> Across the Universe
>  by Comet Burst
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Le Début
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The gray clouds of winter hung motionless in the sky, despite the chilling wind whipping through the city. Frost had gathered on the edges of the windows, creating their beautiful sculptures as water dripped from the roof into puddles along the cobblestones. The sound of hundreds of ponies shuffling along echoed among the stone and brick walls of the stores lining the street, proving there was still life amid the cold. Dead leaves scattered about the road were lifted with the wind, flying to the sky as they drifted about. With every small gust, ponies pulled their scarfs, hats and coats closer.

In the distance, the magnificent gold and white castle of Canterlot rose from the mountainside, it's windows shuttered and smoke rising from the many chimneys. The magnificent Royal Gardens had blankets and bedsheets wrapped around the many bushes, trees and shrubs residing there. Guards in thick winter armor and coats stood near the doors with only a brave few willing to follow the patrol routes. The stone beneath them was icy cold, numbing their hooves as they stood. Not a single pony complained, but even with their training, some couldn't help but clatter their teeth when the wind arrives, along with a trail of leaves.

One such leaf followed the current up the side of the castle spire, flitting and spinning carelessly past the stonework. The wind eventually moved on, abandoning the lead to a slow spiral back to the ground once it neared the purple roof of the tower. As it passed, a warm waft of air blew below it before the cold rushed in, pulling the poor leaf into an open window. It landed with a soft skid on a wonderfully crafted wool carpet, flittering as the long leg of a pure white pony walked by, her rainbow tail trailing along the floor. With a soft clack, the wind stopped and the leaf lay still as she passed by again, ignoring the intruder and laying back down on the carpet.

"Brrr," she said, shivering slightly. "Winter has finally arrived, hasn't it?"

She looked around the room with her gorgeous magenta eyes, scanning the purple walls and inviting four poster bed before frowning and turning back to an open book with a quill laid across the blank pages. Her horn lit as the quill lifted itself and floated over to a small inkwell, dipped the tip into it and began to scribble onto the empty pages. The frown she wore was quickly replaced with a smile as she watched the words be penned. Glancing up, she watched the roaring fire in her fireplace, her gaze enraptured with the dancing orange. She tilted her head, blinking once before returning to the book and reading the lines written into the page.

Her smile seemed to fade for a second as she paused, staring at the page the same way she stared at the fire. She blinked and placed a golden shoed hoof on her chin, tapping it slightly as she thought. The quill hovered mere centimeters away from the page, poking the air ever so slightly as she read it again.

"No, no," she said with a defeated sigh. "That's not right either."

Frowning again, she laid the quill back down pursed her lips and looked off into a corner of the room, staring into space. With the quill's scratching gone, only the small crackles and pops of the fire could be heard, accented by the faint whistling of the wind outside. Turning back to the fire, she sighed as her horn lit and a tea set for one popped into the air next to her. Smiling again, she watched the teapot tilt over and fill the cup. Two cubes of sugar danced about the air before plopping down into the steaming amber tea, dissolving almost instantly. A spoon dipped itself daintily into the tea and stirred it slowly, ensuring the granules had all mixed in properly when she took a sip, feeling the soothing warmth wash over her tongue.

"Mmmm. East Saddle Arabian black tea," she said, sipping it once more.

Placing the cup down, the quill lifted itself again and Princess Celestia smiled as it scratched along the paper once more.





The sound of hooves drowned out the scratching of a man sitting at a table, writing into a pocketbook in his hand. Glancing up, he frowned as the soft wind tousled his curly brown hair, watching a cart travel by with casks of wine big enough to hold him within. A sniff escaped him as the people milled about, some shouting about the revolution and waving their flag in the air while others tried to hand out pamphlets to those passing by. Golden sunlight gleamed off the roofs of the chateaus, casting dancing gleams of light onto the mud and cobblestones. 

Grunting, the man stood and reached into his overcoat, fishing out a couple five franc coins. He tossed them onto the table, bound his pocketbook and strode off into the crowd, pulling his coat tighter around him. The rabble of the masses rose as he passed each street, watching as they danced, rioted and made speeches on carts and tables, each with large crowds gathered around them. Sniffing again, he stifled a sneeze while he passed a butcher shop, listening to the flies buzz as the meat monger yelled into the crowd, trying to sell his wares. Pressing himself between the women, he managed to free himself when he heard a familiar voice.

"Jacques!" came a voice to his right.

Glancing over, Jacques looked down the street at the masses gathering around the wine cart he saw earlier, frantically reaching up to help get the barrels off. Atop the cart stood three men, each unfastening the casks and spinning them to the back where several soldiers parted the crowd while a few workmen placed planks for the casks to slide down. Confused, Jacques looked to either side before a hand clapped down on his shoulder, making him flinch as a weight pressed down on him.

"Jacques!" the voice said again, full of glee. A toothy grin filled his vision as a man leaned in, supporting himself on Jacques' shoulder while a woman giggled madly in his other arm. Jacques smiled weakly as the scent of wine assaulted his nose and stung his eyes.

"Pierre," he said, reaching up and clapping his other hand on the man's.

"Jacques, what is blazes are you *hic* doing all by your lonesome?" Pierre said, his words on the verge of slurring. "It's a new day! Vive la Revolution!"

Several shouts of approval came from around them as Pierre leaned back, his blonde hair flipping while he released his arm from around the woman and chugged from a bottle.

"Yeah, vive la revolution," Jacques said, his smile turning awkward.

"Oh, come now," Pierre replied, wrapping his arm around the woman again. "We're free! No more kings or nobles! Every man can make his own fortunes! It's all we've ever wanted!"

"Yeah, it's, uh, great," Jacques replied, trying to pry Pierre's hand off his shoulder. "Can't believe it happened."

"But it did," Pierre said, pulling the wine bottle from his lips again. "And I was there! At the Bastille! Best day of my life. No *hic* guards were stopping us and we showed the king we are not afraid of him."

The woman giggled as she ran her hand up Pierre's chest, eyeing him with the most sultry gaze she could muster. Pierre looked over to her and smiled wider. "Yes, we ran through the corridors, freeing all the citizens inside. It was like God himself was directing us."

Jacques smile finally dropped off his face as Pierre rambled on to the woman, finally removing his hand and using it to play with her curly hair.  Wiping off his shoulder, Jacques heard a cry ring out through the crowd in front of them and looked up in time to see one of the casks topple from the cart, nearly crushing one of the workers as he dove out of the way. It fell in slow motion, tumbling the short distance to the mud before bursting like a ripe tomato. Red wine sprayed outward and the people cheered, rushing forward to scoop up some of the wine. The guards tried to fend off the masses, but were eventually shoved aside and disappeared as the people fought for a drink.

"Free wine!" Pierre shouted as he and the woman ran towards the crowd, shoving a few aside before he thrust the bottle into the air. "Viva la Revolution!"

Jacques straightened his jacket while the people roared in approval, scrunching up his nose before turning and walking down the road again, determined to avoid eye contact with anyone. The next few minutes were silent as he passed the many buildings huddled around the avenue, most with the new flag of France flying from their balconies. The rabble eventually grew quieter as he moved away from the center of the city and passed into the much nicer Le Marais borough. Tall, proud estates lined the streets with beautiful wrought iron fences guarding them faithfully. Amber and orange leaves blew down the road as the trees swayed in the wind, blocking some of the sunlight.

His pace slowed as he looked up at the trees, smiling while memories of climbing the ones near his childhood home came back. Shaking his head, he pushed past a couple and made his way over to a small café. A woman outside furiously wiped off the table before glancing up and smiled.

"Ah, Jacques. Welcome back," she said as he passed by.

He nodded to her, returning her smile as he entered the café, noting the emptiness of the shop. Behind the counter, a balding man stood there, wiping off cups with a rag as Jacques walked up to it. The tender glanced up as Jacques leaned onto the richly colored wood and smiled.

"What do you want?" he asked with a voice far more gruff than he looked.

"I'm here to rent a room from you," Jacques said, pulling a small note from his pocket.





Princess Celestia sighed, reclining on her pillows while she savored the warmth from the tea and fire. Her horn lit and her cyan magic covered her tiara, lifting it from her crown while the necklace around her neck clicked free. She glanced over to the window, noting the stars were twinkling brightly as Luna's moon rose into the sky. A small sigh escaped her as she kicked off her slippers, sending them clattering on the floor closer to the fire where they could keep warm. Today had been a quiet day. No major disasters, no reports of monsters ransacking towns or cities and certainly no incursions from Discord or anypony.

She wiggled as she snuggled against the plush pillows, wondering if she should summon another batch of tea when heard a couple of hooves outside her door. Craning her neck, she watched it for a few seconds before the sound of hooves rang out again, making her smile. Her guards must have been tired from standing watch all day and she hoped they'd get some well deserved rest.

The thoughts of them sleeping stuck in her mind and her eyelids grew heavy. Saddle Arabian tea was very strong, keeping her alert until the caffeine wore off. When it did, she always needed a small nap. She brought a hoof to her mouth and yawned at it, shivering once she finished. Perhaps a small nap by the fire before bed wouldn't be so bad. An idea struck her, though, as she looked over to her bed and her horn lit again. The four corners of the blanket lifted in unison, floating over to her and draping it across her body. She shivered at the cold touch of the fabric and snuggled against her pillows more, confident it would warm nicely next to the fire.

Laying her head down, Princess Celestia watched the dancing flames as her eyes began to close. The figured the fire made in the air was a wonderful sight to watch, and soon she found herself reclining on a beach with a clear blue sky overhead. A gentle breeze began to blow through the palm trees as she sighed, enjoying the sounds of the ocean.





Jacques lay on his back, staring at the wooden rafters as he thought about nothing in particular. A small fire crackled in the tiny fireplace as his socks and boots sat near it, drying from the day. His coat hung on the back of a chair at the writing desk under the window to the right of the fireplace, along with his nice shirt and pants. He rolled to his left and stared out the window into the starry sky as the skyline of Paris stretched out before him.

The city was beautiful under the stars, each home having a light twinkling within to match the endless expanse above. He could see the lights of the revelers still celebrating their independence in the distance, along with the mass of candles burning outside of Notre Dame. His gaze lifted from the city and into the sky, observing all the stars as they formed the many constellations in the pitch black sky. He had heard the theories the scientists were coming up with about them, saying they were other suns farther away from the planet than the planet was big. While he wasn't really against what the scientist said, Jacques gave their theories very little thought.

Still, he continued to stare into the sky and trace the constellations his father had shown him long ago. From here, he could see Orion, the hunter and Ursa Major, along with many smaller ones. There was an almost endless number of them and his eyes grew tired from tracing their lines. Rolling over, Jacques stared at the fire until he drifted off to sleep, his thoughts swirling.

He stood on a glorious yellow beach with an endless blue ocean in front of him, much like those he had heard of from the sailors and soldiers. The air was warm, much warmer than he had ever experienced in France, and the sound of the ocean filled his ears. Taking a deep breath, he smelled the salty water and smiled before turning and walking down the coastline. The sand was much more fine than the chunky and wet clumps on the shores of Normandy he remembered, feeling like sugar beneath his bare feet. His coat drifted with the breeze as he spread his arms, inhaling the fresh air again when he felt something new under his foot.





"Hey! Luna!" Celestia said, snapping out of her enjoyment as a hoof pressed into her mane. It immediately backed off as she rose, rubbing the crown of her head where her mane still stung. She snorted, turning to see who had interrupted her daze when the pony spoke.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry!" he spoke with a strange accent.

