Starlight and sleep had a strange relationship.

Sometimes sleep approached her like a long-lost lover. Other times, when she desperately wanted rest, it never came no matter how much she prayed for it.

As Starlight sat at the table, trying to focus on the card game, sleep was smothering her. Reality had turned grey and mushy around her, the universe falling out of focus as her mind grew foggy.

“Star?” a voice called to her. “Star, are you still with us?”

The thestral snapped to attention, wings outstretched, ready to confront whatever predator had snuck up on her. “What?! What is it?”

Sitting at the other end of the table with cards in hand, Daniel regarded her with a look of concern. “I said, do you have any threes?”

“Uh, no, no.” Starlight shook her head, trying to banish her sluggishness. “Go fishing.”

Daniel drew a card from the deck as if in slow motion, while Star watched on, desperate for their game to resume and distract her from her exhaustion.

It was funny, seeing him dressed as he was. Until then, she’d only ever seen him in his business suits. So much so that man and garment had merged in her mind, one inseparable from the other. He only wearing a t-shirt and jeans was just bizarre. Since their trip had begun she’d often needed to stop herself for a moment to remind herself that it was Daniel.

The human saying was true: the clothes did make the man.

“Are you having any fours?” Starlight asked.

“Nope. Go fish.”

Starlight struggled to draw a card from the deck. Her head swimming, and vision blurred.

What card was it? A six? No, an eight, definitely an eight.

“Are you having any... any…” With a groan, Starlight set her cards on the table. “I am most sorry Daniel, but I cannot be concentrating.”

The train hated her. Everything about it had been designed to aggravate her, from the excessively bright cabin lights that made her eyes water even with her sunglasses on, to the overly-loud air vents in every cabin. But the clacking of the train tracks was the worst of it all, they never ceasing, refusing to let her rest, let her relax.

“I’m sorry Star,” Daniel said. “This mustn’t be much fun for you.”

“It is all right, and beyond your control. There is no reason for you to be apologizing about it.”

Even after five years away from Letyucha, that custom still puzzled her. Why apologize over something that wasn't your fault to begin with? One might as well apologize for an oncoming storm, or for a rockslide. It was as if everyone in Equestria wanted to make themselves out as divine, responsible for everything in the universe.

A soft hand patted Starlight’s hoof. “Why don’t you lay down? Try to get some rest.”

With a yawn Starlight slipped off of her seat. “Yes. That would be… most helpful.”

Sighing with relief, she flopped back onto the cabin’s bed, wings flapping as she worked her way under the thick covers. Under there it was dark, and even the noises outside weren’t as loud. It was like being inside a fluffy cocoon, and already Starlight felt better.

“Come on now, Slate, a little further.”

Peeking out of her sanctuary, only exposing her eyes and muzzle to the outside world, Starlight saw just in time what her son was up to. He sat on the floor horn glowing and sparking, filling the cabin with the faint scent of ozone. A tiny metal ring floated in front of his face, enveloped in a shimmering blue aura.

“You’re almost there,” George said, as Slate attempted to thread the the little ring through a length of wire, gritting his teeth as he did.

Since Slate would be missing quite a bit of school, George had insisted on carrying out magical exercises to compensate. Since full blooded thestrals lacked horns, and her understanding of magic was so theoretical it would’ve been better suited to an academic lecture, Starlight was more than grateful for the help.

With one last spark from Slate’s horn, the ring cleared the end of the wire and clattered to the floor.

“Well done, Slate!” George gave the half-unicorn a pat on the back. “You’re getting really good at fine control!”

Slate beamed.

“Thanks, Mr. Goldeneyes,” he said, rubbing his horn. “Can we stop now?”

“Not yet,” George said, reaching into his saddlebag and pulling out a chunk of translucent crystal. “Now let's test your charging technique.”

Slate groaned. “Mama, do I have to?”

“Yes, Slate, you must be practicing your magic.” Starlight replied, using the “special” voice known by all mothers, the one that no amount of whining or arguing could shield against.

Powerless, Slate turned back to his teacher, though not without a whole lot of pouting.

As her son grudgingly trained with the inactive magelight, Starlight tunneled back under the covers. Back in the gentle embrace of darkness she closed her eyes, praying to feel the embrace of the Nightmother.

Manehattan. Ever since she was a filly, she’d heard tales about Equestria’s most populous city. Back then, it’d been an almost mythical place, where social stature and family connections meant nothing. Where even the lowest-born peasant could become a prince with enough hard work and cunning, and where artistry was the most valuable commodity of all. Even as an adult, with a hard crust of cynicism around her soul, she couldn’t help but feel a little giddy at the prospect.

Encased in blankets, Starlight tossed and turned. No matter how hard she tried, the train was determined to keep her chained in the waking world. Even with the blankets, there was still enough noise to keep her awake.

With a frustrated snort, Starlight tunneled her way out of the bed sheets.

The cabin door slid open, and a stallion walked in. Starlight was almost ready to leap at him, before she realized it was Lenny. Instead of the usual ceremonial armor, the two had opted for civilian clothing; George in his pinstripe shirt, and Lenny with his floral pattern vest and straw fedora.

“I’m back,” Lenny announced rather redundantly, levitating over a paper cup. “I got ya some coffee, Miss Star.”

Accepting the cup with a smile, she already felt better. If sleep would not have her, then she’d fight it with all she had.

As Starlight sipped her drink, she sloshed it around in her mouth, relishing the silky bitterness. While most ponies liked to dump cream or sugar into their coffee, masking everything it was supposed to be, Starlight preferred to leave hers unsullied. Coffee was so much more than a cheap caffeine rush, though too many ponies couldn’t seem to grasp that. A beverage as refined as it deserved the same consideration as a fine wine. You didn’t drink it, you savored it.

“Bought you all something,” Lenny said, rummaging through his bag.

For his comrade there was a bottle of mineral water, and Daniel some fancy sort of juice.

All the while State waited for his turn, almost bouncing in excitement. Lenny made a show of it though, digging around in his bag far longer than it was possible to take to find something in there. Finally he pulled out a bottle of caramel-brown liquid, and presented it to the unicorn colt.

“Thought you might like something cold.”

“Yay!”

Rearing up on his hind legs, Starlight’s son galloped over to Lenny and seized the bottle from his hoof.

“Slate” Starlight said with a smile. “Be sure to say thank you to Mister Silvereye.”

“Oh, yeah. Thank you Mister Silvereye!”

Gripping the bottle in his forelegs and sticking the cap in his mouth, Slate tried with all his might to pry it open, only for it to resist all attempts.

“Mama, can you open this?”

“Of course.” Starlight said.

Clamping her teeth down hard on the cap, she pulled until her jaw ached.. Nothing, it might as well have been cemented in place.

“Sun-scorched thing,” she muttered under her breath. “Would anypony happen to be having a bottle opener?”

“No need.” Daniel said, standing up and cracking his knuckles. “Lets see what ol’ Righty can do.”

With that, Daniel gripped the bottle by its neck, and a few grunts and twists the cap was off, filling the cabin the syrupy smell of sarsaparilla. Just smelling it was enough to give one a sugar rush.

“Thanks Mr. Daniel!” Slate said, gripping the bottle with his forelegs and quaffing down its contents.

