The harsh neon glow of the 'Ol Rowdy bar, reflected off the wet street of lower Canterlot. An unofficial hang out of off-duty guards. Even through the thick oak doors, the murmur of a crowd echoed in the quiet nighttime streets.

Inside, most of the patrons were full guards with a splattering of new recruits who were brave enough to step into a den of veterans and their instructors. The noise from the crowd was cheerful and steady, accented by occasional outbursts of laughter or groans of pleasant dismay. A small pack of ponies were wagering on a game of hoof-darts in one corner. Placing their hard earned bits on one of two unicorns who were being blind-folded for a crazy wager. Catering to the crowd were many mares of various types and bodies, always with a smile and a wink to the guards as they refilled drinks and brought out snacks. From behind the bar, glared a grouchy old grey earth pony, a scar blinding one eye, itching for an excuse to knock some heads. It was only compounded by the fact that half the waitresses were his daughters.

Among this crowd of laughter and camaraderie, Lighthoof glared across the table at Starstep. They had both left their armor at the barracks and were waiting for their first rounds of drinks. “Star...dude.” the light tan pegasus with a brown mane began, “You are a bucking idiot.” He leaned back as Sherry, a light pink unicorn with blue mane, set their hard ciders in front of them. She give Lighthoof a wink then spun with a flick of her tail to wander off, purposely showing off her flanks to the two colts. Star ignored it, Light glanced at the pink rump, caught the bartenders glare and refocused on his fellow guard in front of him. “See, that right there, that's exactly why you got us in bucking trouble.” He tipped back a long swallow of cider.

Star sighed, scratching the back of his head, “Come off it, Lighthoof. Just because I don’t stare at every fillies rump that comes my way, doesn't mean it's my fault that I got us in trouble.”

“The buck it doesn't!” He pointed a hoof at the blue-grey pegasus, “Dude, you don't look at all, you never have since I've known you. Then when you finally get the coconuts to look, what ends up happening? Bucking Princess Celestia herself sees you staring at her sister's flank. You were eyein' that thing like an earth pony does an unploughed field.”

Star snorted in disdain, “I did not.” Light raised his eyebrow in disbelief, his muzzle buried back in his mug. “I wasn't that bad, I mean, not like Princess Celestia did anything about it...” He played with his mug, still untouched, watching the pale cider slosh about inside.

“Star, dude, she asked us off of door duty and has us now watching over bucking fish. We get to stand in the bucking sun, watching a bucking fish pond. How is that not punishment?” He drained his mug and waved it over his head to get Sherry's attention.

“Hey now, those fish are important, they're older than we are. It's not so bad. Somepony has to do it.” He frowned for a moment, then tipped back his entire mug, draining in rapid swallows, cracking it back down onto the table. For a bit, neither said a word, Starstep just staring at his empty mug, Lighthoof shaking his head sadly.

“You ever rutted in your life?” The sudden question from Lighthoof had Starstep staring back in disbelief.

“What the buck kind of question is that?” He searched his friends face for some hint.

“Just like I asked, Have. You. Ever. Rutted?” He punctuated each word with a hoof tap on the hard wood table.

Starstep's blue-grey cheeks flushed, and he found his throat dry. He couldn't meet his friend's intent stare, “I...yeah sure, uh, of course.”

Lighthoof grinned suddenly and laughed, “Uh-huh. I thought so. It's no wonder you went all googly eyed over the first piece of flank that caught your attention. Shame it had to be one of the most untouchable in the kingdom. Seriously, start a little less high, get some of that nervousness and stress off.” At that point Sherry trotted over, using her magic to sweep the two empty mugs away and set two new ones. Lighthoof turned and smiled at her, “Hey Sher, can I ask you a 'what-if' question?”

She grinned, softly chewing on gum, “Course dear, what's up?” She asked cheerfully.

Lighthoof pointed a hoof at his friend, “Would you buck a pony like Starstep here?”