She had some choice words in mind when she froze, staring at the pony towering above her. It certainly wasn't Luna due to the deep brown coat covering his body. His shiny hooves poked out from underneath his coat, leading her up his well defined body to a set of green eyes that sparkled like emeralds. A set of large wings were spread in alarm, similar to her own as his forehoof hung in the air.





Jacques stared in amazement at the woman below him, watching as her rainbow hair drifted in the wind. She wore a simple dress of pure white with golden bangles on her slender arms and sandals of the same gold weaving up her legs. He stared into her eyes, watching as the deep magenta drew him in to her perfectly shaped face. She was beautiful, more than any woman he had ever met as he took a step back.

"A-Are you a goddess?" he asked.

A look of confusion crossed her face as she stared back. "No, but are you a prince?" she asked, her eyes filling with wonder.





"Uh, no," the pony replied, his wings pressing back against his body. "Being royalty isn't a good thing right now."

"Why?" Celestia asked, still staring at his eyes.

"You know, the revolution," he said, taking another step back. "Are you sure you're not a goddess?"

Celestia giggled at the compliment, blushing slightly as she broke her stare. "No, I'm sure."

The pony seemed to relax at that, placing all his hooves on the sand and leaning over to keep staring at her. "Could've fooled me."

Celestia smiled wide as he reached out a hoof and patted the sand next to her, nodding to him. Thankfully, he picked up on the offer and sat next to her, still staring as she flicked her mane back. "No, but I suppose being a princess does give that impression sometimes."





Jacques' eyes widened as the woman spoke. A princess? No wonder she was so beautiful. She probably had every handmaiden in her castle tending to her every need and the finest of makeup. Even though he had never heard of rainbow hair, he could understand it now. Part of him was tempted to touch it and his hand reached out, pausing before he grabbed a lock.

"Do you mind if I touch? I've never seen such exquisite hair before, even on royalty," he said.

The woman giggled her musical voice again and nodded, looking back at him as his fingers closed around her soft hair. He rubbed it between his digits, seeing if the dye would come off, but to his amazement, his fingers remained dry and colorless. Following the lock up, he saw the color reached all the way to her head without any sign of another hair color.

"Wow," he said, returning his gaze to her.

She blushed slightly as she pushed a few loose strands back, looking down at the sand. "Thanks."

"Where are you a princess of?" Jacques asked, excitement building in his chest. "India, China, Africa?"

A strange look crossed her face as she turned back to him. "No, I am princess of Equestria. Princess Celestia."

"Celestia," he said, the name rolling off his tongue. "What a wonderful name. Where is this 'Equestria'?"

She blushed again as she looked back into his eyes. "It's on the western continent."

"Oh! America?" he replied, a smile splitting his face.

"No," Celestia said, the confusion returning. "Just north of the Gryphon Kingdom."

Jacques blinked, confusion filling his mind. "Gryphon Kingdom? Is that Germany or Austria?"

"What are these places you're naming?" Celestia said, tilting her head. "And you've yet to tell me your name."

Embarrassment burned on his cheeks as he realized he had forgotten the most basic form of etiquette around a woman. Shaking his head, he looked back up and reached out for her hand. She flinched as he touched her, but he brought it up to his mouth and kissed it gingerly.





"Pardon my rudeness," the pony said, kissing her hoof gently. "Your beauty caused me to forget my manners."

Celestia felt her cheeks begin to burn again as he kept eye contact the whole time, acting like this was an everyday thing to do. She found it odd he reached out with his own hoof rather than lifting hers with magic, but his hooves were much softer than they looked. Underneath his unkempt mane of brown curls, his emerald eyes twinkled again.

"I am Jacques Desmarais," he said with an extreme emphasis on his vowels. "I am a citizen of the Republic of France."

Celestia's eyes widened. "Oh! Prance?"

"No, France," Jacques repeated. "France, not Prance."

Celestia tilted her head again, but smiled regardless. Perhaps his strange dialect was just a quirk of the country. "I am very honored to meet you, Jacques. Would you care to join me?"

Jacques' eyes shimmered. "It would be my pleasure."
> Les beaux rêves sont faits de ceux-ci
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The sun was shining unusually bright in the morning as Princess Celestia strode through the hallways with a spring in her step. She smiled widely to every guard and  servant going about their daily duties, greeting them with a cheerful demeanor not seen since Princess Luna had returned. Despite winter arriving, the air outside had warmed significantly, causing the weather team to try and gather some clouds to try and form the scheduled snowstorm in four days. In the Royal Gardens, part of the grounds crew had been recalled to contain an outbreak of Sun Gnats.

"Hello, Grassy Knoll," she said, stopping next to an old gardener spraying smoke into a hedge. "Wonderful day, isn't it?"

Grassy peeked at her through his worn hat and nodded. "Beautiful, your highness," he said in a shaky voice.

"Pesky things, aren't they?" she said, leaning in to look at the hedge closer. "Are there lots of gnats?"

"Yes, ma'am," Grassy replied, spraying another puff into the bush. "They've been trying to make these hedges their new homes for quite a while now."

Princess Celestia stared at the small branches, watching for any sign of movement when she heard the hooffalls of a pony rushing around the garden. Her ears perked up and she lifted her head, glancing around as Grassy Knoll sprayed another puff of smoke. The sounds gradually shifted around and she noticed they were following the lines in the hedges.

"Princess Celestia!" somepony shouted. "Princess, are you in here?"

Turning back to Grassy Knoll, she smiled and bowed her head slightly. "It seems I am needed elsewhere."

"Your highness," he replied, nodding to her.

She turned and trotted around the hedge, leaving Grassy to toil with the Sun Gnats. A smile touched her lips when she passed the statue of the cellist, watching it while she passed by. It was a lovely statue that rarely got any attention back here in the Royal Gardens. Perhaps she could open up the Royal Gardens to visitors again, especially since the changeling threat had finally blown over. The Royal Guard surely wouldn't care much for standing guard among the hedges, making sure nopony wandered off.

Her eyebrows raised as a Royal Guard darted past another statue not too far away. "Princess Celestia!" he shouted, scanning down the pathways before turning and locking eyes with her. "Oh, thank the goddess I found you!"

"What seems to be the trouble, dear guardspony?" she asked with a smile.

He breathed heavily, managed to snap a salute and said, "My Princess, your sister has requested you to meet her in the Observation Tower. I am here to escort you there."

Celestia raised her eyebrows. "Oh? What does she want? I thought she would be asleep by now."

The guard shook his head. "She ordered me to find you as fast as possible."

"Oh dear," she replied, glancing up at the tower in the distance. "I do hope nothing is wrong."

"If you would come with me, your highness," he said, sweeping a hoof towards the castle.

Celestia nodded and trotted along behind the guard, still smiling and greeting all the help they passed as they maneuvered through the corridors. Though it seemed this was a matter of importance, Luna hadn't been specific in why she needed her, meaning this was probably something personal. She had been rather moody and upset since returning to her station, her emotions boiling over on that infamous Nightmare Night episode and the dreadful Tantabus incident. Perhaps there was something she still felt guilty about? Regardless, it failed to dampen Celestia's mood as she eventually arrived at the Observation Tower, smiling to her escort.

The door creaked open and she strode inside, glancing about. She had to repress a chuckle when she noticed the books strewn about the room, the cup of lukewarm coffee sitting atop a stack of parchment and Luna's face buried in a book. Despite having a shorter temper than her older sister, Luna often would become a bookworm if left alone for long enough. Celestia willed the door behind her shut and Luna's ears perked up.

"Sister, we have been expecting thee," she said, snapping the book shut.

"So I've heard," Celestia replied. "Is there something on your mind?"

"Actually, there is. There was a disturbance in the dreamscape last night, a powerful one. We feared it might have been the Tantabus again, but when we investigated, we found your dream was hidden from us," Luna said, trotting over and sipping her coffee. "We are most curious how and why thou would hide thy dreams from us."

Celestia tilted her head and knit her brow. "But I wasn't hiding anything, dear sister."

"What was thou dreaming of, then?" Luna asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Um, let's see. I was on a beach, enjoying the sun when this wonderful stallion stepped on my mane," Celestia said, tapping her hoof on her chin. "We started talking and after that, I don't remember much. I do know he was handsome, had a funny accent and--"

"Are you sure this is what you were dreaming of?" Luna asked as she stepped closer, her horn starting to glow.

"Quite sure."

"Doth thou mind if we take a look at thy memories, then? We are not suspicious, just perturbed by you being cut off from us."

Celestia smiled. "Of course not, dear sister. I have nothing to hide, though I am curious as to why my dreams were closed off from you as well."

Luna stopped walking closer and turned her hear, illuminating a space in the air with her midnight blue magic. A scene much like the starry sky filled the space, each star twinkling and some brighter than others.

"This is a normal night when we traverse the dreamscape," Luna said, waving her hoof at the image. "Nothing out of the ordinary or strange, would thou say?"

"I agree," Celestia said, staring deep into the image.

"Now here is thou," she said, pointing to a particularly bright segment near the center of the map. "Thy dreams are quite strong in the ether, meaning thou is sleeping well."

"I see."

"This was yesternight," Luna said as the image shimmered. It looked very similar to the previous map, but there was a slim beam of light stretching up to the top of the image, past the edge of the map and starting where she had indicated Celestia was.

"Oh dear," Celestia whispered.

"'Tis a phenomena we have yet to encounter before," Luna said, looking at the image as well. "It appeared as if there was something there that ought not have been, stemming from thy mind. Can thou remember anything odd at all from thy slumber?"

Celestia blinked. "No, nothing I..."

Luna raised her eyebrows again as the image faded. "Nothing thou what, sister?"

"I don't know," she replied, shaking her head. "I just remember the stallion having a funny accent and talking about nonsensical lands."

Luna sat on her rump as her horn glowed, eyeing her sister with a curious expression. "May we see for ourselves?"

Celestia nodded as she felt a cool wind wash down the back of her head, following her spine while she watched Luna's eyes glow pure white. A flash later, she found herself reclining on the beach again, sighing as the warm wind blew her mane gently. The perfect day seemed to go on forever until she felt a hoof step on her mane, tugging it as she leaned forward. "Hey! Luna!"





Jacques pressed himself through a small crowd as they shouted in unison, waving their arms in the air and cheering when loaves of bread were thrown into the mass of people. They clamored over each other, ripping apart the loaves and stuffing the chunks into their mouths when Jacques finally shook off the last body pressed against his. Wiping off his overcoat, he straightened his collar and strode off down the avenue, listening to the roar of the mob fade away.

La Cité was a place of heavy turmoil when the Revolution took hold, becoming the stronghold as the army moved to defend the cathedral of Notre Dame. They had barricaded the interior, facing cannons at the entryway and setting up perhaps the largest store of gold and art from the palaces and galleries to, in their words, 'preserve France's treasures'. Despite the largest church in all of France under martial law, though, people still flooded the islands, scrounging for food from the various wagons and boats that passed by. Jacques glanced at the courtyard in front of the cathedral as he walked by, keeping his steps light. A formidable mob had formed in front of the impressive walls, shouting to release the treasures within and to be allowed access to pray.

Cringing, Jacques kept walking with his head down, slipping between the various other citizens parading and reveling like a shadow. As he walked, thoughts swirled about his mind of what happened last night. From a boy, he had been taught God communicated with people through dreams, sometimes directly or with angels. While the woman in his dreams claimed she was not of divine origin, a pit formed in his stomach when he remembered her perfect face and intoxicating eyes. Surely, she was something more than just a simple figment of his mind, whether she told him or not.

