The night has arrived, and I’m now walking to the garden with my guitar. I need some practice, after all. Also, I'll show the tiara to Luna. If she's there, of course.

Also, Moonshine was acting strangely today. I noticed how she turned her book away from me so that I couldn't see the title nor the text. It's none of my business, of course, but what is she reading? An occult book? Mein Kampf?

Well, it's her business, not mine. If she doesn't want me to know what the book is about (or that she wants to become pony Hitler. Who knows?), I won't push her. After all, I hate when people push me to reveal my secrets. They're secrets for a reason. Or multiple reasons. Whatever.

Alright, enough blabbering. I'm almost in the garden. Tonight, nothing unfortunate has happened yet. No stallions waiting to rob me, as far as I can see. That is really fortunate.

A calm autumn night. The weather has really changed through the week, too. It was rather warm in the beginning, and now it's cold. Not too cold, but not really comfortable either. I'd like to have some pants to cover my hind legs and butt. My hoodie isn't long enough to cover them, obviously, which is quite bad. I need clothes for winter, too. I know that the weather is controlled by the pegasi, but it seems that the seasons still change despite that.

Should they control the weather completely?

Anyway, here's the garden. As far as I can see, there's no one here but the creepy statues. Luna is nowhere to be seen, too.

Well, at least I can practice. I know that playing a guitar attracts girls. Maybe it'll work with Luna, huh?

So, I sat on the ground, and started playing my guitar. A few simple tunes, a few riffs... Nothing really hard or interesting. Gotta tune my guitar right, after all.

Yep, the sound's good. I also may tone down the gain a bit. Too much of it, in my opinion.

In my youth, I used to just max out everything on the amp, making the sound so distorted it didn't even sound like an instrument. It just sounded like the loud farting of an old man with gastro. I've learned from my mistakes, though. Overly heavy guitar isn't always good. Also, they're cliché heavy guitars that everyone thinks they are. I don't like overly brutal metal, otherwise I'd be covered in corpse paint and have the ability to growl "I eat fetuses" while looking brutal as fuck and using a guitar for skull cricket. No, I'm not into that, obviously.

Alright, I can still play the guitar even without my fingers. Magic is much better, actually. Longer reach, better precision. It's like an infinite amount of infinitely long arms with an infinite amount of infinitely long fingers.

...

That would be creepy, right?

But still, magic even looks good. The glow also helps with playing. If I cover something with my hand, I can’t see what's underneath it. But if I cover something with magic, I'm able to see right through it. Pretty useful trick. Also—

"What are you playing?"

I turn around and see Luna. She's in her usual royal... clothes. If they can be called clothes in the first place.

Also, guitar players indeed attract girls. Even a few thousand year old ruler fell for it.

*insert YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAH here*

Also, I need a pair of shades that have "deal with it" written all over them.

Barely containing my laughter, I replied: "A guitar."

Yeah, laughing at my own joke... Nothing wrong with it, though. If a joke is funny to at least the joke teller, it isn't a bad joke, right?

"I've never heard a guitar that sounds like yours." Luna sat near me, looking at the guitar.

"It's actually a distorted guitar. It sounds different from acoustic ones, sure, but its unique sound is used in a few different genres." I explained. "I haven't seen nor heard them here, so, I had to make one for myself.

"Oh, and before I forget." I opened my saddlebag and pulled out the tiara. "I found this in the old castle in the Everfree. Do you know anything about it?"

Luna grabbed the tiara and brought it closer to her.

"I do." she nodded. "It's mine, in fact." she looked at me. "It was given to me during my coronation. It’s also a pathfinder, as far as I remember. I had hard time navigating through the summer palace. Canterlot Castle is less of a maze than the one in the Everfree."

"Well, if it means that much to you, keep it." I told her.

"Well..." Luna glanced at the tiara, and then back at me. "I was never attached to such things. You can keep it." she returned the tiara to me. "Also, what were you doing in the castle? It’s dangerous there."

"Blueblood offered me an adventure." I replied. After seeing a look of confusion from her, I added: "Blueblood Junior."

"Oh." Luna blinked. "So... The son of a noble wanted to explore an old and dusty castle that is deep inside a dangerous forest?"

"He's not the snobbish type." I answered. "He's a nice guy, actually."

"He better not end up like Blueblood Senior." Luna snorted. "Being a prince really went to his head."

"Is he an alicorn?" I asked. Well, princes are alicorns, right?