The blue-grey pegasus had a hard time meeting the mare's eyes as she looked him hoof to tail, grinning like a cat with a mouse. “Well, I do love me a colt in uniform, and you're a good looking fella. Yeah sure, a few drinks and sweet words, I could see us knocking hooves.” She wiggled her nose at him cutely. Star wasn't sure she was mocking him or being serious, but he blushed hard all the same. “Aww, you're going beet red. Such a sweetheart.” She smiled back at Lighthoof, “Anyhoof colts, I have work to do, maybe I'll see you two later?” She winked and trotted away, again swaying her plump hips for the two.

“...What the buck was that? Was she serious?” Starstep glanced up at Lighthoof. The other pony was following the mare as she wandered back into the crowd, a mischievous grin upon his muzzle. As she vanished, he turned back.

“Yeah, pretty sure she was. Like I said, you need to get out there and sow your oats. It'll help you relax so your eyes aren't constantly latching onto Princess Luna's flanks. Granted...they are kind of cute.” He paused in though. “Anyhoof, Sherry there would probably give you a nice romp if you play your cards right. And if you don't, I will.” He tipped back his mug, grinning as he watched the mare out of the corner of his eye as she went about her business.

Starstep sighed, “You might be right. But Light, I just, I really have this thing for Luna.”

“Princess Luna, respect dude.” Lighthoof interrupted. “Yeah, I get it, I think many of us have had thoughts of the two. Hard not to. They're powerful, regal, beautiful, and hell, wings AND horns to tease? It's like the ultimate dream. But that's all it is dude. A pretty dream. They don't bucking need us in that way. Deal with it, find a nice mare or two to play with and maybe settle down someday.”

A long drink of his cider later, Starstep eyed his friend, “That your plan?” He was answered with a nod, “I get what your saying but...I wanna try at least, I have to.”

Lighthoof cringed then gave a soft sigh as he dug in his pouch for a few bits, and a couple more for Sherry's tip, “It's your life dude, do what you want. But I get to say 'I told you so' when things don't turn out like you're fantasizing. As for me, I'm fantasizing Sherry getting horizontal. So if you'll excuse me.” He nodded to his friend, “And cider's on me. Think on what I said, kay?” He slid out of the booth and wandered off to find the mare of his current fantasies.

A few hours and many hard ciders later, Starstep found himself wandering through the streets of Canterlot. Even in his slightly drunken state, it was easy to make one's way back to the castle barracks. In the outer hallways of the castle, he staggered along, wings tips dragging on the polished surface of the floor. It wasn't against the rules for guards to get drunk off-duty, as long as no pony caused a mess or started a fight. Though the occasional faux pas was made, the guards generally looked out for each other, helping prevent any real trouble. However at this wee hour, there was no one about, barring the occasional night guards at important junctions or doorways.

He wandered aimlessly for a while, nodding to the night-shift he knew, a drunken salute to the ones he did not, till he found himself in front of a pair of blue double doors that reached to the arched ceiling far above. The two night guards, one on each side, eyed him curiously. They remained stiff at attention but ready to spring if Starstep proved to be a threat. However, he just sat back on his haunches and stared at the massive door. It was Luna's bedchambers. It was pretty clear with the crescent moon engraved into each door face, the engravings themselves were as tall as he. So Starstep sat on the other side of the hall from the door, just staring at it's intricate engravings and crescent moons, hazily wondering what was on the other side. The guards at the doors just stared at him. Nopony spoke a word, or moved an inch. Till at last exhaustion claimed him, and the floor became a good a place as any to sleep.
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Starstep woke with a start, feeling something shaking his shoulder. He blinked and attempted to rub the blur from his eyes. He looked at the hoof, mind still starting the gears, then gazing up into the white face of the sun princess. She seemed to have a concerned, but amused smile on her face. “Wake up my little pony. Are you alright?”

Starstep jolted to his hooves, swayed a bit, then regained his stance to come to attention before the Celestia, “Princess I...um...” He glanced about, memory a bit hazy, before noting he was in front of Luna's door. He groaned inwardly, redirecting his attention to her. “My apologizes Princess, I seemed to have dozed off.”

