Nightmare Moon ended up having a pretty fun time at The Neon Flank with Chocolate Cherry. It was a little difficult to enjoy the dancing as much as last time with so many ponies on the floor, but it was still very enjoyable. There had been a few drinks, but not quite nearly as many. So Nightmare Moon was pretty certain that she would not suffer another hangover.

The biggest difference had been that there was a live DJ. At first, it seemed very much the same as when the music was all from a pre-set sound system. As the night progressed, Nightmare got the impression that something was different, but she could not quite figure out what. According to Cherry, that's how it always was when DJ Pon-3 -- which Nightmare was told was still pronounced like "pony" and not "P-own-three" -- played, because she knew how to work the crowd and adjust the music accordingly.

It also turned out that the music played was mostly made by the DJ herself. There were even albums available for sale. Nightmare bought two of them, and even got one autographed (which was a big deal for some reason?). Now she would need to get something to play it on. Perhaps something that could play it incredibly loud. Nightmare could not help but grin and snicker as she imagined playing the music loud enough to shake the castle, much to a sleeping Twilight Sparkle's surprise.

According to Chocolate Cherry, "the club is not the entire experience of modern pony nightlife." So the two of them left the club at some time around three in the morning and made their way to an all night diner that Cherry knew of. Supposedly it was a popular place with the club-goers, but most showed up at the end of the night. Nightmare tried something called hash browns -- shredded potatoes that had been pan-fried until golden brown -- while Cherry had a hot fudge sundae (which she let Nightmare try a couple bites of).

"So it seems I got invited to a big formal ball in Canterlot," Nightmare stated. "Even got two tickets to it."

"Are you trying to invite me?" Cherry asked as she took another spoonful of ice cream.

"I do not wish to go alone," Nightmare replied, "and I have yet to find another pony whom I can tolerate as well as I have been able to do with you."

"Aww," Cherry cooed with a grin. "I like you too." She then let out a giggle as Nightmare rolled her eyes and let out a snort. Her smile slowly faded as she looked back down at her sundae, poking at one of the crushed nuts.

"In seriousness, I appreciate you asking, but I don't know. I mean, I'm not really the kind of pony that goes to those things. Getting all dressed up in their formal clothes, being charming, making small talk, dancing."

"Correct me if I am mistaken," Nightmare said, " but with the exception of the first, is that not what you do regularly?"

"That's different," Cherry replied. "It would be like expecting Vinyl to play Carneighie Hall because she works in music."

"I do not know what either of those are."

"Oh, right. Vinyl Scratch is the actual name of the DJ that was playing tonight, and Carneighie Hall is one of these big, fancy music hall up in Manehattan where they play instrumental musical."

Nightmare Moon ate more of her meal while she considered what Chocolate Cherry was saying. Technically, what was played at the club tonight and what would be played at a hall would both be considered music. However, the two genres were entirely different. There were some similarities since both were considered music, and had their audiences and celebrities (at least if DJ Pon-3 was any indication). Perhaps there were even ponies that were fans of both. However, it was doubtful that an audience attending for one would be very interested in the other instead.

"So you don't want to go?"

"I didn't quite say that," Cherry said. "I mean it could be fun. It's just... what if I do something to embarrass myself? Or somepony else? Like you."

"Embarrass?" Nightmare asked. "Me?" She leaned forward. "Cherry, I attempted to overthrow the very princess that is throwing this ball while possessing her sister. I attempted to take the throne and throw Equestria into eternal night."

And will try again once I get the chance, she mentally added.

"I do not care what these ponies think of me... Actually that is untrue. I wish for them to fear me. Otherwise I could not care less. As such, I doubt there is anything you could possibly do that would embarrass me unless you actively tried. And if you embarrass another pony, I hope you do it in a way that will make me laugh."

"What if I embarrass myself?" Cherry asked.

"Then anypony that dares to laugh or humiliate you will answer to me," Nightmare answered, baring her fangs as her wings flared out behind her. "They will not be so worried about whatever petty error you have made once I have torn a chunk of their flesh from them with my teeth."

This last statement was loud enough to get a look from several of the ponies around them, staring at the pair with wide eyes. Everything seemed to turn quiet for about fifteen seconds at the shock of what everypony just heard.

"What are you looking at?!" Nightmare snapped as she turned to glare at one of the staring ponies. There was a flash of fear in his face before he turned away, going back to his meal. When Nightmare turned to look toward others, the quickly did the same. Soon, none of the other customers were looking toward her and Cherry.

The tension was broken by Chocolate Cherry, who burst into a fit of laughter. It was deep and loud. Nightmare watched and found the Cherry's entire body shook with it. It seemed to take a full minute before the laughter settled down to giggles.

"I guess you're right," Cherry said between giggles. "After all, if you're willing to intimidate an entire diner in the town you're living in, I'm sure that my embarrassing you in a few nobles won't really be an issue."

"So you will go with me?" Nightmare asked, realizing she sounded more excited than she liked. Straightening up, she pulled her wings back in, trying to look as calm and collected as she could.

"Sure," Cherry said. "I can't promise I won't end up doing something embarrassing, but I'll still try."

"Wonderful. On your next day off, we will go out and find proper outfits to wear."

"Maybe we can make a full girls' day out of it," Chocolate Cherry suggested. Her eyes narrowed as a smirk spread across her lips. "By the way, since I'm doing this for you, could I get you to do something for me tonight?"

"What is it?" Nightmare asked. She was curious about what Cherry had in mind. Judging from the look she was being given, she could guess it had something to do with sex.

"It will be easier to show you back at my place," Cherry replied as she got up. "Come on. I really think that you'll enjoy it."

After paying the bill, the two of them left the diner and headed toward Cherry's place once more. As they went, Cherry moved closer to Nightmare and pressed against her.

"What you said back there," Cherry said, "it was kind of sweet in a psychotic way."

"Was it now?" Nightmare asked, shifting so she could look at the other mare from the corner of her eye. She had to fight back the urge to stretch out one wing and drape it over her.

"Yeah." Cherry grinned and rubbed her cheek against Nightmare's side. "You know... you're pretty nice some times."

"Lies!" Nightmare declared. "Lies and slander. Do not make such claims ever again."

"I mean it," Cherry responded. "Yeah you can be very angry and intimidating, but you can also be very kind, protective, and even..." she grinned, "affectionate... when you want to be."

As they continued to walk, Nightmare Moon turned to look more at Chocolate Cherry. She wanted to deny it, to claim it was preposterous. After all, she was Nightmare Moon, a great threat to all of Equestria who defeated the princess and tried to send Equestria into eternal darkness. She was supposed to be fierce, vicious, and absolutely wicked. Her first name should be the embodiment of how ponies perceive her, rendering them frightened and sleepless.

Yet, when she looked into those big, green, trusting eyes, Nightmare did not find it in her to do so. Ears pulling back, she let out a snort and looked ahead again.

"Do not let it get out," she grumbled. "I still have a reputation to maintain, and it would be hard to intimidate ponies into obedience if they think I have a soft side."

"As you wish, my mistress," Cherry replied, and Nightmare could just hear the grin in her voice.

With a twist of her hips, Nightmare Moon swung her tail to the side, striking it against Chocolate Cherry's plot. It was doubtful that it hurt, but it did elicit a slight yelp. Nightmare did not bother to look in Cherry's direction, keeping her face forward while a smirk spread across her face.