He jumped as his shoulder collided with something firm, staggering back when a huge hunk of a man turned to him. He wore an eyepatch and snarled like a rabid dog.

"Pardon," Jacques said, nodding quickly before turning to continue down the street. Unfortunately, his jacket collar tugged sharply and he was thrown back, slipping and falling to the ground when the man stepped up to him.

"What do you think you're doing here?" the man grunted as he slammed the butt of the pole into the mud.

Jacques coughed as he stood, wiping the dirt from himself. "Nothing, citizen. I am just heading to church."

The man laughed, sounding like a cross between a cough and a wheeze. "Fool, the only church to pray at is behind you."

Jacques cringed at the noise, rubbing his ear. "No, my priest is at Saint-Etienne," he said.

He had little time to react as the man spit in his face and grabbed his jacket, lifting him into the air. "Liar! Only nobles go to Saint-Etienne! You're not a noble, are you?"

Jacques gripped the man's arms as he struggled to hold himself up, staring directly into his one eye. The man snarled, revealing a nearly toothless mouth as more men gathered around, repeating his accusation of nobility. Frantically, Jacques pounded on the man's arms before kicking forward, landing a shot to his chest and his grip loosened. Landing on his feet, he looked up to hear the man wheeze and a shout rise from the men.

"Noble!" they screamed, charging at him.

Panic overtook Jacques' mind as he turned and bolted down the road, barely avoiding the other onlookers and citizens as the men gave pursuit. Their shouts rang out along with the sounds of blades, forcing Jacques to run faster before taking a sharp turn and weaving his way into the crowd in front of Notre Dame. His heart pounded in his ears as he gently made his way through the rabble, glancing back to see the men reach the edge of the crowd. A fresh wave of terror washed over him as he pushed through the mob more, listening as a roar of anger arose behind him.

Once he finished weaving past the mob, Jacques took off around the corner and pressed himself behind one of the support pillars along the cathedral. Gasping for air, he risked peeking around the corner and sighed when he saw only a few people give him a funny look. He ran a hand through his hair and leaned on his knees when a hooded man walked past. He wore a simple brown cloak with a rope tied around his waist, the traditional garb of a monk. Pushing himself from the pillar, Jacques walked up behind him and leaned forward.

"Excuse me, friar?" he asked.

The monk turned to him, looking at him with crystal blue eyes. "Yes, my son?"

Jacques breathed a sigh of relief and placed both hands on his shoulders. "Oh, thank God I found you. I... erm, I had a vision last night I need to speak to a man of God about."

The monk frowned. "I am but a mere servant of our Lord. I cannot interpret dreams. Perhaps a priest or bishop, but not a humble monk."

Jacques frowned. "But if you cannot, would God not lead me to you to interpret a vision he showed me?"

The monk was silent for a few seconds before a smile split his face. Reaching up, he pulled his hood back, revealing a head of long silver hair. He stood up taller, matching Jacques' height and reached out a hand. "Well said, my son. Clearly you were brought to me for a reason. My name is Brother Haugen."

Jacques reached out and shook his hand. "Monsieur Jacques Desmarais."

"Good name," Brother Haugen said. "I knew of several Desmarais before the Revolution began. Wonderful people."

Jacques smiled as he walked with Haugen, listening as speaking on several subjects about being a monk and follower of Christianity before the monk stopped and leaned against the stone wall, overlooking the Seine.

"Yes, being a monk is not an easy path, but I don't think I could've done better with my life elsewhere. Enough about me, though, you said you had a vision while you slept?"

"Oui," Jacques said, leaning against the wall as well. "I met someone in a dream last night, a woman."

Brother Haugen's face hardened as he glanced out at the Seine. "A woman?"

"Yes, a wonderful woman who seemed beyond any woman I've ever met. She had long flowing hair of rainbow colors and wore robes of pure white."

Brother Haugen rubbed his chin as he glanced back at Jacques. "Did she give you a name."

Jacques' mouth dried as he looked down, racking his mind for the name the angel used.

"Celestia," he said, looking up at Haugen.





"What a strange dream," Luna said as Celestia blinked.

Celestia sat down herself, feeling her cheeks burn as the image of Jacques stayed in her mind. If it was possible, she had noticed even more about him when she revisited her dream, noting how gentle he was when he spoke and how often she stared into his eyes. Though she had never met an alicorn stallion before, he was exactly how she envisioned them: as tall as she was and had a commanding presence.

"Sister?" Luna said, leaning over to look into Celestia's face.

"I'm sorry! What did you say?" Celestia said, stiffening.

Luna raised an eyebrow at her before standing up and trotting back to her desk, stifling a yawn. "It appears thy dream was just a common envisioning of an ideal mate, a dream most ponies have. We sensed no disturbance upon the ether in thy mind as well, meaning there was no outside interference."

"So, I just had a typical dream and no pony was altering my mind?" Celestia asked.

Luna facehoofed and groaned. "If thou wishes to put it bluntly, then yes."

"But," Celestia replied, thinking about the ether map again. "Then what was within your dreamscape?"

Luna stared down at an ancient book, her tired eyes scanning the weathered words. "We do not know. Perhaps a simple anomaly or some bizarre reaction to a certain stimuli. We cannot be sure, but we shall investigate it later."

Celestia smiled as Luna covered her mouth, yawning fiercely into it. "Of course. Do get some rest, sister."

Luna blinked as she turned, her horn glowing again. "Do inform us if thou has any strange experiences when thou sleeps, sister."

"Will do, Luna," Celestia said, nodding.

A bright flash of magic filled the room, clearing instantly to show an empty chamber. Smiling, Celestia sat there in the silence and thought more about Jacques, wondering how she could've come up with such an odd 'ideal mate' as Luna put it. He certainly was handsome, but the dream felt more vivid than before when she thought about what he said. The place named 'France' rang a bell in her memory, from somewhere very long ago and far away. While the other nonsense like 'Africa', 'China' and 'America' seemed like gibberish, the word 'France' stuck in her mind.

She shrugged, though, and looked out to the sunny day and the green castle grounds. Perhaps she would find out more about it when she slept tonight, and possibly more about Jacques as well. While he was a figment of her imagination, it would be interesting to see what her subconscious 'perfect mate' was like.

Another bright flash of light left the room devoid of anypony, even as a small scrap of parchment drifted to the floor. A light gust of wind from the magic pushed it towards the wall where it slipped between the stone and side of a bookcase. It landed silently, its edges curling around the fancy script reading, 'La France'.





Brother Haugen tapped his fingers on the stone, lost in deep thought as Jacques leaned on the wall, staring into the river. It had been a while since either one had spoken, leaving an uneasy air between them. Jacques had told him everything he remembered about Celestia, from her hair to her being the princess of a far off land. While he couldn't remember the name exactly, he could remember the name didn't make sense.

"And you're sure you had not drank any wine before this dream?" Haugen asked.

Jacques nodded, turning to look at the monk. The sun hung overhead, meaning they had been discussing this matter for over an hour now, when Brother Haugen sighed and turned to Jacques.

"I do not recall any angel by the name of Celestia in our studies, my friend," he said, chuckling. "Perhaps she is one sent specially to you?"

Jacques cringed. "But why? I am nothing special."

"Neither was Peter, John and James when our Lord called them," Haugen said, slapping a hand on Jacques' shoulder. "Perhaps God is sending you a message in response to the Revolution? Who is to say he is not?"

A pit formed in Jacques' stomach as he thought about possibly being a prophet. "He wants me to speak the words of an angel no one has ever heard of?"

Brother Haugen stopped laughing and gripped Jacques' shoulder firmly. "My son, pray about it. I shall do so as well and together, we'll see if God will reveal this mystery to us. The way you describe her is nothing like a demon or succubus, but more like a saint. Her very name also seems to have something to do with heaven."

"Yes, but even though she is beautiful to behold, is it right for me to converse with her?" Jacques asked, turning and looking Brother Haugen in the eyes.

A small smile touched his lips as he pulled his hood up. "If God did not will it, then she wouldn't have spoken to you in the first place. Go in peace and tell me more when she speaks to you again. I stay here in Notre Dame for most of the day."

Jacques swallowed hard, but nodded. "I will, friar."

Brother Haugen nodded and patted Jacques' shoulder before walking off towards the towering building, leaving Jacques to stare at the river all alone. His mind reeled as he thought about Celestia and the possibility of her being an angel. She seemed so pure, just like those angels the Bible described, and spoke of being princess to a kingdom. A smile touched his face as he nodded. Perhaps she was indeed an angel sent to communicate with him.

Perhaps she was God's response to what happened three weeks ago.
> Le Long Du Cauchemard
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Celestia opened her eyes to see herself in a grand castle, covered from floor to ceiling in sparkling marble and gold. Rich red velvet lined the walls, matching the carpets that ran down the glorious staircase in the center of the hall. An entire wall of glass shimmered behind the staircase, showing the twinkling of the stars in the night sky and a crescent moon, shining brightly like the sky was grinning at her. Smiling, she looked around and noticed the guests milling about, each in their absolute best. The stallions wore a variety of monocles and top hats along with bowties and cuffs while the mares were dressed in some of the fanciest gowns she could imagine. Glancing down at herself, Celestia raised an eyebrow when she saw her white coat shining back.

"This won't do at all," she mumbled, closing her eyes.

She smiled again as she thought of her favorite dress, a wonderful golden and purple gown she had worn to many galas when she was about three hundred years younger. It had a wonderfully sharp collar above the flowing fabrics across her back, forming waves similar to the colors in her mane and tail. The matching necklace and tiara held noticeably larger gemstones, along with the slippers to complete the ensemble. Faint voices of long gone friends whispered compliments about it from the far reaches of her memory, warming her cheeks as she opened her eyes to see the wonderful colors again. Looking herself over, her smile widened as the dress covered her, just as perfect as she remembered.

Her eyes twinkled as she glanced around the room again, striding gracefully as she followed the red carpet to the gigantic archway to her left. Once she stepped through the doorway, the scene of a gala in full swing greeted her. Ponies milled about and spoke among themselves, glancing about. Waiters and waitresses combed through the guests with practiced ease, snatching away empty glasses and offering snacks at every precise moment. On either side of the arch, her guards snapped a crisp salute before they pounded the shafts of their spears on the stone floor, silencing the crowd and drawing everypony's attention in moments.

"Her highness, Princess Celestia," the guard said, his voice echoing on the stone walls.

Applause rang out following his statement, causing Celestia to blush a bit before stepping forward and clearing her throat.

"My dearest little ponies, welcome to the four-hundredth and fifty-third Grand Galloping Gala," she said, wondering why she picked that specific number. "I am honored all of you could attend. Tonight, we celebrate the prosperity of Equestria and the glorious future that awaits us. Our treaty with the Griffon Kingdom has been renewed, ties to our sister nation across the sea are stronger than ever, and Equestria has reached its five hundredth year without conflict."

More applause broke out, allowing her to catch her breath. This was all starting to feel very familiar, yet it seemed implausibly alien to her. True, she had constantly renewed the treaty between Equestria and the griffons, so she easily could have forgotten one renewal, but she couldn't recall a sister nation that had close ties to her homeland. Remembering she was most likely dreaming, though, she smiled wider and pressed on, wondering if Luna would show up.