The white alicorn giggled softly, a hoof to her muzzle. She reached forward to brush a bit of his unruly mane from his face, “No need to apologize. Do you feel well enough to walk with me? Though I know you are not on duty, I would like to speak with you.” He nodded and fell into step beside her as she slowly made her way down the long hall. He took note her usual two bodyguards were not to be seen. “Now, Starstep. I enjoy rewarding diligence and going above and beyond duty. However, I am not sure sleeping in front of my sister's door quite falls into those categories.” She glanced down at the smaller pony, noting his blush. “In a way, it can be seen as a sweet gesture, or as something else. Often it depends on one's perspective. Princess Luna found it amusing and called you her quote, “Lost little grey puppy.” She giggled at Starstep's cringe.

As they turned down another long hallway, he noticed the early morning sun peaking through the windows, casting sharp shadows and dawn-light against the opposing wall. Celestia took a deep breath and exhaled, “Starstep, I am very well aware of your...affections towards my sister. It has happened before, it will happen again. You clearly have a crush upon her, and I have no right to forbid such honest feelings." She smiled warmly at his panicked expression. "I suppose you are wondering how I know?"

The pegasus' ears fell, his cheeks heating in embarrassment as he nodded to her question. "You studied the stars with my pupil, Twilight Sparkle. She...has a habit of writing to me any and everything that happens to cross her mind." She gave a soft cheerful laugh. "It certainly gives me plenty to read before bed each night. Within some of those letters, was a tale of a young colt who dove into Starswirl and Gallopleo's star-studies. Who's fascination with the sky and the moon only expanded as he grew. In fact, to such a point you idolized and developed a crush upon my sister. Am I wrong?"

Star shook his head, spiky mane tossing about. "No, Princess. It's all true." He whispered.

A golden-shod hoof lifted his chin. "There is certainly nothing wrong with that. Many have felt as you have towards myself and my sister through the ages. It's nothing entirely new. My sister is very lovely, isn't she?" The colt nodded lightly, his eyes glancing up at the Sun-Goddess. "She's powerful and rather wealthy as well." The corners of her eyes tightened every so faintly.

A frown flickered on Star's face. "That's not why I want to get to know Princess Luna."

"Oh? Do tell my little pony."

"I...I'd like to be someone special to her, so she'd have somepony she could trust and love. To be somepony she could rely on. To do whatever I have to do to help her be happy." Determination steadied his voice and straightened his ears.

"Those could be dangerous words. Perhaps Luna is happy as she is? She always has me to rely on and to trust."

There was a long pause as the colt considered. "You're right Princess, I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to assume anything about her. I...I want to know more about her, I want to see if there's a place for me in her life. To love her because I want to. I-I really can't explain it."

Princess Celestia gave a soft laugh and smiled at him. "Feelings of affection are often hard to describe. There are some we are attracted to, because of beauty, mind, or personality, that we can never explain why." She gave a slight smirk. "Did you know that my sister also reads Twilight's letters?" The colt paled. "Oh, yes. She's quite aware of your fondness for her from an early colthood. It rather amuses her."

"So...the teasing yesterday...she knows? Oh Celestia help me." He buried his face in his hooves.

"Fret not, Starstep. This may yet be an opportunity. You've caught my sister's eye where many a suitor has not. Though, perhaps not for the reasons you intended." The colt lifted his face, blinking in disbelief at what he was hearing. "So, just in case, I shall give you advice." Starstep looked up at the Princess, eager for her words of wisdom, eyes bright in hope.

“First, your duty must have foremost priority. While most guards act very stiff and proper, it is generally for outside appearances and guests. My sister and I understand that under that armor, you are all still ponies, with hearts, and minds, free and wild. However, the moment you allow your feelings to interfere with your job, we will have a...discussion.”

Starstep could feel his ears wilt and hoof-steps soften at implied meaning of the last word. The tough motherly love side of the Sun Princess was shining through. “Secondly, should you choose to approach my sister in regards to courtship and the like, you will accept her choices on the matter. In essence, if she rebukes your desires to court her, you will return to your duties and live on. If you do not think you could handle her rejection, I suggest you either find a new line of work, or dismiss any notion of ever sharing a moment with her.” The Princess paused, causing the other pony to halt and look up at her stern gaze.