Inwardly, Starlight cringed. Already she could see an army of plaque invading Slate’s teeth, nourished by the deluge of sugar. Still she left him be. After all, they were on vacation, and she’d be sure to have him brush his teeth properly when they arrived at their hotel.

The last of the liquid slid down Slate’s throat. Tossing the bottle aside, the colt licked his lips, then burped.

“Slate, what are you to be saying?” asked Starlight.

“Oh, excuse me.” The colt said. “Thanks again Mr. Daniel! Those hands of yours are really good at opening bottles”

“You’re most certainly welcome.” Daniel replied. “But that’s not the only thing they’re good for.”

Slowly an impish grin spread over Daniel’s face. With that, he leapt out of his seat and scooped Slate up into his arms, tickling the foal’s soft underbelly.

“Hahaha stop it, stop it!” Slate spluttered out through his giggles, wriggling wildly in a futile attempt to free himself. The unicorn’s horn sparked and sputtered, trying to push Daniel away, but his magic was useless against the power of tickling.

As she watched on, Starlight smiled, a gentle warmth spreading through her body. A part of her wondered what it would be like to feel his hands stroking her coat, basking in his body heat.

The smile vanished. But hadn’t there been another stallion like that, one with a charming smile and a tongue that could charm the scales off of a dragon? One who she’d thought would be the perfect mate?

Starlight shoved the unbidden thoughts back into her subconscious. For the last time, Daniel was nothing like him. Daniel would never go back on his word. Daniel would never leave her and her son to fend for themselves in a harsh, uncaring world. She knew that.

Then why did she have a knot in her stomach?

*****

“Manehattan!” yelled the conductor, the squeal of the train’s brakes threatening to drown him out. “Now stopping at Manehattan!”

Starlight groaned and trotted out of the passenger car, stretching her wings and legs in equal measure, muscles burning after staying idle for so long. Sometimes, she sincerely wished that the mages up in Canterlot would finally perfect long-range non-interdimensional teleportation.

Behind her, Daniel walked out, breathing in deep despite the steam from the train’s engine all around them.

“Thank Celestia for that, I thought that ride was never going to end,” he said, cracking his neck. “I was going stir crazy in there.”

“Really?” Starlight chuckled. “I was thinking that you were used to being locked in small, cramped spaces.”

“Ha ha, very droll,“ Daniel said. Though he tried to remain straight faced, he just couldn’t stop a smile from breaking through “With wit like that, we need to stop by a comedy club on open mike night.”

“Just you be trying,” Starlight shot back. “If you try, there is one certain human in mind who will receive quite the tongue lashing.”

“Heaven help if that happens,” Daniel said with a chuckle. “My self-esteem may never recover.”

“I was not sure that it was living in the first place,” Starlight muttered and looked towards the station’s baggage car, watching as workers unloaded a mountain of bags and suitcases. “It appears to be time for us to retrieving our luggage.”

But before she could take a single step towards it, Daniel held her back.

“Me and the guys will get our bags. You and Slate can wait here and relax, watch the people go past.”

Starlight put a hoof on Daniel’s side. “Daniel, please allow me to be helping. It is your vacation, no? I am no stranger to physical labors.”

“Correction, it’s our vacation. I can’t do all the relaxing by myself.” He smiled. “Consider my carrying the bags as penetance for scaring you with my little… episode.”

Though she didn’t like it, Starlight had the feeling such a tiny act was important to Daniel, so didn’t argue any further.

“Well it’s settled then,” Daniel said after no reply came. “We’ll be right back!”

With that, Daniel set off towards the baggage car, whistling some nondescript tune as he weaved through the crowd.

As they waited, Slate and Starlight took up a seat on a nearby bench. The little unicorn’s eyes glistened as they beheld station’s polished granite walls and floor, its arched ceiling and elaborate bas-reliefs. They featured ponies frollicing through fields, and conversing with those of other species as Princess Celestia and Luna looked down upon them from the sky.

For a moment, and against her better judgement, Starlight felt nostalgic. Once upon a time her denfather had taken her in a trip across Equestria, allowing her to witness it all from the safe opulence of his private rail car. She hadn’t know any better then, of how it was all just a means to control her, but they had been pleasant days where she’d been waited on for every moment of the day. It had been a comfortable life, but never one she wished to return to.

“It is nice here, is it not, little star?” she asked her son, as he gazed down in awe at all the ponies as they trotted path.

Turning to her he nodded, though he looked at her strangely. “Are you okay Momma, you’re speaking all funny?”

“Fine little star, I am just reminiscing, thinking on my past. It is a thing that grown ups do sometimes, it helps you to remember why you became the pony you are, and how you wish to be better.”

He nodded, but Slate still looked confused. Starlight didn’t blame him though, he was too young to understand what it was to be old enough to regret things.

Wrapping her forelegs around her son’s barrel, Starlight pulled him into a tight hug, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“It doesn’t matter little star, just me being a silly adult. When you are reminiscing one day, you might remember now, then you’ll understand what I mean. Now, how much do I love you?”

Having wriggled around so he was facing her, Slate looked up and giggled.

“More than anything,” he said, long used to the question.

Something tapped Starlight on the shoulder. She turned to see Daniel, George and Lenny standing behind her, each carrying a suitcase.

“Hey you two,” Daniel said. “Hope we aren’t interrupting. None of us could understand what you were saying, so we just had to take a gamble that it wasn’t anything important.”

It was only then that Starlight realized they’d been speaking in Letyan.

“Nothing important,” she said, shaking her head. “Just mother and son things.”

“Well we’ve got our bags,” Daniel replied, holding them up as if Starlight could’ve somehow missed them. “Guess we can head off to our hotel now, get settled in.”

With their group reunited, they made their way to the station’s exit, George and Lenny taking the lead to better clear a path through the throng of ponies.

“Daniel, where is it that we will be staying?” Starlight asked. Though she’d asked more than once, Daniel had outright refused to tell her where they were to be staying. She might’ve found it charming, if not for her hatred of the unending anticipation that always accompanied the promise of a surprise.

“Oh, no place special,” Daniel said with an impish grin. “Just some fleabag hotel called the ‘Waldhorse Esperia’.”

The thestral’s heart almost leapt out of her chest. “The Waldhorse Esperia? You are making retribution for my joking surely?”

“God strike me down if I were to ever do something so cruel.”

Fighting down the urge to take to the air and skydance then and there, Starlight instead opted skip the rest of the way out of the train station. She hadn’t skipped since she was a filly!

The fanciest hotel in Manehattan, the one reserved for the elite of Equestrian society and they’d be staying at it. Any second she expected see Lady Luna appear and tell her it was all a dream.

“This… this must be costing a fortune, no? I was knowing that you are well-paid but… this...”

From what she’d heard, getting a reservation for the hotel’s best suites could cost as much as a down payment for a home loan.

“Oh, much as I’d like to take credit, Twilight’s the one you should be thanking for all this,” Daniel said. “This whole trip was on her, reservations and everything. These sort of places love to give away their ‘Princess Suites’ to actual princesses and their friends in the hope of currying favor.”

“I am not thinking anyone could be more generous,” Starlight said, walking out the stations’ massive twin doors.

Daniel chuckled. “I imagine you’ll meet her friends at some point. When I find out you spent the day at a spa and then went for a fitting for a free professionally made dress, you can tell me that you were wrong on that account.”