"Thank you, but a Princess is nothing without her wonderful subjects. Without the help of everypony here, we would not be half the nation we are. Enjoy tonight, everyone. You have earned it."

She bowed as everypony applauded again, glancing up and smiling to the guests when one pony caught her eye. He was much taller than the surrounding crowd and wearing a stunning suit of navy blue, accenting the glow of his emerald eyes. Blinking, she smiled wider and walked down the steps, leading to the ballroom floor and saw him shift through the crowd and make his way over to her. Her horn lit and a small light burned on the tip, just bright enough for one of the waiters to hurry over.

"Apologies, my Princess," he said, nodding swiftly. "What can I get for you?"

"It's quite alright," she replied, her smile softening. "A bottle of Chardonneigh and two glasses, please."

"At once," the waiter said before darting off back to the refreshments on the far side of the room.

Celestia breathed deeply as she tried to calm the small butterflies in her tummy when she heard a set of hooves stop short.

"Pardon, but are you perhaps the angel of my dreams?"





Jacques blinked as the sparkling gold of the room hit his eyes, nearly blinding him as he looked around. People of all shapes and sizes stood around, chatting like old friends and filling the room with revelry. The crowd was dressed impeccably. The men all sported tailored suits of interesting colors, some brighter than others, while the women wore dresses of magnificent designs. He darkly suspected they were all Italian or English, but he found himself admiring them all the same.

He spun in place, watching as the garçons offered drinks and hors d'oeuvres to the guests when one approached him. "Wine, sir?"

Jacques looked at the crystal glass and the warm burgundy of the drink within. Part of him tried to reach for it, but he shook his head and stayed his arm. "Non. Not tonight."

"Very well. I will be around should you change your mind," the garçon said, turning on his heels and striding away.

It took a few passes around the room for Jacques to realize he was at a ball of some kind. With the immaculate venue and the attendees, a pit began to form in his stomach, especially when he heard the sounds of spears slamming into the floor. He froze, wishing with all his might this wasn't what he thought it was when a voice pierced the air. "Her majesty, Princess Celestia."

Time seemed to freeze as he spun slowly, following everyone's gaze. An icy needle stabbed his chest as he saw the most magnificently dressed woman of the entire party standing on the balcony, looking at the crowd with a welcoming smile. She was tall, graceful and had the most spectacular rainbow colored hair he had ever seen. Her dress of maroon and gold complimented every curve of her, from her face to her arms.

"Celestia..." he whispered as he took a step forward, only to freeze again once she began speaking. Her speech was short, but he hardly paid any attention to her words. She radiated grace, power and beauty in a way that complimented each aspect without one being dominant while still retaining an almost child-like innocence. Chilling waves swept down his back when the crowd applauded again, reminding him to as well. She continued again briefly before the final cheer rose from the sea around him, giving her the opportunity to look around.

When their eyes locked, Jacques swore he could see excitement in her twinkling magenta eyes.

Feeling unusually brave, he began to sidle his way around the other partygoers as she strode down the steps, knowing he had to speak with her again. There was no denying this wasn't a figment of his imagination any longer. She was real and he had seen enough to know she knew him as well. He said a silent prayer as he weaved around a small group, thanking the Lord for sending her to him and that he did not mess up what he was about to say. As he finally reached the clearing where she stood, however, she was chatting with one of the garçons. Deciding it was a good time to look himself over, he cringed a bit at his dusty overcoat and yellowed cravat, but he was glad his boots were shining and his shirt and pants were clean.

Standing up a little taller, he watched the garçon dart off and strode up behind her with slow steps, pausing a mere arm's length away. Breathing deeply, Jacques took a step to his left and said, "Pardon, but are you perhaps the angel of my dreams?"

She turned slowly, her hair flowing on an invisible wind as she looked into his eyes, smiling that perfect smile again. "Perhaps, perhaps not. Are you the charming gentlecolt I remember from my dreams?"

Jacques faltered at that, his mind grasping wildly for the right words. "Only if it means you are real."

She laughed at that, her voice as melodious as a set of bells. "Then I am indeed the angel you speak of."

A smile unlike any other split Jacques' face as he reached for her hand and kissed it gingerly, glancing back up to her eyes. "If you are her, then I am he."

He released her hand and watched her blush, smiling wider as they turned and walked between the other guests. Whispers flew around them, followed closely by quick glances and raised eyebrows. The crowds parted, bowing and nodding to them when one of the garçons approached with a tray in hand.

"My Princess," he said, bowing slightly as he presented the silver platter.





Celestia nodded back to the waiter and turned to Jacques, watching his eyes shimmer with excitement.

"Oh, after you," he said, waving a hoof.

She giggled, covering her mouth with a hoof. "It's only because I'm royalty, right?"

"Of course not," Jacques said, flipping his mane back. "A lady and princess must always have the first and best of the wine. It is only proper in France."

"And what about you, my honored guest?" she asked, raising an amused eyebrow. "Because in Equestria, a guest is always first to be served."

Jacques opened his mouth for a moment, but closed it as the unmistakable look of surprise crossed his face. He blinked twice before looking over to the waiter, who nodded to him quickly. Glancing back to Celestia, he smiled slowly and reached out a hoof for the glass.

"Wait!" Celestia said, reaching out her own hoof. She pressed it against Jacques' leg and he yanked it back, the glass somehow perfectly held within his curled hoof. Shock melted her concern as Jacques looked between her and the glass.

"Is something the matter?" he asked.

Celestia blinked, staring at his hoof gripping the glass. It was somehow curled around the stem, cupping the bulb without snapping the stem in two. She looked back at his eyes and saw concern as his hoof moved to return it to the tray. "No, no. Go ahead. I thought I... saw something."

Jacques looked back at the wine glass and stared for a few seconds before looking up. "Garçon, what wine is this?"

The waiter looked over to him, an eyebrow raised. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"What wine is this?" Jacques repeated slightly slower than before.

The waiter tilted his head. "Chardonneigh, sir."

Jacques looked back to the glass and raised it up to the ceiling, staring at it intently before swirling it. The golden liquid within spun gracefully as he lowered it to his nose and sniffed the wine. "What year is this vintage?"

"Seventeen fifty-nine," the waiter replied crisply.

Jacques nodded, the twinkle returning to his eyes. Grinning, he pressed the glass to his lips and drank slowly, closing his eyes and removing it after two gulps. "Ah, very good. A fine year, no doubt."

Celestia smiled as she looked to her own glass, lighting her horn when Jacques spun in place, glancing out to the crowd behind. She sipped slowly, savoring the taste before setting the glass down. She glanced over to Jacques, noting the odd expression on his face as he slowly lowered the glass from his snout.





"Is something the matter?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jacques glanced between the glass and Celestia, his own eyebrows knit in confusion. Her arms were perfectly still, yet he was sure he saw the glass move from the waiter's tray. He blinked as he looked back into her eyes and smiled.

"No, nothing," he replied, his tone light. "I just thought that--"

A deafening blast of sound rang out in the ballroom, causing everyone to jump and some to scream. Several glasses broke around the room as shouting followed.

"Are you alright?" Jacques asked, catching Celestia's arm.

"I'm fine," she replied, turning to the staircase. "But what in Equestria was--"

More shouting and the unmistakable sound of swords clashing bit the air, turning it ice cold as Jacques turned to the entryway. Soldiers from around the ballroom were sprinting to it, weapons drawn, as a tidal wave of angry slogans ripped across the room. Terror seized Jacques as he took a step back, his grip tightening on Celestia's arm.

"Jacques!" Celestia shouted before gunfire drowned her words.

"Run!" he roared, tugging her with as he turned.





Celestia nearly toppled over as screaming overtook the room, mixing with the sound of weapons clashing and gunshots. Tearing her gaze away from Jacques, she glanced back at the entryway to see ponies pouring in with swords, spears and knives brandished. They dove at her guard, burying them in a flash of bodies and shining steel. The guards screamed in terror before becoming silent and the pony's weapons were drenched in red.

Chaos erupted around them as Jacques yanked on her leg, breaking her attention from the horrific sight. "We need to leave! Now!" he roared as the guests scattered.

Her legs shook as she turned back to the scene. More of the psychotic murderous ponies poured in, screaming wordlessly as they descended upon her guests and turned their blades upon them. A wave of pressure pressed against her as ponies shoved against her and each other to get away, screaming and crying in fear.

"What--?" Celestia managed to say before a gunshot rang out, followed by something flying through her mane and dangerously close to her neck. She nearly threw herself on the floor and covered her head as she willed a shield into existence. Strangely, she felt no surge of magic as another body threw itself on top of her.

"Come on!" Jacques yelled. "We have to get out of here before--"

His sentence went unfinished as another shout overtook him. Celestia saw a figure fly at him from the corner of her eye, a long carving knife in its hoof.

"Noooo!" she shouted as the knife plunged into Jacques' chest.





Jacques woke, violently kicking the sheets from his body as he screamed, frantically grabbing at his chest. A sharp pain clawed at his chest and his heart throbbed, feeling like it had stopped completely. He scrambled from his bed, grabbing a dagger from the nightstand and waving it around wildly. He rose to his feet and panted as he spun around, searching the room for anyone else. After three full revolutions, he finally caught his chest and sank to the floor, shuddering uncontrollably.

He ran his shaking hands through his drenched hair, grinding his teeth before tugging at his locks and pounding his wrists into his forehead. The dream had been terrifyingly vivid. His chest still burned where the assailant's knife had stabbed him in the dream and Celestia's scream still rang in his ears. He glanced at the window behind him, noting the half moon still shining in the sky and closed his eyes as he leaned back against the bed.

"Merde," he muttered. "Why?"

Horrible memories erupted like a fountain in his mind. Pictures of blood and blades, followed by the shouts of revolutionaries made him clench his hair tighter. Despite his best efforts, the memories of that night had infected his dreams and the beautiful angel Celestia had seen them.

He had to find her. The sooner he found her, the sooner he could leave Paris and the Revolution behind.





Celestia leaped from her bed, landing flat on her chin as she kicked violently. Her silken sheets gave a loud tearing sound as she flailed, her magic grabbing anything around her and flinging them to the opposite side of the room. She shouted as she whipped her head back and forth, searching for Jacques when a loud bang drew her attention. Light poured in as several shadowy figures raced in, spears drawn and Celestia screamed again, throwing up a shield around herself.

"Princess!" her guard called, fanning out in the room and pointing their spears at every shadow. "Princess, it's us!"

"Get them!" Celestia shrieked, her pupils tiny. "Get them!"

"Who, Princess?" the head guard shouted as the others dove into the shadows, stabbing violently at the dark corners of the room.

"The attackers!"

"FIND THEM AND LOCK EVERYTHING DOWN!" the lead guard roared. "THERE ARE ASSASSINS IN THE CASTLE!"

His horn lit as the sound of a horn filled the air, followed by the various shouts of the Royal Guard from around the grounds. The commander ran towards her as the rest of the guards bolted from the room and his horn flashed, followed by an orb of translucent green surrounding them. Celestia caught her breath as she pulled herself from the ground, heaving as she let go of her own shield. She had barely taken two breaths when a flash of midnight blue filled the room, followed by a snarl from the guardspony.

"Sister!" Luna shouted.

"Prove you are Princess Luna at once!" the commander ordered.

Luna narrowed her eyes as she took a step forward. "My sister prefers lemon cake with vanilla frosting, her favorite story is The Little Matchstick Filly and two years ago, she went on her first date in five centuries with the prince of Saddle Arabia."