"No, he's not. I understand why you ask, but everything is a little more complicated than you think." Luna replied. "The simplified version: not every prince is an alicorn, but all alicorns are princess. Not counting the exception to the rule — you."

"Alright..." I said. Well, I should also ask a few questions that bugged me for some time. "Luna, tell me... How does it feel — to live for so long?"

"Hmmm..." she tapped her chin. "It's not all that different from a shorter life. The only difference is that you never get old. Alicorns are ageless, if you're searching for the right word. Otherwise, our lives aren’t really that different from others'. We befriend, we love..." she sighed. "And we watch our dear ones get old and die. But that can happen even if you're not an alicorn."

"And, um, is such a life... good?" I asked warily.

"It depends on how you spend it." Luna answered. "There were once greedy and arrogant alicorns, who were corrupted by their power. Their lives were perfect — they had everything they could ever want. Except for things that can never be bought. Friendship and love, for example."

"And what happened to those alicorns? Where are the others?" I asked.

"Times weren't as calm as they are nowadays. Our past was rather dark... Most alicorns ended up being killed, unfortunately. Some ponies even believed that by killing an alicorn, you become one." she frowned, and then spat. "Ugh, disgusting... But my sister and I did our best — we eradicated these beliefs, and many other dangerous things that corrupted our kind. Cults, religion... Everything like that was destroyed, remaining only in the history books and fiction.

"But some alicorns weren't killed. Perhaps, some of them still hide in the unreachable places. Maybe there's an entire population of alicorns hidden somewhere, out of our sight."

Good thing I'm not there, in the past. I got extremely lucky, that's for sure.

"And..." I intend to ask another question. "How is it — being a princess?" I'm curious, I think I should know how Luna deals with everything.

"It's… difficult." she replied. "There is a lot of work that must be done. You must listen to even the stupidest of proposals, or problems. A great deal of self-control is needed, otherwise you'll just explode and lash out at anypony nearby. But nopony should hold it in either — I did, and I turned into Nightmare Moon. I bottled it all up inside until I was choking on the feeling that everything was too hard to bear... So, maybe you made a wise choice by not becoming a prince."

I fear being a prince even more now. Especially after all the things Luna's just said. I wouldn't hold on for long before doing something stupid.

"So," Luna said. "Is there anything else you want to ask me? Don't be afraid. A friend in need is a friend indeed, as the wise ones say. I can help you, Flame."

"I'm just... even more terrified of being a prince than before." I admitted. "And... well, I think I'm very lucky to end up here and not in those times you mentioned."

"I understand your fear." she nodded. "I used to have it myself. When I became an alicorn, I was really confused, I was panicking. And I wish this on no-one."

"Then why have the tradition that alicorns becoming rulers?" I asked. I think this is a really logical question to ask.

"My sister and I think we should refrain from enforcing such a tradition nowadays." Luna answered. "Instead, I think we should do as was done with you — we should always offer a choice. I really started considering that after your nature was revealed."

"Did you tell your sister anything about me?" I asked.

"No, I just brought up the subject." she shook her head. "Alicorns tend to have thoughts popping up out of nowhere in particular."

Was I an alicorn all my life? Huh, that would be weird as fuck.

"I won't tell anyone about you unless you want me to." she told me. "So, any other questions?"

"I... I think that is it, for now." I replied. "Um, we could just... stay here for a little while. I'm don’t feel like going home yet."

Well... First, it was about my guitar. And then, it all went to the alicorn problem.

I think I just need to relax. Luna is here, I have nothing to fear. Well, she hasn't broken my trust in her yet... I don't think she will. I hope so.

In the morning.

After spending the whole night in the garden with Luna, basically just counting the stars both on the sky and in her mane, I went home at the break of dawn.

It's interesting how Luna is always in the garden at night since I moved here. I remember her telling me she likes the countryside more than cities. Oh well, she might be just watching over me so that I don't fuck up. Honestly, I don't know how to feel about it. Maybe I should be thankful.

Anyway, the streets are still rather empty, since it's about five thirty in the morning. A really quiet scene this one. Quiet and peaceful... This is the type of morning I like.

I was walking back to the apartment. It’s become even colder than before. Well, it's autumn, what did I expect? September ends soon, and that means it'll be one third into autumn.

So, what do I have today... History, Math, Geography, and Commonlang, as far as I can remember. Did I do my homework for them? When I get back to the apartment, I'm gonna check it.

