After doing my homework, I rested on the bed, thinking. Tonight, I'm going to the spa again to relieve my stress. Never knew talking about laws could make me feel so down... Though, they touched some very sensitive topics.

As much as I want to say that I don't care about the world, it would be lying to do so. Bad stuff that happens throughout the globe certainly had influence on me. How do humans fare now? What are they doing? Are there any wars, conflicts?

There is another reason why I don't want to go back to Earth. What if I find it in ruins, irradiated and utterly destroyed? It will... leave a mark on me. I just... I sometimes feel that I should do good to make the world better. But... it's very difficult to maintain this, uh, view. People that hurt me in the past, they sometimes outweigh those who did good to me. Or maybe I just made myself think so? It's really unclear what is true.

I... I admit I need someone's comfort. And... No, I won't go to the spa. As good as it is, I think I should focus more on those who are closer to me.

Moonshine. I, uh... I can talk with her about... everything.

An idea appeared inside my head.

I need to make an entirely honest conversation with her. Lift some weight off my chest, relieve myself, tell her how I feel about things. And learn what she thinks as well.

We love each-other, there mustn't be secrets between us. We must understand each-other. I believe it is what a healthy relationship should be. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know, but... that's how I feel.

At that moment, Moonshine was sitting on her bed, drinking some apple juice after completing her own homework. Here it goes...

"Moon," I called her. She turned to me with a questioning look on her face. "Hey, I'm, um... I want to talk to you."

"About what?" she asked.

"Well..." I started nervously. "I want us to have an... entirely honest, uh, conversation." so damn awkward... "I just... I suppose..." where are words I need? "We just need to be completely, uh, honest with each-other, right?"

"I think so." Moonshine nodded. "I'm in. I really want to know more about you."

I'm glad she agreed. Otherwise, it'd be pretty awkward and... Well, let's not think about it.

"Um..." she nervously cleared her throat. "How do you feel?"

Not a bad question to start our conversation with.

"Not that good." I admitted. "I've been thinking about the world I left." I began. "And all bad things that happened and I've no doubt continue happening there. Uh... I came to a realization that I still care about the world. No, both worlds. Especially the one so peaceful as Equestria." I nervously rubbed my legs together. "I just fear... I fear something bad might happen. To this world, city... us. I've not been as happy as I am now , and I'm really afraid of losing everything I've recently gotten. I just..." I sighed, trying to find accurate words to describe my situation.

"Flame, it's alright. I feel that way, too." Moonshine moved closer to me. "When I was kicked out of my home..." her ears fell. "I felt like the world betrayed me. I didn't know what to do, where to go, I was scared and afraid. And... Until my grandpa found me, I was so, um, unhappy, so... sad."

I listened closely without interrupting.

"But he showed me how beautiful, how, uh, good the world is." Moonshine continued. "Ever since he took me in, I, um, was so, um, happy. Though, I... I had a problem of communicating with other ponies. I still do..." she chuckled nervously. "I, uh, feared they would treat me like my parents did... But I still wanted to do something good. My grandpa told me that if you do good, it returns to you someday."

Sometimes, yes...

"But when he passed away, I..." she kept talking. "I broke. I cried and cried... You saw it, too." she blushed in slight embarrassment. "I remember how you comforted me when it seemed nopony would." she smiled slightly. "It was when I first felt something towards you. Your kindness and compassion left a mark deep inside my soul." she put her hoof on her chest. "And... you did good for the sake of it, right?"

"Yes, I did." I nodded. "I would never let a friend of mine cry. And, even if I didn't know you much back then, I, um, could see you needed someone to be by your side."

"Yeah... I was alone." she admitted. "I'm thankful for what you did for me." she looked away, blushing. "And... It led to something more..."

"Indeed." I smiled at her. "At first, I was unsure of how I felt towards you. It was... strange, to say the least. I had to restrict myself out of fear that I'll inflict harm upon you, knowingly or not." I sighed, and yet my smile remained. "But I found it inside myself, a burning desire to love, and... here we are."

"I'm happy about this. You?"

"Of course, Moony." I told her. "However cheesy it might sound, you have dramatically changed my life and became a part of it." not that the whole human-turned-godlike-pony thing doesn't matter, but finding love is something else entirely and yet much more important.

"And you became a part of mine, too." she smiled softly. "But before it happened, I feared that I might step over the line someday, and... we won't be together." she fidgeted in place nervously. I think she's going to ask me something she doesn't really want to. "Tell me... have you ever felt like shouting at me?"

"...No, I have never felt that way." I shook my head. "I was just... confused and uncertain about, um, all of this. But I was never angry at you. I just couldn't."

And it's true. She never did something bad. At least nothing too bad. And when she did, it wasn't to cause me harm. Besides, she was young. She still is, and everyone makes mistakes during their lives. I don't think there are any exceptions.