Out on the street, he stuck two fingers in his mouth and gave a loud whistle. “Taxi!”

*****

As their cab weaved through traffic, Starlight’s first impression of Manehattan was ‘big’. Back in her home country, large buildings were rare; far too vulnerable to storms, and had no purpose when there were so many caves around to choose from. In Manehattan massive buildings rose up all around her, surrounding her in a forest of steel and concrete.

Of course, Starlight was no stranger to cities, having lived in Canterlot for almost six years. But Manehattan was different. The capital had an aura of authority and antiquity to it; the whole city was one great palace and time only moved forward whenever its residents wished it too. Every cobblestone, every brick, every lamp post was ingrained with history.

In Manehattan, however, there was a sense that time was constantly running out, and where the most important virtue was haste.

To be honest, it kind of scared her.

Starlight found herself squeezing Daniel’s hand, and he squeezed back.

“It’s pretty overwhelming at first, isn’t it?” he said. “It’s too easy to get used to the slow walking snobs in Canterlot.”

“Are your Earth cities resembling this?” she asked, trying to get her thoughts back into order.

“Even bigger.”

Bigger! Manehatten was so enormous it boggled her mind. There being even one city being larger than it, let alone dozens more, was almost inconceivable.

After a while, the cab lurched to the side, turning into the driveway that lead up to an elaborate art-deco skyscraper.

“Here we are, the Manehattan Waldhorse Esperia,” the cabbie called out.

As they all clambered out of the taxi Daniel and the guards moved to retrieve their luggage, only for it to be intercepted by an army of bellhops, who loaded everything onto carts without a word.

“Pardon us,” George said, he and his partner already heading towards the hotel’s revolving doors. “Silvereyes and I will confirm our reservation, then head off to our rooms.”

“Can I go with them, Mama?” Slate asked, bouncing up and down.

“Certainly,” Starlight said, “but please be certain to stay close together.”

The colt nodded, then trotted off into the hotel with the two guardsponies. As the trio passed through the revolving doors Lenny gave a quick nod and a smile over his shoulder at Star.

Impressive as the hotel was, all she really wanted to do right then was crawl into a soft bed, close her eyes, and sleep for the next few decades. Already she could feel the delicious chill of a darkened bedroom, and the silky sheets against her coat. Perhaps even have someone to cuddle with?

Trotting up to the main doors, which was pulled open by a doorman, Starlight stopped as she came face to face with a unicorn on the other side.

“Oh, my apologies,” Starlight said.

“No problem at all,” the unicorn replied, “these things happen.”

Eager to get inside, Starlight took a step to the left, hoping to let the unicorn past. The only problem was, the unicorn must’ve had the same thought, and they once again found themselves blocking each other’s way, only a little more to the left. Wanting to be done with it, Starlight stepped to the right, only for the unicorn to mirror her again.

“Oh my, it appears we’re in quite the predicament,” the unicorn said, sounding rather amused. “We’re both being too polite. How about on three, we let manners slip for a moment, and push past each other?”

Starlight nodded, giving an embarrassed smile. “I am being all for that.”

“Well darling, it was nice to meet you,” the unicorn said, brushing a bit of lint off her black turtleneck. “I do hope you have fun in Manehatten. One… two… Daniel!?”

Glancing behind her, Starlight found Daniel and the mysterious unicorn with identical looks of shock on their faces.

“Rarity?”

“Daniel!”

The unicorn galloped over to Daniel—not finding the need to say ‘three’ before brushing past Starlight—and reared up on her hind legs to embrace him.

“Darling, it’s so good to see you!”

Daniel returned the hug. “Good to see you too, Rarity.”

Struck dumb by the turn of events, all Starlight could manage to do was stand there.

She couldn’t help it, but seeing Daniel like that, with his arms wrapped around another mare, it awoke some part of her deep down inside that she didn’t like.

With a start, she realized what it was. She was jealous, and it made her feel so guilty she just couldn’t bare it. Just because he had done such terrible things, she wouldn’t let it change who she was, make her into the kind of pony who saw treachery in everything their partner did.

Finally, the unicorn released Daniel from her embrace and looked over at Starlight.

“You must be the mare Twilight wrote to me about. Starlight, correct?”

“That’s right.” Daniel smiled, gesturing towards her. “This fine mare is Starlight. Not to be confused with the other Starlight of course. Seems you two have already broken the ice, but we can’t just ignore formality, especially when it’s for you Rarity.”

He cleared his throat.

“Starlight, this is Rarity, an old friend from Ponyville. Rarity, meet Starlight. I guess... well I suppose there's no guessing about it, we're dating.”

The unicorn let out a squeal that could’ve shattered glass, while her eyes went as wide as saucers. For a moment, Starlight honestly thought the mare was about to have a heart attack.

With a strength that surprised her, Starlight found herself enveloped in a magical aura that dragged her closer to Daniel. Then Rarity flung her forelegs around both of them and hugged them tightly.

“Oh darlings, that’s wonderful!” she cried out, giving them both a kiss on each cheek. “I just adore when people find their special someponies. Why it is enough to make any mare swoon.”

Starlight was so stunned her etiquette training kicked in, and she returned the kisses. For his part though, Daniel just patted the unicorn on the back, while at the same time trying to get her to relax her death grip on him.

“Well, we’re not exactly special someponies, at least not yet,” Daniel said, looking rather embarrassed.

“Oh, there’s no need to play coy, Daniel dear. You’ve admitted it, and that is just marvelous. I can see the burgeoning rose of the romance between you two, slowly spreading its petals!”

“Rarity, I appreciate the excitement, I really do, but I’m having a little trouble breathing here,” Daniel said.

Blinking at the two as the revelation struck, Rarity lowered herself back onto all fours, blushing furiously. “Err… my apologies, darling. I suppose that in the presence of something so romantic, I allowed myself to become a little carried away.”

Chuckling, Daniel brushed some loose fur off of his shirt. “You haven’t changed at all, Rares.”

“Likewise.” The unicorn turned to Starlight. “My… enthusiastic congratulations aside, it is a pleasure to meet you Starlight.”

“It is a pleasure to be meeting you too, Miss Rarity.”

The mare tittered. “Please, darling, there’s no need to be so formal. After my little display of exuberance you didn’t turn tail and run for you life, which I think means we more than qualify to say we’re friends. Just Rarity will do.” She motioned with her head towards the Hotel Esperia, elaborately styled mane bobbing as she did. “I was going to visit Central Park, but that can wait. Let's head inside, shall we? The sidewalk is hardly the place for a reunion.”

Once in the lobby, Starlight’s jaw dropped for the second time that day.

It wasn’t a hotel, it was a palace, or perhaps something even grander. Palaces back in Letyucha weren’t as elaborate as the Waldhorse Esperia, with its gold-covered railings, plush carpeting, and a shimmering crystal chandelier to cap things off. Guests of all shapes and species filed about the lobby; griffons, minotaurs, ponies from all three tribes were present, along with more than a few humans, all dressed in attire that would’ve cost a Letyan worker a year’s wages.

As Starlight marveled at the hotel, she caught a whiff of expensive perfume as a Letyan lady trotted past, the bustle of her dress shaking in time with her steps. That scent, Starlight would’ve recognize it anywhere. One of her denmothers, it had been her favorite, and it summoned up one of the few happy times in her childhood where they would read together next to a roaring fire.