Maybe I shouldn't bother so much about that. I know Math and English rather well. Geography isn't a big problem either. The only problem I have is with the history. I still don't know much except for the bits and pieces I've learned from studying at school and by talking with Luna.

Maybe I should really consider reading more books in my free time? Historical books, novels, something like that. Maybe even poetry... No, not poetry. I'm not into that. I'm more into singing... which isn't too far from poetry. Nah, it's different.

Also, I've never sung for anyone aside from that one time when I had to prove I can play a guitar without having any sort of special mark. Though, it might've looked silly back then, and I feel some embarrassment. I'm too shy to sing when someone watches. I just get really uncomfortable. I mean, I can do it, but it's still somewhat... not good.

Anyway, I am comfortable with singing or saying something I normally wouldn't only if my face is concealed with at least a pair of shades. It really helps me when my eyes aren't visible.

Alright, here's the hostel. Time to check everything.

***

Well, I've just checked, and... Nothing is done. It's almost six in the morning. Well, it seems I'm not getting much sleep tonight, am I? I better not fall asleep at school, that would be embarrassing. I remember those times when it used to have Literature... I slept through almost all of it. I barely had time for anything, am I to blame for that?

Moonshine is sleeping on her bed, by the way. Yeah, she has nothing to really worry about. Unlike me...

Alright, time to do the homework.

***

It’s taken me half an hour to complete everything. Thankfully, this is still the first grade, which means I'm not getting a fuckton of crap to do anytime soon.

Well, not even a year has passed. Just a few months, which isn't that long. But still, it feels like ages. Getting used to a new body, a new life... Really, everything has changed a freaking lot. Just a few months ago, I was still a human. Now, I’m a pony. Who would've thought? I didn't even know magic exists! If I had a chance to go back in time, my past self would... Huh, I would believe me, I think. After all, a future copy of myself appearing before... me... yeah, I would believe whatever crap I would tell myself.

Now, it's all confusing with those past me and present me. Is past me a he or still me? Huh, it’s an interesting subject to think about.

But having another childhood... That will take a long time. Before I am eighteen, ten years will pass. That is a lot of time. Good thing I wasn't made to relive an additional ten years. That would be even longer.

Anyway... What do I do now? I still have a lot of time before school begins.

Hm... Maybe I should think about important stuff? Like, what will I do when I grow up? Well, even if it is a long time before that happens, it'll still be useful to know what to do.

When I was young, I didn't think much about it. I ended up getting a crappy job after that, not to mention having a lot less free time than I wanted. Not that my school prepared me for adulthood.

It never taught me about laws, how they work; it never gave me knowledge about how to find a decent job and how not to get fooled. Well, at least I know how to solve lots of different equations that I'll never need in real life. Duh.

Alright, so what do I want? I don't want to join either the medics nor the police nor anything else like that. I'm not made for those jobs. Neither will I become a teacher. Having a bunch of kids to watch over? No, fuck it. So, what do I want? Maybe become a musician and invent rock, or metal? Hm, that’s an idea. But what will I play? Maybe I should bring a band from the Earth here? That isn't a bad idea, considering how I suck at creating themes and writing lyrics.

Maybe that'll count as copyright violation, but who cares here? No one knows that the bands even exist.

So, making revolution in music sounds awesome. Just imagine the bands ponies will create after being influenced by what I'll show them!

The problem is, I must come up with something that is both original and maybe even relatable for ponies. I should learn some history, who knows what I’ll find there... Maybe something really interesting that will make ponies interested in the genre. I must find something... shocking, maybe? Something that will be so different from the usual music that it will strike hard into their hearts, and leave a noticeable mark?

Still, there are a lot of years before I can even create a teenage garage band. Yeah... That’s bad. But still, nothing keeps me from finding information and using it to figure out which human bands will work the best here.

After school, I'm going to do some research about it.

Author's Notes:

Well, the update took me a really long time. It was not about the lack of inspiration, no. This damn college takes a lot of my time! I even thought of exiting it to start making money on the art I make, but I found out I must have education I'm receiving. Not to mention that I can't get money from my work because I'm seventeen. Ugh, it's so frustrating! Why not make sixteen? It's all those stupid numbers that don't take into account that all people are different!

I think I regret my choice in education. My choice was made like "hey, I might need that", but it turned out that I'm not into that but I can't quit. I want to spend my time I spend in college to create what I want and like, but...

I need to find a solution. Do any of you, readers, have any useful advice?