“My sister is her own pony. She can see whomever she wishes, if she wishes. I look out for Luna but in the end, her word on the matter is final.” She glanced around, noting they were still alone in the quiet early morning and leaned down till her muzzle was beside the pegasus' ear. “Third...” She whispered, “Remember that she has lived far longer than you and respect that.” She paused, leaning a little closer to softly nuzzle the smaller pony for just a moment, “I wish you luck, take my words to heart. If you ever have questions, I will help if I can.” She resumed her regal stance and nodded to Starstep, “Now then, I believe you have the day off, I suggest you make the most of it before your new shift begins.” She smiled, a twinkle in her eye as she turned and continued down the hallway, leaving the pegasus stunned.
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One long, cold shower later and a breakfast of Frosted Wheat bites, Starstep left his room and wandered down to Lighthoof's door. He raised a hoof to bang, but noticed a pink sock tucked onto the door handle. Seems his buddy was true to his word. He half wondered what it must have been like with that mare, her cute plump rump and...”No no, bad Starstep.” He grumbled to himself and shook off the fleeting images. Leaving his friend to his rest and whatever else he was indulging in, the pegasus wandered out into upper Canterlot.

During the day, the city was a bustling place, merchant shops and restaurants lined the main streets, the summits of rich homes could be seen peaking over the tops of the more utilitarian buildings. Generally, most of the guards avoided Upper Canterlot during off-duty. For one thing, most of it was far too expensive for a guard's wages. For another, it was heavily populated with the type of ponies that tended to irritate the more practical minded guard-ponies. It was an unfortunate fact you had to make your way through the upper to get down to the more common-pony level of the city, unofficially dubbed “Old Canterlot”. Being a pegasus, he could bypass it all if he wanted, but for today he thought he'd take the long way and clear his head.

He wandered for an hour, stopping occasionally to glance in windows that caught his interest, most of those related to astronomy or flying. Granted, a lot of the stores here were more focused to fashion and catering to the rich's whims, but there were tucked away stores with surprisingly broad inventory. He had even stumbled across a little adult store tucked behind a dress shop. The only reason it had even caught his attention was the storefront windows showing off a new line of wing restraints. At first he thought it was some new wing armor, till he stuck his nose to the window, reading the tiny info card under the display. He remembered his hot blush and attempted to wander away smoothly so as not to attract unwanted attention.

Ponies were not afraid to express sexuality, or even speak of it openly, they did however, try not to make other ponies uncomfortable. Some of the conversations he overheard between mares on the streets would often have his ears smoking.

Now his attention was drawn to a storefront showing off a new telescope with magically enhanced lenses. He traced each curve of the device with his eyes, appraising it's structural integrity when he caught the reflection of another pony walking up to his side. He turned his head to find himself nose to nose with an orange filly, “...Scoot?”

The other pegasus booped his nose with a hoof and laughed, “HEY, I thought that was you Star. How's it hanging?”

Starstep took a moment to look the other pegasus over. She'd grown into a fine young mare, long toned legs, stylishly short purple mane, broad, plush wings and a cute muzzle that begged to be kissed. He remembered when she'd hit a sudden growth spurt in school and her wings had doubled in size. He envied those long feathers and chuckled at his old classmate, “Scootaloo, you're looking good! What have you been up to?”

She tilted her head, seeming to also appraise the colt, “You're not looking so bad yourself, hot shot.” She grinned and ruffled her wings before nodding for him to follow her. The two of them wandered down the street, “Not much, just dropping off some supplies for the magic school.” She gave a little laugh, “Seems my 'dream' career didn't exactly go as I'd hoped.”

Taken aback, Starstep looked at the filly in concern, “Everything cool, Scoots? I know at graduation you declared you were going to be a Wonderbolt like Dash.”

She sighed a little, unfurling one of her rather massive wings to pull the other pegasus up to her side as they continued walking, “Well...seems my wish to get bigger wings was both a blessing and a curse. Sure, I can fly, but they're just too big for acrobatics. I didn't stand a chance at the try-outs.” She grinned, looking up at the sky, “But you know, it's okay. I found something a bit more fulfilling. Seems these babies...” She paused to unfurl the other wing, showing off it's impressive wingspan, “...are better suited for long distance, heavy laden flight.”

She smirked at Starstep. “I get to carry things that other pegasi can't. Things too dangerous or too large for long range teleporting. I kinda like it. I get to do something even unicorns can't. Even Dash was impressed when I carried a sleep-spelled baby hydra from Las Pegasus to Everfree.”