Rarity lead the group to a cluster of chairs placed for guests who somehow were too lazy to take the short elevator ride up to their own rooms. Taking a seat on the sofa, Daniel patted the cushion next to him, and Starlight took up his offer. Rarity sat on the chair opposite theirs.

“So, what brings you to Manehattan?” Daniel asked. “I thought you were supposed to be at a fashion show in Seaddle.”

“Well, darling, it’s quite the story,” Rarity said. “The fashion show wrapped up yesterday, and I must say it’s left me so drained it would take me a full week in the spa to recover.” She laughed. “But of course that would drive me bankrupt, so I’ve opted instead take a couple of days off in Manehatten. Make something of a vacation out of it you could say, because I’ve since realized I haven’t had a single trip to the big city that hasn’t involved my career, helping Coco with something, or a PSSSDWR. Oh, but forgive me, rambling on about nothings. What about you two?”

“Oh nothing much,” said Daniel. “Though I may have shut myself in my office for a few days with a mountain of paperwork then went into a panic-induced meltdown.”

“By goodness, Daniel I had no idea you were so overworked!” Rarity gasped, as dramatic as ever. “I certainly hope your superiors are raked over the coals.”

“Do not be worrying,” Starlight said. “When we are returning, Daniel will be giving his employers a—what is the phrase—a piece of his mind.”

Rarity snorted. “I wholeheartedly concur. I more than anypony knows how it feels to be overworked and at the mercy of a taskmaster. It never ends if you do not stand up for yourself.”

“Now ladies, we don’t need to be so militant,” Daniel said, looking just a touch uncomfortable. “I failed to request any help, but they didn’t force the point either. We’re both at fault, and I’m sure we’ll be able to sit down and have a calm discussion on how to fix things.”

“Whatever you feel is best darling,” Rarity said with a decisive nod. “Switching topics, I must say darling I love those sunglasses on you, they are ever so stylish.”

It took Starlight a moment to realize Rarity was referring to her. It must’ve gotten confusing, using the same title for everyone all the time.

“Thank you.” Starlight adjusted the tinted lenses. “Ray-Band Aviators, a human design. Though they are not being worn for fashion, only for function.”

“Oh darling, that makes them no less stylish,” Rarity said with a titter. “That is the thing far too many designers forget, that fashion is only born from function. Of course, sometimes that function is to make oneself look extra beautiful, but my point remains. You are a thestral, the light must be torture, hence you need sunglasses. But you have picked the most stylish ones you could find, hence fashion combined with function, the true achievement all designers must strive for.”

“I have never been thinking of it as such,“ Starlight admitted.

“And there is nothing wrong with that darling, because you did it without thinking.”

“Letyucha is where the Nightmother brought me into this world, and even though I am not being a recent immigrant, the aching eyes are never leaving. It is six years come Hearthswarming since I was becoming an Equestrian citizen. I am just being thankful my son does not have the same problem.”

“Darling, I hope I do not offend,” Rarity said. “It sounds like you only just moved here. Your accent, it is lovely, but it is still rather thick. ”

“It is being the truth, so I do not mind,” Starlight said with a chuckle. “Letyucha, she is a jealous land. She is liking to make it known which are her citizens, no matter how many years they have strayed from her.”

“I’ve always wanted to visit there, it just sounds so very wonderful; the snow-capped mountain peaks, crisp air, and lush pine forests. The culture too, it must be marvelous to live like that. Oh to see the skydancers in their traditional clothing as they dance under the stars. To breathe in that fresh mountain air.”

Rarity swooned, and Starlight suppressed a groan. There it was; the typical romanticization that virtually everypony attached to her homeland. It was just the kind of image the Foreign Ministry wanted.

“Believe me, Ms. Rarity—”

“Please darling, I’ve already said that formalities are not needed. If you keep calling me Ms. Rarity, then good manners would require me to call you Ms. Starlight. I don’t think either of us would like that.”

“Very well, Rarity. You are saying that my country is beautiful? Well, that is true, sometimes, when it is not ravaged by storms, or when the peasants are not rebelling, or when the crops have not succumbed to blight, or when the mountain beasts are not rampaging…”

“Stop darling, do please stop.” Rarity said, holding up a hoof all the while with an embarrassed look on her face. “I fear I have let romanticism cloud my judgment again, and I’d hate to look the fool any longer. “I suppose I shall have to revise my bucket list.”

“I am being sorry, it is—”

But just then the sound of little hooves on hard marble thundered closer, and Starlight paused, turning to look over at the crowd, searching for their origin.

“Mama!”

Dodging, ducking and weaving through crowds of ponies in the lobby, Slate vaulted over a luggage cart and onto Starlight’s lap.

“Mama! Did you know they’ve got a swimming pool here? Mr Silvereyes told me. Can I check it out, please please please?”

George and Lenny trotted up, gasping for breath. “My apologies, Miss Starlight. We tried to stop him, but he’s slippery when he wants to be.”

“I am seeing that!” Starlight picked up her son and placed him by her side. “Little Star, Mama is quite occupied at this moment. You can wait until I’m done, no?”

“Yes Mama.” Slate said, nodding excitedly. He took one look at Rarity and froze.

“Who’s this?” Rarity cooed, leaning over for a better look, eyes lighting up like lanterns. “Why hello there, little dear. It’s so very nice to meet you, what’s your name?

In typical fashion, Slate eeped and hid behind Starlight.

“His name, it is Slate,” Starlight said with a smile. “He is being rather shy.”

“Oh my, that can be a difficult thing to experience as a child,” Rarity said. “It’s ok darling, I won’t bite.”

Slate was unconvinced, refusing to leave his maternal shelter.

“Colts, you are knowing how they can be.”

“No, I’m afraid I don’t really. I never was much good with children, even when I was one.” She turned her eyes to George. “Oh, and you are?”

“Goldeneye, Miss Rarity. Lieutenant Goldeneye. My comrade Lieutenant Silvereye and I act as ambassador Habbuck’s bodyguards. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Yeah, it’s real nice to meetcha Miss!” Lenny chimed in. “My missus is a real big fan o’ yours.”

“Well, the pleasure is most mutual,” Rarity replied, her eyes drifting up the ornate clock overlooking the lobby.. “Oh my, is it past the hour already! I’m sorry darlings but I promised an old friend that I’d meet her at Central Park soon. I hope to see you again sometimes soon.”

“Well it’s been really nice to talk Rarity, even if it didn’t last that long,” Daniel said, shooting her a roguish smile.

The rest of the group echoed the sentiment, even Slate managing to pop his head out to wave goodbye.

With that the unicorn turned around, stylish mane swinging, only to pause.

“Oh, iddeeeaa!” she trilled. “Fluttershy, bless her heart, graciously gave me a… season pass to the Manehattan zoo for my birthday. Since it allows me to take five guests with me, I was wondering if you would care to join me?”

“Zoo?” Slate’s ears perked up. “Oh Mama can we please go?!”

“I am not…” Starlight began.

Memories of disastrous petting zoo visits flashed through her mind, every time Starlight left with angry business owners and a son upset for weeks. She couldn’t bear seeing her son go through that heartbreak again. It enriched the soul, but there reached a point where it became torture instead.