The guard turned to Celestia and nodded as he let his shield down, allowing Luna to trot up to them. Concern replaced the hard look in her eyes as she hugged Celestia, who meekly hugged back. Celestia shook slightly as the images of the attack flooded back into her mind. She squeezed Luna tighter when a sharp pain shot through her hind leg.

"Ow," she winced, pulling herself from Luna's hug and grabbing the ruined sheet. She tugged her leg once and the sheet ripped again, freeing her hoof. The guard immediately rushed over and gingerly touched her hoof, ensuring it wasn't broken.

"What happened? Who were the assailants?" Luna asked.

"I... I don't..." Celestia said, shaking her head.

Luna stared at her and her horn lit. "Were you asleep?"

Celestia shuddered before looking back at Luna, tearing up. "I... I think so..."

Luna's eyes turned pure white as she sat down. "Do you mind if we see what happened?"

Celestia gulped, but nodded. An instant later, she was standing in the hallway of her castle, smiling to herself. 
> Ne m'oublie pas
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Brother Haugen gently drummed his fingers on the goblet before him, silent as a concerned look overtook his face. He bit his lip and glanced up to Jacques, who sat across the table with his hands cupping a similar goblet. Neither one spoke as they sipped on the wine within the goblets, waiting for the other to speak. Around them, a procession of people waving the new flag of France paraded by, shouting slogans and passing out pins. One woman threw two of them onto the table they sat at, walking off before she could see them roll off the other edge of the table.

As the silence between them carried on, Jacques eventually reached into his overcoat and pulled out his small notebook, flipping it open to the last page with his scrawl. Mere moments after the disturbing dream last night, he had hastily written down everything he could remember about it. He cringed at the sloppy handwriting, thinking his tutors would've given him ten lashes across his knuckles for his poor penmanship, but a cold shiver ran up his spine as he glanced over the words again. Part of him wanted to burn the book for the scene he had written about the attack on the gala. A small twinge of pain stung his left shoulder, right where he had been stabbed in the dream protecting Celestia.

"My son, what you tell me is most troubling," Brother Haugen finally said, laying his hands flat on the table. "To be assaulted in your dreams while in the presence of divinity does not bode well."

Jacques grimaced as he reached for his cup. "I sensed that too, Brother."

"From what you have told me, it would seem this 'Celestia' is not quite the angel we assumed she was," Haugen continued. "You said she acted as if she had no prior knowledge to the attack on you and her?"

"I remember her screaming when I woke from the dream," Jacques replied, wiping the remaining wine from his mouth.

Brother Haugen folded his hands in front of his mouth, pointing both index fingers at the tip of his nose as he thought about what the meaning of this event could be again. He had prayed about this matter several times since he last saw Jacques earlier this week, but he hadn't yet received a sign that could interpret what could be happening with him. His studies now somehow seemed very far away and cloudy, as if something was preventing him from remembering exactly what he was missing.

"Brother," Jacques said, leaning in and breaking his train of thought. "Can you please tell me about this dream? Anything will do. I haven't slept peacefully in two days."

Brother Haugen sighed. "I presumed this 'Celestia' was an angel, but now I fear she may be something more sinister. Have you heard the legend of the succubus, my son?"

The color drained from Jacques' face as he nodded slowly. "Demons who lure men away from God by enticing them with beauty and sexual advances. You don't think...?"

Haugen placed a hand on his chin. "I cannot say for sure unless God answers our prayers, but this situation may be far dire than I had pictured. Has anything else happened to you? Do you feel your strength is leaving you?"

Jacques shook his head. "No, but not sleeping has made me lightheaded."

Haugen nodded. "Do you think about her often?"

Jacques curled his hand into a fist. "Yes."

"How often?"

Jacques glanced away from Haugen, staring at the orange sky. The wispy clouds hung over the magnificent blue roofs of the chateaus around them. Small shades of pink and blue were forming at the edge of the orange sky, the exact same colors of her magnificent hair. In the clouds, he could see her perfect smile and wonderful eyes. "I look around me and I see her. In the sky, among the people, everywhere."

Brother Haugen took a sip of his wine, his gaze pensive. "Do you feel an unnatural attraction to her?"

Jacques looked back to him and then glanced down at the table, pondering the question. Nothing about this felt unnatural. She was a ravishing woman, a beacon of beauty and wisdom, much like other women he had felt this pull towards. However, he had barely any idea who she really was and, if she was an angel or succubus, it would be disastrous for him to attempt to meet or court her. He knew all too well the stories of the Nephilem from the Bible.

"I don't think it's unnatural, but am I sinning against God by feeling this way to a divine being?" he asked.

"If you are sinning, only you and God can know that," Haugen said, pointing at Jacques. "We are all too familiar of those who preach on the outside, yet blaspheme on the inside. I can say that God is generous to those who follow his ways, but to those that defile themselves... well, death is not a pleasant event for them."

He nodded grimly as Jacques looked down at himself, staring at his hands. Perhaps he was courting a succubus, but why was she so beautiful? Why was her smile so warm if she was wanting to condemn him? How could someone like her be evil enough to tempt him with everlasting fire, yet not show a single flaw on her face or eyes? And if she was indeed an angel, why allow him to get so close? If she had a message from God, what could it possibly be?

Questions whirled around his mind as his hands shook. He slammed them onto the table, causing his goblet to jump and he breathed quickly, feeling his chest tighten. A hand closed around his fist, though, and he looked up to see Brother Haugen smiling. "Forgive me, my son. It was not my place to imply what you are doing is profane, nor do I believe God is going to punish you. If this 'Celestia' were something darker, like a succubus, things would be much different than they are now. While I am still baffled by this, I do believe God has sent her to you for a reason. His purposes are grand and unknowable, so it may be a while before you understand why she was brought to you, but once you do, God will bless you as he blessed those in the past."

A small smile grew on Jacques' face as the questions died down, placing his other hand atop of Haugen's. "Thank you, dear Brother."

Haugen nodded, releasing his hand and lifting his goblet. "The Lord may be a keeper of secrets, but he is also a revealer of them. I will keep praying about this matter, but do not hesitate to come to me with anything new about her. Who knows? Maybe when you return, God will show me the meaning of your dreams as he did for Daniel."

Jacques clinked his goblet against Haugen's. "And with any luck, he may help me in my search."

"Ah, yes. I've been meaning to ask you about that," Haugen replied, scooting his chair closer to the table. "Perhaps I can be of some help with this search. What are you looking for?"

Ice pierced Jacques' heart as he thought about his goal. He leaned forward and said in a low voice, "I am looking for my young cousin, Beatrix. She disappeared when her parents were killed."

"Oh dear, I shall pray for her to comforted as well. If I may ask, why were her parents murdered?"

Jacques gulped and looked back down at the table. "Because they were nobles."





The guards outside of Princess Celestia's chambers stiffened as they heard the shuffle of hoofsteps. They immediately lowered their spears, snarling as three servants froze in their tracks, each carrying a small plate of food.

"Names," one guard barked while three others descended upon them.

"I'm Floral, that's Shocktop and she's Sunny Day," the lead servant replied as the guards glared at the food.

"Where are your orders from?" the guard asked, his tone harsh.

"P-Princess Celestia asked for us to b-bring her some nourishment," Sunny squeaked, shying away from the guard towering over her.

"What is the airspeed velocity of an unlaiden swallow?" the lead guard asked.

The door to the chamber flew open, causing everypony to jump as Princess Celestia glared at her guards. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, Sergeant Spark, but I did indeed call them to me. Now please stop asking them nonsensical questions."

Sergeant Spark, along with his group, snapped off crisp salutes. "I'm terribly sorry, my liege, but since you reported intruders in the castle, we have to be especially careful who approaches you."

Celestia forced back a cutting remark and shook her head. Ever since her nightmare, she had gotten little sleep due to the tension in the castle. Guards rotated even more often than before and had become increasingly harsher to the staff, sometimes forcing the poor ponies into prison before she came and released them. Without realizing it, writing pardons had become a part of her daily routine.

The worst by far, though, was the new sleep regimen Luna had forced her into. Her hysteria after seeing the nightmare had nearly delayed the raising of the sun, followed by strict supervision of any dreams Celestia had. Luna's interference made sure Celestia woke at least four times a night.

Shaking her head, Celestia forced a smile to her guards and nodded. "Thank you, brave guards. I let my emotions get the better of me. Please come in, Floral Tail, Shocktop and Sunny Day."

The trio of servants skittered past the guards and into Celestia's chambers. Without a word, they dropped the plates onto her dresser, bowed quickly and bolted from the room and back down the hallway. Celestia rolled her eyes and willed her door shut, trying to tune out the now irritating rubbing of the guards armor plates. She absentmindedly lifted a plate and trudged over to her bed, laying on the rumpled sheets before munching on a carrot. She stared at the ceiling of her room, her mind foggy. This would eventually blow over and she would get a proper night of sleep again, but Luna had pointed out something in her hysteria that stuck with her. 

Something was amiss about this Jacques she met in her dreams. He certainly was no ordinary figment of her imagination, especially with his ability to hold that wineglass. Luna had pointed out that the space around him in her dreams was warped, as if he might even be forcing his way in. While occlumency was a somewhat lost art in Equestria, Luna's return had reopened the pathways between dreams. It certainly was possible to enter the dreams of others while guided by a master of occlumency, such as Luna, but for somepony to force their way in was indeed a worrying measure.

Celestia rolled onto her side and stared out the window at the gray clouds of winter. The snow was set to fall any day now, but her thoughts turned back to Jacques. Despite his quirkiness, she rather enjoyed his company in her dreams. Their first encounter had been little more than a friendly chat and the second meeting seemed to be going just fine until the nightmare took over. He certainly was kind as he was handsome, which brought a small blush to her cheeks.

His reaction to the nightmare seemed true enough, as if he didn't expect it. His actions to warn her of the impending attack and subsequent leaping in front of her to protect her made little sense if he meant to bring her harm. Foes like Tirek or King Sombra surely wouldn't have hesitated to drive a blade into her themselves, much less let a dream being kill her, but Jacques was different than their ruthlessness. He was charming, sincere and treated her like he truly believed she was an angel.

Celestia grabbed a pillow and pushed it into her face, trying to stave off her thoughts of him. Luna had claimed thinking about him allowed easier access to her mind should he be using occlumency, which in turn made her more susceptible to any attempt at mind control. She had made it a point to remind her that the nightmare had infected her thoughts through those means.

"Sister," came Luna's voice.

Celestia pulled the pillow off her face and turned to see Luna standing in her room, a small frown on her face.

"Are you thinking about him again?"

Celestia groaned and rolled over, hugging her pillow close.

"I see," Luna said, looking down at her hooves and kicking the carpet. "I've already told you how dangerous that is."

"Yes, Luna. I am well aware how dangerous his attempts on my mind are," Celestia said, her temper fraying.

"I'm reminding you of this for your own safety, sister," Luna said, looking back up. "If somepony is attacking your mind through dreams, we need to find him and seal off his entry into your thoughts."

"You say that like he's intentionally trying to hurt me," Celestia replied.

"Are you sure he's not?"

"Does taking a knife to the chest not say that?"

Luna pressed a hoof to her forehead. "Sister, we've been over this. Dreams are malleable. He could've taken the knife to earn your trust without any damage to himself."

Celestia pressed both hooves to her face and rubbed her eyes. "You also said if that blade would've stabbed me, I could have been seriously hurt! Which is it, Luna?"

