile. “That’s good to know.” Octavia sidled up to the princess and pressed her cheek to her shoulder. “Maybe next year I’ll go with you. Oh, and you did remember to invite Twilight, didn’t you?” “Oh. Uh… about that.” Luna sat back and rubbed her hooves together with a sheepish smile. Octavia’s raised eyebrow brought out a blush. “Well, I learned all about this wonderful adventure Dinky had, and it was truly touching. I found myself rather… erm… enamored, you see.” Octavia’s smile turned mischievous. “Luna, did you invite a foal to our wedding?” Luna made a ducking motion. “I might have invited a few foals. And their families, of course.” “I should have expected it.” Octavia giggled and pressed against her fiancée, a warm smile on her lips. “I don’t really mind. The more the merrier, right? Just so long as you invited Twilight.” A long, quiet pause. “You did invite Twilight, right? “Umm…” Octavia sighed and buried her face in Luna’s coat. “What am I going to do with you?” “Love me?” “If I must.” “Oh, don’t be like that.” Luna pulled an Unholy Truffle Amulet from the nearby bag. “Here. Truce?” Octavia stared at the gold-wrapped candy, then at Luna’s pleading face. At last she grinned and took the offered treat. “Fine, but only because you spoil me rotten.” “Huzzah!” Luna raised her hoof – and lollipop – yet again. “Am I not the greatest negotiator of romances ever?” The musician rolled her eyes, but didn’t lose her grin. “You’re adorkable, Luna. Now give me some more of that candy.”