From the look on Daniel’s face, he shared her feelings.

“Um, little star, you are… certain that you are wanting to be going, yes? You are remembering what happened at the Nightmare Night carnival, yes?”

She laughed nervously, twiddling her hooves.

“That was ‘cuz the animals were all scared of the costumes. They won’t be scared this time!”

“And the petting zoo at your friend’s birthday party?”

“Somepony popped a bunch of balloons when I got close.”

With desperation in his eyes, Slate galloped over to Daniel, wrapping two furry forelegs around his knees.

“Please, Mr. Daniel. You said we could all have a special day together and do whatever I wanted. Can this be it. Can it, can it, can it?”

“Well…” Daniel said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I guess that we… could.”

“Yay!” Fireworks showered from Slate’s horn. The little colt reared on his hind legs, whinnying in delight. “Thank you Ms. Rarity!”

“My pleasure, little darling.”

Rarity gave the little half-unicorn friendly nuzzle, unaware of what she had just done, while Starlight shot Daniel a dirty look. He gave a forlorn shrug in return.

“Well everypony, now I absolutely must rush off or risk being late. It’s been a pleasure to see old friends and make new ones.”

After giving everyone a nod and a smile in turn, Rarity trotted towards the door, tail swishing back and forward.

“I’ll meet you all tomorrow morning right here at nine o’clock on the dot,” she called over her shoulder. “Until then, ciao!”

Everyone returned her goodbyes, some more enthusiastic than others. A hard ball of ice had formed in Starlight’s stomach, and all she could manage was a half hearted wave at Rarity’s quickly retreating form..

“Zoo zoo zooo zooo, I’m going to the zoooo” Slate sang, dancing around the couch. “Zoo zoo zoo zoo…”

They was going to the zoo. Her son was going to the Manehattan zoo.

Nightmother help them.

*****

The next day found Starlight, Daniel, Rarity and the rest of the group in a taxi carriage, en route to certain disaster.

Starlight should’ve been happy. The weather was pleasant; warm and breezy, with just enough dark clouds overhead to put her at ease. She was with her beloved son, a man she cared for greatly and more friends than she thought she’d ever again have in her life. Add on of that they were all about to spend the day together in the city she’d always dreamed of visiting, it should’ve made it perfect.

Instead, all she could think about was how badly it would all end. She could already see the tears in Slate’s eyes, and hear the frightened howls and roars of the animals.

As good an actor as Daniel was, Starlight could tell he wasn’t doing much better. The tautness of his smile, the way his hands never stayed still, it gave him away. It was strange, they were from different worlds, yet the way they expressed anxiety was all but identical.

“Boss, you okay?” Lenny asked. “You’re lookin’ kinda jumpy, and Miss Starlight ain’t doin’ much better, if you pardon me sayin’ so.”

“Oh, we’re fine.” Daniel said. “Just a bit... overwhelmed at being in a strange new city.”

He gave Starlight a nudge.

“Yes, that is all it is. Nerves,” Starlight added, forcing out a laugh.

Lenny searched their faces but eventually shrugged. “What you say goes.”

“Mama, Mama,” Slate said, tugging at her foreleg, while gesturing off towards the sidewalk. “Look do you see it, do you see it? Do you see the funny man?”

Eager to distract herself, Starlight scooted up to Slate and bent down so she could better follow where he was pointing. “What funny man?”

“That! See the funny man?”

There was quite the crowd gathered outside, but Starlight knew straight away who her son was talking about.

A stallion stood on the street corner, an enormous banner strung up behind him; a field of red on which lay a yellow hammer and sickle. Ponies looked on—expressions ranging from ecstatic, to bored, and even a bit of outrage—as he paced back and forth, speaking calmly but clearly to them all. Even as Starlight watched, ponies who trotted past curiously glanced his way, only to stop and listen.

Near the stallion stood a female griffon, simultaneously handing out pamphlets, and preventing any of the gathered ponies from getting too close.

Music too sounded out in the background, piped from a record player somewhere out of sight. It was just loud enough to be heard, and proved a rather good backdrop to the stallion’s speech.

The people’s flag is deepest red
It shrouded oft our martyred dead
And err their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their heart’s blood dyed its every fold

“Do not let yourself be cowed by the human history you have read. All their attempts at true communism have been failures, spurned by their greed, their inability to render themselves onto their fellows, and their technological shortcomings. We are different, and we hold advantages and sophistications that they lacked during their last great attempts. Comrade Marx and Comrade Lenin are men to be admired, men who fought with all they had to achieve a utopia that their times and technology prevented. They are martyrs whose attempts we must never forget; both out of respect, and as warnings to where we too can fail. Do not believe what the rich and ennobled have endeavored to make you believe. If we stand together as brothers and sisters, as comrades, a better world will be born out of the old. No longer shall we work just to survive, so we can put food on our tables and a roof above our heads. No, instead we shall work for our fellows, for the betterment of us all.”

Look round the griffon loves its blaze
The sturdy pony chants its praise
In Moscow’s vaults its hymns were sung
Canterlot swells the surging throng

Starlight had read about their philosophy. That the means of production should be owned by the workers, and that all property should be held by the communally. From what she’d heard, it was becoming popular amongst Letyan intellectuals, though given its checkered history that may not’ve been a good thing. Certainly the denfathers didn’t like it one bit, and there’d been rumors of another purge around the corner to bring academia in line with government doctrine.

And raise the scarlet standard high
For in its shade we live and die
Though cowards flinch, and traitors sneer
We’ll keep the red flag flying dear

As the song played on Slate hummed along to the hymn, blissfully unaware of its meaning. Sometimes Starlight envied that innocence, untouched by the cynicism that came with maturity. To him, politics was just something grown-ups did when they were bored.

“My, I’ve read about them in the paper,” Rarity said, having edged herself closer to the window to get a better look herself. “I’m all for being generous, but even I will admit there reaches a point where one can give away too much. To give everything you own over to your fellows, it must be quite the test of faith to trust they will respond in kind.”

It well recalls the triumphs past
It gives the hope of peace at last
The banner bright, the symbol plain
Of sapient right and sapient gain

Daniel had turned pale, and rubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t… didn’t realize they’d learned about that sort of stuff.”

The taxicab came to a stop, and everyone piled out.

“Here we are, Manehattan Central Park,” the cabbie announced. “That’ll be twenty-two bits, please. Sorry ‘bout that lot back there, didn’t realize they were scheduled for a rally today. You humans don’t seem to like those communists very much.”

Pulling out his wallet, Daniel deposited the appropriate amount of coins into the cabbie’s hoof.

With a wave and a smile, the cabbie stashed the money into his saddlebag, and set off down the road. Things moved fast in Manehatten, and every second spent idle was money down the drain.

Like everything else in Manehattan, the city zoo was huge. Enormous wrought iron gates drew every passerby close, welcoming them into a world of wonder and education. It was one of the city’s pride and joys, and a tourist’s dream to boot, so it only made sense the Manehatten city council spent a whole load of bits every year to ensure its stable of animals, monsters and beasts was always expanding.

Of late it had received new standing in the scientific community, it housing a team of human zoologists working to compare Earth and Equis native species. According to some of the scientific journals Star had read, with a few very notable exceptions, many of the more common animals on Equiss were almost identical to their Earth counterparts right down to a genetic level. Needless to say, it raised a lot of questions.