"It is both, dear sister!" Luna shouted. "That is why occlumency is so dangerous! It can both happen and not happen simultaneously!"

A tense silence filled the room as each sister sulked, stewing over the words hanging in the air. Inside, Celestia knew Luna was right about this. She had always had a gift with dreams of others and occlumency, mastering the craft while she still struggled to restrain herself within her own dreams. Eventually, Celestia heard Luna's hoof drop and a sigh escape her.

"Sister, to find out more about this being, I must be there when he is present. That's why I'm going to be observing you as you sleep tonight from the far background," she said.

Celestia rolled over slightly and raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"

"You're going to be free to dream as you wish, sister," Luna said, taking a step forward. "Since he has not infiltrated your dreams since the nightmare, he may be able to sense my presence in the ether. I am going to let you dream freely in the hopes he will appear and, should he show himself, I will capture him and find out where he is from."

Celestia frowned. "You're using me as bait?"

"If you wish to put it bluntly, yes, you're bait to trap him in a dreamscape. I do implore you to not wake once he's captured, though. Since he is invading your dreams, he will demand for you to wake up once he's caught. If you do, he'll escape my grasp and probably find a way around my occlumency next time."

Celestia looked at the floor and nodded meekly. Luna was still under the impression he wanted to harm her, but she couldn't convince herself Jacques wasn't anything to be worried about. His presence in her dreams, while soothing, had given her perhaps the most vivid picture of a murder that anypony had seen in recent memory. Besides, she had her own questions for him as well, like how he gripped that wineglass and, should he prove to not be a threat, if he was single.

"Okay, Luna. Sundown is in about three hours," Celestia said, looking up. "Have you ever done this before?"

Luna smiled. "It sounds harder than it is."

Celestia shivered. "I don't like the idea of my mind being used to entrap a pony."

Luna's smile faded as she took another step. "I won't say it will be easy, Celestia. If he is as powerful as I am, he may try to hurt you in order to force you to wake. I will do everything in my power to stop any harm from coming to you, but I cannot guarantee anything."

Celestia frowned again as she bit her carrot, giving Luna a sideways look. For as long as she had known Luna, she was the confident one in her abilities. From flying to magic, she had never doubted her skills, even when she had gotten a nosebleed from moving the moon for the first time. Hearing the unease in her voice was almost alien, as if there was more she wasn't telling her.

"Luna, what can happen if he does attack me?" she asked.

Luna looked away from Celestia, rubbing her foreleg. "Well, um, I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. I've seen ponies react to dream induced pain as if it had happened to them in the material realm, but a direct attack on another's mind is something I have not been privy to."

"Can you guess?"

Luna sighed. "At worst, it could potentially cause death."

Celestia's eyes widened when Luna realized the folly of her words.

"No! No! I will do everything in my power to prevent that! What I mean to imply is that this could be extremely dangerous if he does attack you. Some records speak of memory loss, possession and sometimes ruptures of the brain, but those are under extreme circumstances!"

"And just how far is it considered extreme?" Celestia shouted, the panic rising in her voice.

"Like, direct mental attacks! Destroying the dreamscape, taking control of the dream, things that I will ensure do not happen!"

"Have you done this at all, Luna?" Celestia demanded.

Luna gave an awkward smile. "Yes, over a thousand years ago."

Celestia's mouth hung open, her words completely lost. She was bait for a possible occlumency master and could be crippled or even killed should he attack or forcibly take control of her dream while her sister planned to trap him with some trick she hadn't done in over a thousand years. Doubts about this idea began to overwhelm her senses when Luna's smile smoothed out.

"Sister, you trust me, correct?" she asked.

"Well, yes, normally when my life isn't on the line," Celestia replied.

"Then trust me once again. Whoever this is, he is no master of occlumency the way I am, or else he would've done much worse to you than a startling nightmare. Trust me to protect you the way I trust you to protect me. The dreamscape is, after all, my realm."

Celestia gulped. This would either go very well or end very badly, but Luna's confident smile somehow reassured her that she was in the care of the most capable hooves in Equestria when it came to dreams.

"Okay, sister... I trust you."
> Seulement dans les rêves
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Celestia shifted in her bed, rustling the sheets as she tried to find a comfortable position to sleep. She was careful not to lay on her wing, nor run the risk of hurting her still aching hoof from the nightmare. Everything felt off about her bed; the pillows were making her neck stretch the wrong way, the sheets felt too warm and itchy and she hadn't eaten anything all day. Groaning, she wiggled her body around to lay on her back and blew a strand of her mane from her face. At the edge of her vision, she could see somepony moving and glanced over. A snort came loose as she watched Luna sitting on a pillow, reading a book with a cup of steaming tea floating next to her.

"Tired yet, sister?" Luna asked as she turned a page.

Celestia looked up at the tester hanging above her bed and grumbled. "It's much easier to sleep knowing I won't be followed while I'm dreaming."

"You've never noticed it before," Luna mumbled as she kept reading.

"Noticed what, sister?" Celestia said, turning back to Luna and raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing!" Luna said with a cheerful smile. She slammed her book shut and set down her teacup before standing. "Just need you to fall asleep."

Celestia grimaced. "You promise you won't hurt him, right?"

Luna rolled her eyes and sighed, "Yes, sister. I will not harm him unless he poses a threat."

An uncomfortable silence filled the space between them as Celestia curled her forehooves and pulled her blanket closer. Luna sat still, but tilted her head at her sister's body language. Eventually, Celestia rolled onto her side, placing her back to Luna and rubbed her face into the silky pillow. A creeping dread was lingering in her mind, making the idea of falling asleep almost terrifying. That pony she dreamed of, Jacques, didn't come across as the kind that would hurt her, despite what her sister had said about dreamscape invaders. Still, if she could be charmed by such a dangerous kind of pony, perhaps she wasn't as sure of herself as she should be.

"Relax," Luna cooed from behind. "Just concentrate on the sound of my voice. You are safe with me. I will protect you, just like you protected me. Trust me."

Celestia's eyes suddenly felt unusually heavy. Within a matter of seconds, a small snore escaped her as Luna's horn faded. She looked over to her teacup and took a sip before she closed her eyes. She mumbled something softly and opened her eyes, her blue irises were replaced by a shining white light.





Jacques sat at the edge of his bed in the dim firelight, gently caressing a golden cross in his fingers. He stared at it with bloodshot eyes, glancing up only to see the fire had nearly extinguished itself. A half eaten chunk of bread sat on a tin plate on his pillow, along with a small glass goblet on his nightstand, nearly empty of red wine. He sighed as his fist closed around the cross, lifting it to his mouth where he muttered under his breath and hung his head.

"Pater noster in caelis, amen," he said, uncurling his fist and kissing the cross. He gently placed it on the nightstand before picking up the plate and setting it next to the goblet. Stretching his arms above his head, Jacques lay back on the bed and looked out over the city. Things in Paris had started deteriorating once it was announced the former king was to be put to death, especially with the renewed hunts for the former nobility still within her walls. 

A pained groaned escaped him as he thought of her, wandering alone among the masses of delirious zealots. She had to be scared, hungry and alone, assuming she was still alive. The leads he had received today were proven promising, as a few of the innkeepers and restauranteurs had confirmed seeing her not even a few days ago, making his heart feel a little more at ease. If all went well, he would find her, fulfill his promise to his family and be rid of this country going mad with blood.

With sleep clawing at his eyes, Jacques allowed them to close and forced himself to breathe steadily. After the terrifying nightmare with the angel Celestia and the chat he had with Brother Haugen, paranoia had almost set in about seeing her again. Still, though, sleep was sleep and if the Lord willed it, he would meet her again. Her beautiful smile washed over his thoughts and angelic voice rang in his ears as a snore left his lips, drowning out the cares of the outside world.

When his eyes reopened, Jacques found himself standing along the ramparts of a glorious castle overlooking a town of pristine white walls and cobblestone streets built into the side of a mountain. Around him, wispy clouds rolled by as a steady breeze blew, carrying the scent of fresh apples, oranges and other fruits. Looking down at himself, he blinked as he looked over his former academy coat and military uniform. He hadn't worn these clothes since he graduated from the military academy in Marseilles over ten years ago. Reaching up, he felt the tip of his tricorne and looked around, his mind racing. He had never been stationed at a castle the entire time he was in military school.

Behind him, the clack of shoes caused Jacques to stiffen his posture, exactly the way he was taught to by his overbearing instructors. Chest out, shoulders square and feet at a perfect right angle. He snapped a salute and spun on his heels. "Reporting for duty, sir!"

A giggle came from the woman he found himself saluting, causing him to blink as she brushed a strand of rainbow colored hair from her perfectly formed face. "Wonderful to see you again, Jacques," she said in the unmistakable voice of Celestia.





Celestia stood at the balcony of her castle, her cheeks turning rosy as the handsome guard lowered his hoof. His eyes were wide with shock as his mouth opened and closed several times. "C-Celestia? Is that you?" he stammered.

She raised a hoof and covered her mouth as she giggled again, knowing she was on the verge of blushing. "Yes, Jacques. It is me."

"B-But, that night. That party! Were you--?" he said taking a step forward and reaching his own hoof out to take hers.

"I was quite alright. I was more worried about you," she said, placing her hoof on his. Despite the golden slippers he wore, his hoof was still comfortably warm to touch.

Relief spread across his face and he grinned before looking down. "I am quite alright. Though I must say, seeing you again has calmed my heart beyond mere words."

Celestia blinked as she turned away, suppressing a giddy squeal as much as she could. This had to be a dream for him to be this charming. "You flatter me," she replied.

"No, I merely speak the truth," Jacques said, lifting his head back up and standing up taller. "Your presence is extremely calming in these troubled times."

High above them, Luna stared down from the upper balcony, her brow furrowed in concentration. The intruder had hardly been subtle about his invasion of her sister's dream. She had felt his entry like a massive pulse across the dreamscape, so he obviously was not the expert she had thought him to be. His taking the image of a guard had only made her more suspicious as well, especially since it wasn't common knowledge her sister had a slight thing for warriors in armor. Whoever this was, he knew her sister almost too well.

Her wings remained open as she watched them talk, careful to watch for any sudden shift in his stance or demeanor while she reached out with her magic to open the veil of the dreamscape. Behind the familiar skyline of Canterlot, Luna saw the bright orbs of thoughts against the dark as her sister's mind touched this intruders. An unbroken beam of light seemed to come from the darkness of the ether itself and stop right where he was, something that baffled her. Any forced entry into another's mind was an excruciatingly painful experience for both sides, but neither seemed to be in any agony or even acknowledging they were sharing thoughts freely.

Luna scrunched up her nose and her glare grew harder at the intruder, lowering herself like a cat ready to pounce. Even though his entry into Celestia's dream was sloppy, his finesse at sharing thoughts was beyond even what she knew. Perhaps once she got access to his mind, she could find out where he learned this trick and put it to use herself.

Below, Celestia chuckled as she and Jacques began to walk along the rampart. "Oh, it's always like this here."

"Really?" Jacques said, glancing around at the city. "Your kingdom is so... well, clean! It's like a polished pearl."

"I thank you for your compliment. My subjects take pride in how the city looks, almost as much as they do about the country," Celestia said, stiffening her back a little.

"What a beautiful place," Jacques said, turning back to her. "I should've guessed such a wonderful king and queen could rule over such a land."

"Princesses, not king or queen," Celestia said, turning a playful eye to him.

"There is no king or queen?" he asked.

"No, just me, my sister, my niece and my prized student," she said with a bit of pride.