"Thank you." a barely noticeable silent sigh of relief escaped her lips. "Speaking about love... Have you ever loved anyone before me?" she looked me in the eyes. No, there isn't jealousy in them, it's just pure interest.

"I have, but it didn't work out from the beginning." I replied. "And... I guess it's partly my fault." I could've done better than that, truly. I was mostly a horny teenager, and... Well, it was awkward, to say the least. I did some stupid things to gain attention, all that. I don't want to mention it either.

"How is that possible? You're kind, smart, you know how to do a lot of stuff, and you're handsome..." Moonshine protested, blushing at the last word. "I, um, can't see how you couldn't get her, whoever she was."

"It was way back when I was fourteen. About eight years ago, that is" I explained. "I wasn't that smart or talented at that time. And handsome? Nah, certainly not." I shook my head. I still remember my terrible acne that I don't want to face ever again.

"You... never loved anyone else since then?" Moonshine asked me warily.

"No..." I replied slowly. "It was just... Uh, I felt like... Ugh, it's hard to describe!" I put my hoof to my forehead and tapped slightly. "Well, I felt... bad. Sad, even. Maybe depressed..." even now I have trouble with how I felt and feel about certain things. "I just didn't think that anyone would love me. I guess it was part of my, um, teenage mind, and I'm not really proud of that part of my life." I scratched the back of my neck in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry you felt so bad." Moonshine hugged me tightly. "Do you feel better now?"

"Much, thanks to you." a smile touched my lips. "And still, I was very confused about what was, um, going on between us." I admitted. We parted and sat across each-other. "It's just... I've never been loved before."

"You are now." she kissed me on the cheek. "Flame, you make me, um, very happy... I can't even put it in words." she admitted, her blush increasing. "I just... I feel good whenever you are around. I know I can turn to you if I feel bad. You can turn to me, too." she looked at her hooves. "I want to ask you... Have you ever dreamt about me?" she looked up.

Hm... I don't really remember. Have I?

"I don't know... I rarely have any dreams." I said. "Maybe I had, but... I don't remember my dreams much. And you? Have you ever dreamt about me?"

For some reason, her face heated up a lot.

"Um, yes..." she said quietly.

"And what were those dreams about?" I asked. I can guess it was lewd. Or not. Well, it's just my imagination.

"Um..." Moonshine looked anywhere but not at me. "I dreamed about you having, um... Uh..."

"Sex?" I suggested, and her cheeks almost literally burst in flames. I've never seen her face so red before.

At least it was the right word I suggested. If it wasn't... well, there would be embarrassment.

"Yeah... with other, um, mares." she said.

...

...

Well...

Damn me to hell if it isn't perverted. Though, this, um, fetish isn't a bad one. At least she's not into any gross stuff.

It also explains a faint sweet scent I often smell in the mornings.

"Um, whom did I... um..." I don't really want to say 'fuck'. "Well, you know..."

"..." Moonshine seems to understand that she shouldn't have told me about her fantasies. After some hesitation, she spoke again. "A couple of my friends..." Oh, alright. I should've guessed. "Night Breeze..." Makes sense. Kind of. "And, um... princess Luna." ...Not bad. Though, it must've been awkwardly uncomfortable for me since Luna is bigger than me.

"That's a wide variety." I chuckled, eliciting a giggle from her.

"Would you do it with, um, any of them?" she asked me. "As in... really?"

Well, this conversation has just gone sexual. Not that I complain or mind it, but I don't want to pop a boner in front of Moonshine. Not having any underwear is sometimes a negative side of being a pony.

"Maybe... It depends." I replied, glancing sideways.

"And... with me?" she asked with... hope? Oh my...

"If you want." I replied. I think I'll regret this, but... It seems she's grown up enough for that sort of fun.

These pony years... They still confuse me. I guess it is okay for her to have such fantasies. I don't really remember what desires I had when I was ten. Did I even have any?

However, I believe it is okay for her to want sex with me. Taking into account that aging stuff and how Equestria treats sex, of course. Would a young girl confess her love for me when I was still human, I would think it's a trick from police to catch pedophiles. And I, well, I doubt I would love that girl back. It would be creepy if I did.

In this situation, however, it is acceptable since I'm a child again and, well, laws of both nature and country permit. Besides, it is a unique situation. I don't think any laws are able to regulate it.

"Um, okay... Good to know that, uh, you want me..." she giggled girlishly.

...

Does it mean she wants it? Like, having sex with me? Definitely. At least I think so... Ugh. Doing it right now? Certainly not. I doubt she's ready. She's too shy to openly agree to this. Besides... Well, I don't know.

We sat there in awkward silence for some time. I guess it was expected because we've just talked about sex. Yeah...

At least we were honest with each-other. I feel much better now.

"Do you wanna play Heroes?" I asked her.

"I wouldn't mind." she replied, a hint of a happy smile appearing on her face as her blush subsided.