While there was a ticket booth and an area designated for queuing up, thankfully that day there wasn’t anyone in line. Schools were still in session, and it was the middle of the week.

“Wait here everypony, I’ll just sort everything out at the front desk,” Rarity said, already hurrying off to do just that. “They have my name on a list you see. Tickets just waste too much paper.”

A short while later, in which they could all see Rarity chatting amicably with the pony staffed at the ticket booth, the fashionista motioned them to come closer.

“It’s all sorted darlings,” she said. “In we all go.”

As the approached the gate, Starlight’s stomach began to churn once again. Each hoofstep brought them closer and closer to a certain disaster. But, there was nothing she could do to stop them either.

“Um, Miss Rarity?”

“Yes?”

“Your mane is really pretty.”

“Why thank you, darling,” Rarity said with a smile. For his compliment, Slate was rewarded with a gentle pat on the head. “That was very sweet.” The unicorn turned to Starlight, “ Your son is quite the gentlecolt, Starlight.”

“He is indeed.” Starlight said, feeling slightly less anxious.

It was odd. From what Daniel had told her, Rarity and children were like nitro and glycerin. If you mixed the two together, chaos would ensue. Yet, against all expectations, the pair seemed to be getting on rather well.

“So, Slate,” Starlight said, adjusting her sunglasses as they trotted up to one of the colorful maps dotted around the place that detailing the various exhibits. “Where would you like to be going first?”

“Uhh…” Slate arched his neck, peering closely at the map. Helpfully, there were two copies; one set at the height of quadrupeds, and one for bipeds.

“Oh! Oh! There, Everfree creatures!”

He pointed a hoof at the stylised picture of an enormous glass dome and a cartoon Manticore, then reared back onto his hind legs, ready to charge off into the crowd, only to be stopped by Starlight resting her wing on his back.

“Be calm, little star, we must be sticking together. What is our rule when we are walking through a crowded place?”

“Stay under your wing,” he groaned, reciting the often repeated rule.

After a short walk, they entered the exhibit. The zoo had spared no expense on it, with a faux dirt trail and artificial trees aplenty. To cap it off the glass panes of the structure were all tinted, plunging the interior into eternal night and making it feel like there really were actually trotting through a cursed forest.

All around them, signs dangled over the exhibits, pointing out the zoo’s exotic specimens.

As they entered, Daniel hand began to shake, only for him to jam it deep into the pocket of his pants. He was trying to hide it, but even his acting abilities had their limits and Starlight noticed it immediately.

“Is something being the matter?” she asked.

“Sorry, Star. I kinda had a bad experience in the Everfree once.” He shivered. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

“Well we must all be having our secrets,” Starlight said, patting his hip, smiling slyly. “If you would be holding my hoof, would that stop the shaking, giving you something else to think about.”

“I’m not a child,” Daniel said, sounding sulky. “I can deal with my own fears.”

“Then we will not being doing it for comfort, we will be doing it because we are wanting to.”

She tapped her hoof against his hand, and didn’t stop until he held it. The blush he wore was adorable, and if he was thinking about anything, it certainly wasn’t any past terrors experienced in the Everfree.

Walking was made a little difficult on Starlight’s part, with the loss of a hoof and the need for her to stretch up to reach his hand, but she made it work. The warm fuzzy feelings she was having made up for any awkwardness.

Slate stopped in front of fenced-off pit with the sign ‘Manticores’ hanging above it. Two of the patchwork felines lazed about on the bottom of the pit; one curled up on a rock, sleeping and purring like an overgrown mutant housecat, the other sitting in a corner and grooming itself.

“Cool…” Slate said, darting out from under Starlight’s wing to press his face up against the protective glass.

Starlight braced herself for the inevitable; the yowls, the roars, the screams of fear. Instead, nothing. One of the creatures stared at him for a second, yawned, then went back to sleep.

To Starlight’s relief, the pattern seemed to hold for the rest of the exhibit. The cragodiles outright ignored him, the Ursa Minor barely gave him a second glance. The most violent reaction they got was from the Bugbear, and that was only a confused buzz.

Really, the only creature that seemed afraid was George. Though his stoic expression stayed, Starlight could hear his teeth chattering.

By the time they exited, Starlight wasn’t nearly as nervous. Almost calm. Normally, one look at Slate was enough to frighten any animal. Even predators hated being near him.

Perhaps it was because most of the unusual nature of most Everfree predators, or it could’ve been that them being zoo animals had left them long used to seeing guests of different shapes and sizes.

“Are your feelings much better?” she asked Daniel.

“Definitely,” he said with a smile. “You can, uh, let go my hand now. Not that I didn’t like you holding it, it’s just that...”

“Do not be worrying. I am getting the idea.” Starlight said. “For being on the record, I was liking holding yours too. It was helping me stay calm when worrying about Slate.”

Slowly, she released him. Maybe, just maybe, their visit to the zoo wouldn’t be a disaster after all.

“Alright, now.” Rarity unfolded the complementary map she’d picked up from somewhere. “Where shall we head to next?”

Lenny gave the map a look. “How about the Zebrican Wildlife Exhibit? I’ve always wanted to see a giraffe.”

“Giraffe?” Slate jumped. “I wanna see a giraffe too!”

“Well then, come this way darlings.”

As their little group made their way to the exhibit, Rarity leading from the front like a general with her troops, Daniel hunched down to whisper in Starlight’s ear.

“So, do you think this will hold up?”

“I can only be hoping.” Starlight responded.

With the pace Rarity had set, any hope at delaying the inevitable was squashed as they rounded a corner, and crossed over the bridge that lead into the zebrican exhibit.

In stark contrast to the enclosed structure of the Everfree exhibit, the area they found themselves in was wide and expansive. Acacia trees were dotted around the place, while the ground underfoot was sandy and littered with shrubs.

“Lions!” Slate exclaimed, trotting up to the glass barrier that surrounded a pit.

Pressing his muzzle against the magically-hardened glass, he gazed down at awe in the felines who lounged in the sun. There was a moment where nothing happened, before one of the lions turned its head towards Slate, regarding him with its glittering eyes. It bared its teeth and hissed.

Ice formed in Starlight’s stomach.

The rest of the pack soon joined in, hissing and growling at Slate. Nearby patrons stepped back in shock, looking over to gape at the half unicorn.

Slate tilted his head. “Why are they angry?”

Two zookeepers rushed out, throwing chunks of still bloody meat at the lion’s feet in an effort to distract them.

“I think we had best be getting going.” Starlight nudged Slate away from the lion pit.

The rest of the Zebrica exhibit met with similar results. The elephants trumpeted and scattered on sight. The wildebeests took one look at Slate and ran, nearly trampling a zookeeper in their haste. And worse of all, when Slate finally got to see a giraffe, the long-necked creatures took one look at him and ran.

By the time they finally left the exhibit, Slate was crushed. His ears lay flat against his head and his tail as limp as a piece of rope.

“They’re scared of me,” Slate said, plodding over to a nearby bench and sitting himself down on it. “Why are they scared of me, Mama? I don’t wanna hurt them...”

Tears began to trickle down his cheeks, leaving dark trails on his gray coat. Starlight sat down beside him, hugging him to her side and stroking his mane, while Rarity trotted over to dab at his cheeks with a hoofkerchief.