Jacques stopped walking, leaving Celestia to take a couple more steps before turning to him. His wings were spread, but his nose was cutely scrunched up. "Just you and your family rule this entire land? Then who is the heir to the throne?"

Celestia batted an eye at him when she turned away. "That would be the eldest of my kin. Namely, me." She glanced back again to see his mouth hanging open before he dropped to his knees.

"My lady, forgive me. I did not know!" he said, his voice edging towards a Prench accent again.

Celestia let out a small laugh at that, turning to him. "You do not need forgiveness if you've done nothing wrong, but yes, you are forgiven."

Jacques looked back up at her, his eyes sparkling in the sunlight. "Thank you, my angel," he whispered.





Celestia reached out a hand to him and Jacques took it, rising to his feet as the stone crunched under his boots. Keeping ahold of her hand, he smile to her and offered his arm. "May I escort you?"

Her grin was captivating as she wrapped her arm around his. "I would like that," she said.

Elation filled Jacques' chest as he took a step, but a shadow passed overhead, causing both of them to look up. His joy was immediately wiped as the figure of a woman descended from the sky, flying down on gigantic raven wings. Immediately, his soldier instincts took over and he moved to shield Celestia as the figure neared, reaching uselessly at his side for a sword.

"Sister!" a thunderous voice shouted as the woman landed behind them. She was clad in a dress of midnight blue that wrapped her body like a sheath, along with long blue gloves. Her hair swayed gently like Celestia's, but it was almost translucent and filled with sparkles. The scowl she wore, however, chilled him to his core. "Get away from him. Now!"

"Begone, demon!" Jacques shouted back, placing himself between the witch and the princess. "In the name of the Lord, I command you to leave this instant!"

"Don't you dare presume to tell me what to do!" she roared back, causing his ears to ring. "You will release my sister from your grasp this moment or else I will force you to."

"Sister, wait!" Celestia shouted from behind him. "Don't--!"

Without a word, an aura of the same blue covered his hands as he was pulled away from her violently and dragged onto the ground. Jacques hit the stone and winced at the sharp pain running up his elbows, but the aura disappeared and he stood back up as fast as he could, facing the witch and edging back towards his angel. His hand still grappled around his waist for the sword he was supposed to carry, but all he found was empty air.

"Stay where you are, intruder!" the witch yelled.

"God will punish you for your witchcraft!" Jacques replied, taking another slow step.

"Is this 'God' your master?" she asked, her eyes glowing like a dark fire. "Did he teach you this forbidden art?"

"Sister!" Celestia yelled, running past Jacques to the witch. "Please, calm down!"

"Celestia, back away from him!" the witch shouted. "He is poisoning your mind!"

"Liar!" Jacques shouted. "You are the foul demon here, witch! I have done nothing to her!"

"You dare call me a liar?" the witch screamed as the wind around them blew harder.

"Luna!" Celestia tried to yell over the wind.

"Be still, sister! I will show this whelp the power of the princess of the night!" the witch said as she rose into the air on her raven wings.

"No!" Celestia shouted, turning and running back to Jacques. Immediately, she threw her arms around him and the world went stark white for a second before another breeze blew across his face. Blinking, he glanced around and saw the ocean stretched out before him and a few palm trees casting shade on them. Stunned, he glanced over to Celestia who slowly let go of him and stared back into his eyes.

"My angel, are you alright?" he asked, placing his hand atop hers.

"Yes, I'm fine, but I cannot stay here much longer. My sister will be quite angry with me," she said with a frown.

"Your sister? You mean that witch that attacked you?" Jacques said, taking a step back.

A pained smile crossed Celestia's face. "Yes, my younger sister. Luna."

As if on cue, a thunderous shout rang out across the beach. "Sister!"

"Farewell for now, my dear Jacques," Celestia said, running her fingertips down his hand as the world around them faded to white.

"Wait!" Jacques said before his vision went black.





"Have you gone completely mad?" Luna shouted as Celestia's eyes snapped open. She was back in her bed, staring up at the tester on her bed before turning to look at Luna. Her cheeks were puffed up with anger, which was never good. "He tried to seduce you and you protect him? What in the name of our mother are you doing?"

Celestia blinked before snorting. "Luna, he wasn't trying to hurt me."

"And how can you tell that?" Luna demanded. "After that disturbing dream where you nearly got stabbed, he just appears as a guard and you let yours down immediately?"

Celestia's cheeks reddened. "It's not like that," she mumbled.

Luna let out a cry of disgust. "Then what is it? Are you so smitten with his dream self that you can't see past the bridge of your own nose when he's around? Must I remind you that he is invading your mind?"

"Sister, please calm down," Celestia said, leaning forward.

"I will not calm down when you just sabotaged my chance to capture him and find out who he is!" Luna roared in her Royal Canterlot Voice. A tense silence followed her statement as she huffed several breaths while Celestia stared down at her bedsheets, lost in thought. Eventually, Luna took a step forward and said, "Well?"

"Well, what?" Celestia replied, turning to her.

"Explain yourself!" Luna shouted.

"Explain what?" Celestia shouted back.

"Why in all of Equestria would you stop me from capturing him?"

"I don't know!" Celestia roared, her own voice reaching the Royal Canterlot Voice tone. "I don't know why I did that! He was trying to protect me, you were shouting and... augh!" She buried her eyes in her hooves, feeling abnormally torn inside. She knew her sister and that she wouldn't hurt anypony without just cause, but part of her in that instant screamed to protect Jacques from her, as if she knew he was in danger.

"I will not be made a fool of in my realm!" Luna shouted, her horn glowing. "Stay here, and don't you dare try to fall asleep until I return!" 

A 'pop' filled the air as Luna vanished, leaving Celestia to struggle with herself alone. A wash of emotions assaulted her, from giddiness of Jacques' compliments to wanting to cry because she didn't trust her own sister enough to allow her to help. Everything felt like it was in shambles now, since Jacques would view Luna as a threat and a 'witch' while Luna would probably never agree to help her again. There was no explaining what had happened, but in that moment, she could recall a sensation of fear that took hold of her, as if she somehow knew Luna was going to hurt him by trying to entrap him in her mind.

Lifting her eyes from her hooves, Celestia gave a small sniffle as a tea kettle popped into the air next to her, along with a teacup. Rubbing her eyes, she watched as the fresh tea was poured perfectly into the cup and then the kettle popped out of existence the next second. She had barely taken a sip when Luna came back into the room, her cheeks still puffy.

"You could have been seriously hurt. You know that, right?" she asked, her tone terse.

Celestia merely nodded as she took another sip of tea.

"And you do realize your actions this evening will make getting him out of your mind almost infinitely more difficult?"

Celestia nodded again.

"So tell me why you intervened when you did," Luna said, crossing her forelegs.

"I... I don't know, Luna," Celestia said, looking over to her. "I just knew he would get hurt."

Luna narrowed her eyes. "And how would you know that?"

Celestia sighed and looked back into her teacup. "I can't... I felt that he was about to be hurt."

"And did you feel this when he got stabbed last time?" Luna asked, raising a derisive eyebrow.

Celestia shook her head softly and took another sip of tea. "No, but this time, I just... knew."

Luna sighed, tossing her head back. "You can't just know. In order to do that, you would have to be sharing memories with..." Celestia looked up as her sister trailed off, staring into her frozen face. Instantly, she began to jab her forehead with a hoof and stood up, stomping around the room. "Stupid, stupid, stupid! How could I have missed that?" she hissed.

Dread filled Celestia's chest. "Missed what?"

"Memory sharing! What my teacher called the Bleeding Effect!" Luna yelled, rounding back to her. "He is corrupting your mind with his own memories!"

Celestia felt a sudden cold wash over her as she pulled her sheets up a little closer. "W-What?"

"This is way worse that I originally feared. When you're dreaming, your memories are wide open to anypony looking in! He is manipulating you by inserting his own memories into your mind!"

"But.." Celestia said, her mind racing. "But I don't feel any different!"

Luna smacked a hoof over her eyes, unable to comprehend how her sister could not see the magnitude of the situation. "It's not an instant effect! It takes repeated memories to be replaced before you would notice!"

Celestia opened her mouth to say something, but stopped and looked at her hooves. Of all the things that happened tonight, she found it hard to believe Jacques was some mastermind trying to subvert her memories to his. If he truly wanted to hurt her or do something sinister, wouldn't he have done it already? She could still feel the tender touch of his hooves on hers, furthering her suspicion that Luna was blowing this out of proportion.

"Thank you, Luna," she said. "I know you are helping, but I need to sleep."

"Not with that monster lurking around in your mind, you won't," Luna said, planting her rump back onto the pillow. "Not without me there to ensure he stays out."

A smile crossed Celestia's face as she turned back to her sister. "Thank you. We can talk more about this tomorrow morning, okay?"

Luna's cheeks had finally lost their puffiness, but she still scowled back. "I'm sure we will."
> Rêve un peu de moi
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Mort au Roi! Vive la République! Mort au Roi! Vive la République! Mort au Roi!"

Jacques ran his thumb on a small stack of francs as a crowd marched by, staring at the empty space on the table. It was still early in the morning, just a little after sunrise when they had started chanting and parading along the avenue. The news that the former king was to be executed in three days had invigorated the masses and made it difficult to go anywhere without needing to be careful. He glanced up and saw several members of the crowd throwing their pins and waving the revolutionary flag and raised his glass to them, murmuring inaudibly as he took a sip.

His contact was late, at least later than she promised. With the city going crazy, he wasn't surprised that she wasn't here yet and he doubted that she would show at all. Nobody felt safe here, not even those with nothing to hide, but for people like himself, it was nearly suicide to be out in public like this. The witch hunts were growing worse as the month went on and more people were disappearing, lost to the prisons of the new République. It seemed now that anyone who did not avidly support the new regime was a traitor to the Revolution. The guillotine in the Palace de la Revolution seemed to be used all day and night now, consuming an endless stream of victims.

"Monsieur! Monsieur!" someone called out. Jacques looked up from the stack of francs to see a woman push herself free of the crowd. She was older with wispy gray hair and one arm full of pamphlets. "Monsieur, a moment?"

He smiled and waved a hand. "No, not right now."

"But monsieur! The Revolution needs us now more than ever!" she shouted as she waved a pamphlet at him.

"Madam, I do not have the time," he replied calmly, waving his hand at her.

Her eyes widened as a mad look crossed her face. "But monsieur!"

"Pardon, madam!" came another woman, shoving the older one away. She set herself down at the table with a huge sigh and fanned herself while the pamphlet lady was lost among the parade again. 

Jacques sighed deeply and a smile touched his lips. "Madam Langlais, it is wonderful to see you."

"Likewise, though I am surprised you wished to meet here of all places," she replied as she removed her simple white bonnet. She was an older woman, not nearly as old as the one waving the pamphlets, but she was dressed modestly in a simple blue day dress and a white apron. "My orphanage would have been much more preferable."

Jacques smiled wider, though his stomach twisted. "I believe I've already discussed with you why I cannot meet you there, madam."

Madam Langlais locked her eyes with him and she leaned onto the table. She pursed her lips and narrowed her gaze. "I do recall you mentioning this girl was of great importance, but I don't seem to remember why you can't come by."

His face betrayed no emotion while his heart gave a small jolt. "My employer requires me to stay near at all times. Rarely do I get the chance to travel to the northern part of Paris."