Starstep stopped, Scootaloo halting a few steps further to look back at him. He nodded his head at the small restaurant tucked between two dress shop. A simple sign overhead declared it 'The Cloud Nine' “Hey Scoots, hungry? My treat.” He smiled to his school friend. She returned his smile and accepted his offer.
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Scootaloo pushed back her plate and burped, blushing as she covered her muzzle. “Oops, sorry.” Her lunch companion laughed it off.

“Hey, it's cool. Glad you enjoyed it.”

She grinned before glancing around the little restaurant, “I can't believe there's a place here with REAL Cloudsdale food. I mean, there's some places I've tried around Canterlot that claim it's authentic, but bleh.”

The blue-grey colt nodded in agreement, “Yeah, funny how these little hole in the wall places end up being a hundred times better than the fancy places down the street.” He paused in thought, catching the other pony looking at him curiously, “I'm sorry I haven't been able to write to you and the gang. Royal Guard training and getting used to Canterlot, yeah, I've been distracted these last couple of years.So uh...Scoots. Besides the cargo job, anything new in your life?”

She shook her head, “Nah, just work. How about you? You made it into the guards, but ever fulfill that graduation goal?” She smirked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Rubbing the back of his head, he gave an awkward grin, “Uh, you remember that huh?”

Laughing as she pulled apart a fortune cookie, she deepened her voice to gave her best imitation of him, “I'm going to be Princess Luna's Special Somepony.” Starstep lightly banged his forehead onto the table, riding out her laughter, and couldn't help himself from chuckling as well.

With a sigh he raised his head to rest his chin on the table edge, “Yeah yeah, laugh it up. And no, I still haven't achieved that goal.” Scootaloo's laughter cut off sharply.

“Wait, you're still trying?” He nodded and she whistled softly. There was an awkward silence as Scootaloo came to grips with Starstep's odd determination.

"Two years and you're still trying to catch Princess Luna's eye.” She started, “Props to you for keeping the dream alive. Not an easy thing to do. After I failed, I dunno... life got... complicated, busy. I just let myself get buried in whatever I was doing and tried to put my old dream behind me." She smirked across the table and held up a hoof, “I always knew you were a hard-headed one, rock on Star.” The colt tapped hooves with her's, matching her smile.

Being here with his friend, after what felt like forever, stirred a memory of their past together. “Hey, Scoots...you remember that one time, um...during that party at Sweetie Belle's house?” He tilted his head at the sudden blush on Scootaloo's orange cheeks. She nodded, not meeting his gaze.
“You ever regret it?”

A long pause followed, Scootaloo looking at her hooves as she fidgeted with the fortune between them. She glanced up to meet his gaze and nodded, “Yeah...sometimes I do.” It was not exactly the answer Starstep had expected. She continued, “When we were dating as foals, I just... it was awesome. We had a lot of fun together, but Star, you were so obsessed with your sky studies and now that I think back on it, your lust for Princess Luna. Sometimes...”

She crumpled the little fortune between her hooves and sighed, looking up to meet his eyes fully, “Sometimes I wonder if we should have, well, went all the way at that party. Maybe it would have got your mind off that dream and on something more real... like me. I can't help but wonder if it was my fault. I mean, sure we're friends still, but could we have been more?” She sighed and shrugged with a sad chuckle, “It's cool though. That was years ago. I can see you've come a long way, became a guard pony. By the way I HAVE to see you in uniform.” Her wings ruffled, “And despite how you've changed, you still have that affection for the Princess. In some weird sort of way I respect that. Really, I do.”

Starstep nodded to her final words. A part of him still had feelings for the orange pegasus; what exactly those feelings were, he wasn't sure. They had a few years as a young couple but never did anything further than kissing and snuggling. After a failed attempt at going further, it devolved into just a strong friendship. Not such a bad ending. Yet, like Scootaloo suggested, perhaps it could have been more.

Shaking off the thoughts he dug out enough bits for the check and a tip and smiled to the filly across the table, “Hey, wanna see the castle? I'll even put on the armor.” Her face brightened up and she clapped her fore-hooves together excitedly.