“What are we going to be doing now?” Star lamented ears folded flat against her head.

That day supposed to be his special one with Daniel, the one he’d been promised. For it to be such a disaster...

As Slate wept, Daniel gently stroked his mane, while his other hand planted itself on his chin. He tapped his foot against the pavement, deep in thought.

“Star?” he said.

“Yes?”

“This zoo, it gets thousands of visitors each year from all over the world, and I imagine that includes thestrals.”

“I would be assuming so,” she replied, eyes never leaving her son. “My kin are not often traveling outside mother Letyucha, but there are some who receive permission to travel abroad.”

“Well, thestrals frighten animals, yet the zoo let you two in without any trouble. So, they must have a protocol for this sort of problem. Maybe you can ask one of the zookeepers.”

He pointed over at an earth pony wearing a zookeeper’s vest, reassuring a couple of worried onlookers about the lion’s behavior.

Starlight tensed. The mere mention of an authority figure brought up memories: Memories of her denfather playing puppetmaster with her and her sisters. Of being forced to smile while he tried to mold her into another ruthless tyrant.

“I… actually, Daniel, it would be better if you were to be asking them.”

“Is something wrong?” Daniel asked, a concerned look on his face.

“No, no, nothing is being wrong.” Starlight said. “I would… just be being more comfortable if you were the one who was asking. Slate is needing me to stay with him.”

Daniel pursed his lips, looking between Starlight and Slate, and back again. He didn’t look too convinced, but he nodded.

“...Okay Star, no problem. I’ll be right back.”

Lifting himself off the bench, he hurried over to the zookeeper, who turned to face Daniel with a friendly smile on his face.

The two conversed for a bit. With all of the background noise, Starlight couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, though from the way Daniel’s hands were moving about, he seemed rather calm.

After an agonizingly long wait, the zookeeper shook his hand. To Starlight’s immense confusion, Daniel then made a beeline to a souvenir stand. and purchased a pony-sized baseball cap before racing back to the bench.

“So, what is it he was saying?” Starlight asked.

At some point Slate had stopped crying, though he sniffled occasionally. He watched Daniel with hopeful eyes. If no solution was given, then Starlight knew her son’s anguish would return in full force.

“Scuse me Rarity, is there any chance I could borrow your sunglasses?”

The unicorn looked rather confused, but to her credit she slipped off the tinted frames she wore, and levitated them over to Daniel.

“Certainly darling.”

Starlight tilted her head. What was he doing? A part of her was worried Daniel had bought into Equestrian whimsy, and was only setting her son up for even more hurting. The rest of her, well… she hoped beyond hope that it would work.

“Much appreciated,” Daniel said, taking the sunglasses out of midair. “Okay Slate, wipe away those last few tears now, we don’t want to get Ms. Rarity’s glasses all wet.”

Nodding, the colt did as Daniel had said, a slight smile spreading across his face as the disguise was put in place.

“Daniel, what is it that you are—” Starlight began, just as idea clicked. “Oh, I am seeing it now. Are you really certain this will be working?”

It was a creative solution, to say the least.

“Trust me on this, Star,” Daniel said, placing a hand on Slate’s back. “Hey buddy is there some other animal you’d like to see?”

Tilting his head, Slate said nothing, staring off into space.

“Come on Slate, one more try,” Daniel urged.

”Well…” he began cautiously. “This morning, when I was listening to the radio, they said that they were showing some ponies from Earth. Can we see them?”

“Of course Slate, you’re the boss today.”

Starlight gulped. Equusian animals were one thing, but a creature from a completely different universe, there was no telling how it’d react. For all they knew, it would see Slate as a being straight out of a nightmare, sunglasses or not.

“Alright then, everypony.” Daniel said, starting down the path that lead to to the zoo’s children's exhibit. As they went, Starlight’s stomach tied itself in knots. This had to work; right then, Slate’s special day hung on a knife’s edge.

Arriving at the exhibit, it buzzed with activity. Children of all species wandered through the fenced in exhibits, petting and stroking creatures that could’ve only evolved in a totally different cosmos. The smell of hay mixed with the unmistakable musk of animal hung heavy in the air.

“Where is it?” Slate asked, eyes searching all around.

“It’s that animal there Slate,” Daniel said, pointing to the pen that the colt’s eyes must’ve passed over about five times. “That’s an Earth pony.”

When she saw the creature, Starlight wasn’t sure whether to laugh or shiver. Its features were equine enough—muzzle, mane, tail, and legs—but the resemblance was superficial at best. With its pot belly, ridiculously long muzzle, and dopey eyes, it was more a caricature of a pony than anything else. Yet, as she stared at the beast, Starlight couldn’t help but feel that she was looking at something familiar, that it was what her kind could’ve become, had evolution taken a different path.

It was eerie, to say the least.

Slate didn’t share her uneasiness. Rather he giggled at the strange-looking creature, and smiled at it widely.

“It’s so funny looking!”

“I know,” Daniel said with a chuckle. “Do you want to feed it an apple?”

Slate squeed, and Daniel retrieved an apple from a nearby zookeeper how carried a variety of fruit in a basket

“Here, give this to it,” Daniel said, passing the apple to Slate.

Starlight tensed. For her son’s sake, she hoped it would work.

Entering the pen, Slate approached the terran equine with due caution. Compared to Daniel, the terran Equine was short, but in Equestria it would’ve been taller than everypony, except perhaps Celestia. So, right then it towered of Slate.

“Hi...” the cold said, holding out the apple.

The pony took a hoofstep forwards, eyeing Slate’s little offering. It gave the fruit a tentative sniff, then bit into it with a loud, satisfying crunch. A few more crunches and the apple was gone. In return for his generosity, the pony trotted up to Slate and rubbed its muzzle against his cheek, followed by a lick.

Starlight fell flat on her rump, eyes wide. What she was witnessing, it was nothing short of miraculous. Lady Luna could have descended from the sky playing a saxophone, and she wouldn’t have been as surprised.

Something tapped her shoulder. “Star? You ok?”

Breaking out of her stupor, Starlight’s mind finally accepted the scene as real. It had been right in front of her. Literally. If not for her race’s instinctual habit of keeping their distance from animals, she just might’ve figured it out herself. But then, she knew deep down that opportunity never would’ve arisen.

“Yes,” she said, watching Slate and Lenny play with a group of terran rabbits. A smile spread across her face. “Yes, I am.”

*****

Five hours later found the group trotting out the zoo’s exit, tired and aching but in good spirits.

“Well, now that was quite the experience,” said Rarity, hiding a yawn behind her hoof. “Though I’m not sure my hooves will ever stop throbbing without a nice long trip to the spa as a peace offering.”

“I liked how the seals went ‘arf, arf arf’,” Slate said, doing a very credible imitation of one. “Oh, and when we went into the bird house!”

“Yeah,” said Daniel, adjusting his newly bought baseball cap. “Who’d have thought you were so good at bird calls. Maybe you’ll get a birdcall-making cutie mark.”

After waiting for the pedestrian light to turn green, the group crossed the road to enter into Manehatten Central Park.

“Well, everypony, it’s been grand but…” Rarity said, stifling another yawn. “I fear it is time that I must depart.”