She leaned back in her chair, staring at him quizzically before her chair was bumped by one of the parade marchers. The marcher drunkenly apologized and staggered off, giving Jacques and Madam Langlais a reason to chuckle.

"Fools think they're going to change the world one cask of wine at a time, do they?" she murmured.

"I would think so," Jacques replied, still chuckling. "So, I was informed you had seen this girl?"

Madam Langlais blinked once before nodding. "Yes. One of my night cleaners said he saw a girl just like the one you described lurking in the alleyway not too far away."

Jacques raised his eyebrows. "He did?"

"Yes, it seemed odd to have a child wandering that area without the Revolutionary Guard apprehending her," she replied. "I thought most children had been moved to the outskirts of Paris."

Jacques nodded. "So had I."

"In any case," Madam Langlais pushed on. "If she is still there, she won't be for long. The Guard is sweeping those homes again."

He tilted his head. "Oh?"

"Apparently there's a rumor some noble families are still in Paris trying to smuggle out their belongings the Republique seized," she said flatly as she picked at her fingernails. "Just a silly rumor, though. Anyone who even had a trace of nobility in their blood is long gone by now. She's probably just scavenging for something to trade for bread."

Jacques was glad she had stopped staring at him. The twisting in his stomach was almost unbearable.





"Sister, if you'd just—”

"No."

"But sister—”

"No."

"Luna!"

"I said no!"

Celestia sat at a small white table in the Royal Gardens, staring blankly at her sister. A half eaten banana oat muffin sat facing her, almost pleading to be finished, but her mouth hung open as Luna scowled down at a cup of coffee.

"You can't still be mad about—" She began.

"Of course I'm still mad!" Luna said, turning her scowl to her sister. "Nothing was accomplished last night and it seems to be getting worse!"

Celestia's mouth opened and closed several times as she tried to speak, but she couldn't see a way to speak about last night without upsetting her dear sister. Eventually, she sighed and hung her head. "Yes, sister. You're right."

Luna rolled her eyes. "And you think that will make up for your actions?"

"No, and I am truly sorry for the trouble I caused," Celestia mumbled.

Luna snorted and took a sip of her coffee. "That is not the first time I've heard that, sister. Last time, we had a disagreement that led to me being banished for a thousand years."

Celestia flinched, but looked back up. "You know better than I do that what happened was needed, but I have apologized for my actions and we both know that event is beside the point."

Luna scowled once again, but set her coffee down and straightened up. "You're right. I may be out of line by comparing last night to that, but you need to understand the gravity of this situation. Until we can find and stop whoever this is, you are in just as much danger as I was back then."

"I'm not going to turn into a tyrant sun-queen, sister," Celestia replied in a bitter tone.

"And do you think I was planning on becoming an enraged moon-harlot?" Luna asked, narrowing her eyes. "But I was tricked by the nightmares inside my mind. They were just as sweet to me as this intruder is to you. Did you ever consider that, sister?"

A tense silence filled the air, cut only by the soft breeze through the leaves and birds chirping. Celestia's stomach twisted uncomfortably behind her stoic mask. Could this really be a ploy to trick her into becoming another Nightmare Moon? How could Jacques be so wonderful to be around, and yet possibly think only of an endgame where she would most likely burn all of Equestria to the ground? She had seen the turns some ponies made throughout the course of history by allowing themselves to be deceived and had vowed to never follow the same path. But still, could she be just as easily seduced by something so sinister like her sister?

Thankfully, Luna placed her hoof on the table, snapping Celestia from her thoughts. "Sister, you know I am only saying this out of concern for you."

"I know, Luna. I know," Celestia replied. "I just... I don't sense any malice when I'm with him."

"Sister—"

Celestia plunked her own hoof on the table. "I understand your concerns, Luna. I know the risks and what happened to you, but please don't treat me like a filly. I didn't take the decision of banishing you lightly, nor do I take your warnings in ignorance."

Luna's mouth hung open as she thought of what to say, but she eventually closed her mouth and slid her hoof off of the table. "Very well, sister. I will relent on my urgings and not push you like I have if you answer one question for me."

Celestia looked Luna in the eyes. "Yes?"

Her brilliant sapphire eyes turned to ice. "How long have you been hiding your ability to travel the dreamscape from me?"





Jacques shuffled along the roadway, doing his best to squeeze past the gathered crowds without attracting any attention. The overpowering stench of red wine filled the muggy air as dark clouds gathered in the sky. Across the street, a man stood atop a cart, wearing a powdered wig and yelling with all his might at the crowd before him.

"This revolution was pre-ordained by God himself!" He roared triumphantly. "Not even the corrupt king and his harlot wife could escape the coming wrath of God, for he had sinned most gravely against his purpose for the people of France!"

A shout of approval came from the crowd, causing even more of a mad light to shine in the man's eyes. Jacques pulled his coat collar closer to him and kept walking as the man shouted more and more nonsense to them, each line of his ramblings becoming more and more outlandish. Clutching his own cross around his neck, Jacques scanned the faces around the crowds near Notre Dame until a smile split his face. Huddled over a dirty peasant with only one leg, Brother Haugen was handing him pieces of bread from a silver plate while offering a goblet of water.

"Brother Haugen!" he shouted, pushing himself past a group of women. "Over here, Brother!"

Haugen looked up and smiled as Jacques ran up to him. "Jacques! How good to see you again."

"I have had another vision, Brother," Jacques replied, panting. "I must speak with you as soon as we can."

Haugen nodded. "And speak we shall, but first, this poor soul must eat and drink."

"No, eet's alrigh'" the peasant said, drunkenly waving his hand before looking at Jacques. "Spare a franc for wine, friend?"

"Come now," Haugen replied. "God himself supplied an entire nation with bread and water while leading them to the holy land. I am offering you the same they lived on."

"No, wine!" the peasant shouted. "Water is for children! Wine!"

"Here," Jacques said, hastily reaching into his pocket and pulling out a handful of francs. He tossed them to the peasant, littering him with shiny silver coins. "Buy all the wine you want. Brother, we must speak. Now."

The peasant's eyes lit up as he hurried to collect the coins, but Brother Haugen shook his head and stood up. "That was very generous of you, Jacques, but the doctor said he has an ulcer on his stomach. He cannot drink wine."

"Tha doctor was a fool!" the peasant shouted, pushing himself up and stinking of wine. "Wine for me, hee hee!"

He hobbled off on a crude looking crutch to the store Jacques had passed, leaving the two of them alone against the wall of the Seine. With a sigh, Brother Haugen set down his plate and goblet before leaning on the wall and looking out to the river. Jacques followed suit and said, "I'm sorry for my impudence, Brother."

"Don't be, my friend," Haugen replied, smiling to him. "Not everyone takes the open hand of God. Many are focused more on their desires."

Jacques shifted. "I cannot dispute that."

"But what one man chooses to do is not why you wanted to speak to me, was it? You had another vision?" Brother Haugen said with a kind smile. "I'm most excited to hear it."

"It's not a particularly pleasant one, though," Jacques replied, looking away from Haugen. "There was... someone else in the dream."

Haugen raised his eyebrows. "There was?"

Jacques sighed. "Yes, some other being like Celestia. She wore dark blue and had large wings. She also demanded I stay away from her sister."

"Her... sister?"

Jacques nodded. He dared not say anything else about this other entity until Brother Haugen had confirmed what he suspected, but the memory of the dream flitted through his mind. There was the joy of seeing Celestia again, the happiness he had simply talking with her and the fear he felt when the dark being threatened him.

"Jacques, I... I don't know what to say about this," Brother Haugen replied. "This being... claiming an angel as her sister... Are you sure she said 'her sister'?"

Jacques' mouth went dry. "Yes."

He felt a clap on his back and a laugh come from Haugen. "My son! You've met two angels?"

"I, er, what?" Jacques asked, turning to the smiling face of Haugen.

"Jacques, you've met not one, but two angels! The hand of God must be leading you to something great!" he said, the excitement barely contained in his voice.

Jacques paled. "Y-you think so? The other sounded so cruel..."

Haugen nodded. "Most often, we misinterpret God's messages due to our own lack of understanding. Perhaps the other meant no harm, or perhaps she was there to maintain the chastity of you and the angel Celestia. Before the Flood, angels were quite smitten with humans. But do not be discouraged! Did the angel say anything new to you?"

"Sh-she did, actually," Jacques said, smiling again. "She showed me her kingdom. A city of almost pure white and at peace with all those around them."

Haugen's smiled grew even more. "It must've been heaven! Tell me, what did she say?"

"She told me about her family, that she ruled the land as a princess along with her sister, niece and student! I'm afraid I didn't get to speak more with her, but I promise that next time—"

Haugen held up his hand at that, silencing Jacques. "Jacques, I do not know what the Lord is leading you to do, but I feel this angel is guiding you to something grander, especially if she mentions her relatives."

"Actually," Jacques said. "I think she's renewing my faith in finding someone."

"Oh? Who would that be?" Haugen replied, lowering his hand.

Jacques sighed and looked back at the water flowing past. A few shouts were echoing across the river from the men tying a barge to the banks. Turning back to Haugen, he sighed and said, "If I tell you, you must swear to secrecy about this."

"I swear, on the very name of God, I will not betray your secrets," Haugen said, tracing the cross on his body.

Jacques swallowed. "I'm looking for my cousin, the last living heir to my family's name."

The excitement in Haugen's face melted into confusion. "The last living heir? But you're the successor to your family, aren't you?"

Jacques looked back at the crowd and said, "I need to make sure no one is listening if I tell you this."

Haugen glanced at the crowd and back to Jacques. "Eavesdropping is a form of greed. Knowing secrets not meant for them is a sin that God will punish any listener for."

Jacques sighed. "Do you remember my last name? Desmarais?"

Brother Haugen nodded.

"It's a noble's name. My grandfather was a count in the northern country, and he had blood ties to the nobles in Austria. My mother was his daughter, and my cousin is the firstborn daughter of her brother, the heir to my grandfather's land and title," he said.

Brother Haugen was silent for a few seconds, but coughed. "If I may ask, what happened to your cousin and her family?"

"They were ambushed," Jacques said with a shiver. "My family was attending a gala for the diplomat of Spain when the crowds of the Revolution broke in. My parents and I fled, but my uncle and aunt were caught. I was told later their heads were placed on pikes."

"May their souls find the peace of God," Brother Haugen said, drawing the cross once more.

Jacques looked down at the stone below his elbows. "I hope they do as well, but as we fled Paris, we searched for any sign of my cousin. When we heard the fate of my aunt and uncle, my parents fled the city and country. I volunteered to stay and find out what happened to her."

"And have you?" Brother Haugen asked.

Jacques looked back out at the water. "I know she wasn't killed in the ambush, and I've been paying the orphanages around my uncle's former home to inform me if they see her. I met with one of the matrons today who said she saw her."

"Then that is wonderful news!" Brother Haugen said, clapping Jacques on the back again. "Perhaps this is why Celestia has come to you! To lead you back to your family!"

"Perhaps," Jacques replied. "But as this Revolution continues, it's only a matter of time until someone notices the Desmarais line is alive."

"Then I shall pray on your behalf, brother. For both your safety and your relatives," Haugen said, bowing his head.

A smile spread across Jacques' face. "Thank you, my friend. You truly are a man of God."

"I do only as the Lord commands. Feed the hungry, visit the sick and infirm and shepherd his flock. Come to me again if Celestia visits you in your dreams," Haugen said, placing his hand on Jacques' shoulder.

"I will," Jacques said, placing his own hand on Haugen's.