A session of gaming will certainly be good for the two of us.

Some time later, the two of us went to bed to sleep.

This time, I felt a presence in my dreams. It's Luna, I suppose. Who else can it be?

It's really easy for me to determine if I'm sleeping or dream-walking.

"Good night, dear Flame." I was greeted by Luna as she appeared in front of me.

"Hello, Luna." I smiled at her. It's always good to see her.

I wonder if Moonshine is watching the dream where Luna and I do naughty stuff. It would be hilariously awkward if Luna sees that.

"It is time I ask for your assistance." she said. "It's not an urgent matter, but still a rather important one for many ponies, including me."

I'm intrigued. I nodded.

"The situation is — one of the performers, the one I told you about a long time ago, is in need of a specific player of musical instruments. I'm talking about the mare who performs dark orchestral music, the one I like very much." Luna explained. "One of their members have gotten ill. Now, they are in a dire need of an organist."

I'm really interested in this!

"I suggested I could provide them with one. You." Luna said. "I've looked at the music sheet, and it is rather simple, at least your part. I know you're not a professional organist but still a very good one nonetheless. Are you willing to partake in a performance that takes place next week?"

"Why not?" I replied. If I want to start my musical career, I might as well start there. Besides, I'm yet to hear what that performance group (I don't think I can call it a band) has. "I'd love to take part in that." I paused. There is an idea in my head. "But on one condition."

"What is it?" Luna inquired with interest.

"I need a ticket to the first row for my very special someone." I said.

Why not? Moonshine will certainly love to see me performing on stage. Besides, some practice won't hurt. Also, I will gain a bit of recognition which will certainly help me in the future.

"It can be arranged." Luna nodded, a smile on her face. "You can get acquainted with the group tonight. Their rehearsal starts in two hours. It takes place at your previous school in the concert hall. You can enter there by the code phrase — Sanguine Sancta."

"Holy Blood?" I replied. Well, I know Latin, there wasn't a problem with translating it.

"Ah, I think some explanations are in order." Luna said. "The group calls themselves Nox Obscura. Its works are based on old novels of the past. Sometimes, those novels are surprisingly disturbing to most.

"Their latest performances are focused on a very interesting novel that was written about one and a half thousand years ago. In that fictional universe created by the author, there is a country ruled by two alicorns."

"Like Equestria?" I asked.

"There are some similarities, yes." Luna nodded. "So, those two alicorns were the king and the queen. The citizens of the country held a disturbing belief... They believed that blood was a cure to all sicknesses. There is some logic behind that statement since blood is essentially life, however.

"The two alicorns decided to exploit that belief. They proclaimed that their blood is the ultimate cure to everything. That their royal blood is Holy, blessed by the Higher Powers. I must mention that even back then, at the times when the novel was written, religion was still strong and alicorns were believed to be gods. It wasn't exactly hard for those two to convince the population.

"So, the alicorns founded the Red Church that specialized in blood healing. Royal blood in itself is just that — blood without anything special. But if certain spells are applied to it or if it's mixed with special ingredients... It may become a medicine."

It's not that disturbing, actually. I so happened to read a novel of H.P. Lovecraft. That was disturbing. Blood stuff? Not so much. At least yet.

"However, they used very little of blood, a few drops per 'healing elixir', as they called it." she continued. "For some time, the Red Church and the alicorns prospered as the fame of their blood healing spread all over the world. People came to their capital city in search of a cure. And it worked... But not for too long."

Well, maybe healing with blood is disturbing. I suppose that it is, at least by pony standards.

"Nopony knew what happened: was it a backfiring spell or a wrong ingredient, but the elixir started turning ponies into monstrous, blood-thirsty beasts."

Okay, I take my words back. It is disturbing to a certain degree. If I ever see a peaceful pony becoming a moster... I suppose I will go crazy. I just can't imagine them being, uh, too evil.

"It caused the fall of the country. The alicorns disappeared without a trace, more and more ponies turned into beasts, and chaos erupted. However, there is no continuation — the author died of heart attack before he could start on the next book of the series."

Considering what he was writing about, no surprise.

"However, Nox Obscura took it upon themselves to continue the story in their own way. They combined some elements from author's novels, added good orchestral music into the mix, and released it to public. While not many would admit it, dark themes and disturbing content always draws a lot of ponies to it."

"Wait a minute." I said. "Can you tell me who is the author of the novel?" if my suspicions are correct...

"Love Craft."

...

...

Can't say I'm surprised.

"Very ironic how he didn't write about love much." Luna chuckled. "As far as I know, he was mentally unstable. Though, the rest is history. He never wrote a biography of himself, and he was a very paranoid stallion — there are only a few documents that feature him."

Love... Craft... It does sound like a pony name.

"So, the group will be waiting for you. I'll send them a letter." Luna told me. "Good luck. I'm looking forward to your performance."