Starlight trotted over to Slate. “Slate, I believe you should be giving Miss Rarity her glasses back.”

The colt started to slide the glasses off of his face, only for Rarity to hold up a hoof. “Oh, there’s no need, keep them! I think they suit him marvelously, far better than they did me.”

“Thanks miss Rarity!” Slate said, giving the unicorn a hug of his own.

“You’re quite welcome, darling.”

“You are being welcome to stay, do not be feeling like we are wanting you gone,” Starlight said.

“Oh no darling, it’s nothing like that. The boutique I own here requires me for some administrative work, so I have quite the early morning ahead of me. I would love to stay, but I fear I will fall into a heap if I push myself too hard.”

“Then we are promising to meet up again sometime,” Starlight replied, leaning in to give the fashionista a kiss on both cheeks, which were returned in kind.

“Oh darling, I’m sure we will. I’ve been dying to design a dress for a thestral, and I have a feeling you’d make an excellent model.”

As the rest of the group said their goodbyes, and Starlight blushed, Daniel stepped forward.

“Come on, I’ll escort you to your carriage,” he said with a wink. “Least I can do is pay the fare in advance.”

There was a pause in the conversation as Rarity and Daniel began to make their way towards the street, only resuming when they thought the others were out of earshot.

Too curious to not listen in, Starlight trained he ears onto them. For any other creature, they would’ve been inaudible, drowned out by the constant background noise. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case for thestrals.

“Why every would you feel the need to do that darling?” Rarity asked, smiling nervously. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“Rarity c’mon, I wasn’t born yesterday. You just so happened to have a season pass that allowed you to take five friends exactly? That’s kind of stretching it, even if it was very sweet. Why didn’t you just say that you were willing to pay for our tickets?”

“Well darling…” she began, pawing at the ground. “I didn’t want to make a big fuss. Forgive me for the deception, but all too often people feel guilty when I give them something. This way, everypony can walk away happy, even if I never realized things would be so… eventful.”

Daniel folded his arms and smiled. “Well I better thank you then, solving this problem with Slate is a big weight off Starlight’s mind. Just can’t help but be generous, can you?”

“Tis a curse I must bear.”

It was then that a cabbie trotted up, regarding them with a curious look.

“You looking for a ride?” he asked.

“Just me, darling,” Rarity trilled, climbing aboard.

“Well look after yourself Rarity, I’m sure we’ll see each other soon. I’ll send you a postcard about the rest of our trip if you like.”

“Sounds marvelous. Do tell that pretty marefriend of yours that I expect to make her a dress at some point.”

As Daniel’s cheeks flushed red, Rarity nudged the cabbie, and he set off.

“Tata,” she said, bidding him goodbye with a teasing smile.

Starlight couldn’t help but chuckle. That mare was quite the character, and certainly knew how to make a suitably dramatic exit.

Caught off guard, all Daniel could do was wave goodbye. Say what you wanted about Rarity, she certainly knew how to make an exit.

With hands in pockets, he returned to the remainder of their group, just in time to see Slate point out a nearby ice cream stand.

“Ooh! Ice cream! Can I have some, momma? Can I, can I, can I?”

Starlight smiled. “Certainly.”

It was his special day. If he wanted to further rot his teeth with processed sugar, then she would let him to it.

“I’ll take ‘em, Miss!” Lenny dug through his saddlebags, then snorted. “Rats, outta bits.”

“No problem.” Daniel dug through his wallet and pulled out a few copper coins. “Here, get yourself something as well. Star, you want something?”

“No thank you, I am being fine.”

Money in hoof, Lenny and Slate made a beeline for the ice cream stand, while Starlight and Daniel claimed a nearby bench, sitting side by side to drink in the scenery.

As they relaxed, George sat down on a bench across from them and pulled a book out of his saddlebag, making a show of reading whilst keeping an eye out for trouble.

All around them, fillies and colts romped around the grassy playfield. Over by the swingset, a human filly pushed a unicorn colt. By the park’s pond, an earth pony couple cuddled under a tree.

Starlight furrowed her brow. This was it. It was time to keep her promise to Twilight.

“Daniel?”

“Yes?”

Nightmother help her, she froze up. She tried to say it, to tell him her true feelings but the words just wouldn’t come forth.

“You know, Slate is looking up to you,” she managed to say, seizing the first stray thought that came to her.

“He is?” he replied, too surprised to notice Starlight’s bout of strange behavior.

“Yes.” Starlight said. “A few nights ago, when I was putting him to his sleep, he was saying that he was wishing to be like you when he is grown up.”

“Really?” Daniel raised an eyebrow. “He wants to be like me? Best you find him a good girlfriend then when he’s all grown up, one who’ll knock his head in and drag him out when he decides he needs a multi-day work extravaganza.”

“I am wishing you would stop beating yourself up about that,” she said with a sigh.

“Hey, hey it’s all done. I’m… getting there I suppose. It was supposed to be a compliment, guess I messed that up too.”

“It is… do not be worrying about it. It was a nice thought, to compliment me.”

Inside, she was a mess, and outside she wasn’t much better. Her wings kept twitching, and she couldn’t sit still.

“Star, is something wrong? You’re looking a little antsy.”

This was it, the moment to strike.

“Daniel there... is something that I have been wanting to be telling you.”

“What is it?” Daniel said, turning and looking her in the eye.

Somehow, the way he rested his arm on the back of the bench, it only made her even more flustered.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Starlight tried to force the words out. “I… I…”

Before the truth could spill out, an memory rose from the depths of her mind. A unicorn stallion, one with fur so white it could’ve been snow, and was so very handsome he thought no one would ever question him. And his voice, she would never forget that voice; like honey laced with poison.

“Star?”

With a quick shake of her head, Starlight did her best to push the memory away, but the damage had already been done.

“I am…” Starlight croaked. “I am not feeling well.”

“Do you want me to get you something?

“No. I… I am just… needing to be using the restroom.”

Before Daniel could respond, Starlight was already halfway to the nearby public toilets.

Shouldering open the door, she hurried on inside, away from his worried expressions. A matronly looking mare shot her a withering glare, but Starlight ignored her, and she promptly left with a huff.

A splash of cold water from the sink brought her back to her senses.

“Idiot” Star cursed in Letyan, water trickling down her face. “Sunscorched idiot!”

It had been the perfect opportunity, the perfect opportunity and once again she’d completely botched it.

“Are you alright?” Daniel asked, his voice echoing off the restroom walls, making Starlight jump.

“I am just tired!” Star snapped, instantly regretting it. “I apologize for that. A little cold water is all I was needing.”

There was a moment of silence. “Star, people who are tired don’t run off like that. If something is bothering you, I’m here for you.”

“No, really, I am better now.”

“Well, alright then, I understand” Daniel said with a sigh. “Looks like Slate’s back with his ice cream. Take as long as you need, I’ll keep an eye on him until you’re ready to come out.”

“Thank you. It is not being much longer,” Starlight replied.

Tearing a towel off a nearby dispenser, she quickly dried herself off. Throwing it into the overflowing wastebasket, Starlight caught sight of herself in the smeared, cracked mirror.

It struck her then, she looked utterly terrified.

Five years later and that stallion was still ruining her life.

Author's Notes:

Here it is, the chapter you've all been waiting for! Really sorry about the long wait!