(A foreword: Some of the clop you're about to read has fetishes in them that some may not understand. While you may or may not find them appealing, try to think about how it pertains to the character's inner psyche. Anyhoof, enjoy.)

Watching through the one-way enchanted wall, Starstep could only stare in stunned disbelief. On the other side of the semi-transparent stone, Lighthoof was trotting across the room towards Celestia, who was reclined out, somewhat seductively on a padded writing bench. The tan pegasus met the white alicorn's outstretched hooves and allowed his head to be pulled to the regal mare's chest. He nuzzled at her soft coat, ruffling it with his nose in a gesture of affection.

“Hmm...this is most unexpected.” Luna stated as she and Star watched side by side. The blue alicorn turned to her colt and nosed him in the ear, the sudden coolness causing the pony to jolt. She giggled softly. “Enjoying thyself?”

“Oh um...just...surprised. I mean...” He glanced to the Princess for a moment before his eyes wandered back to the sight of his friend and the Sun-Goddess cuddling and kissing. “Light loves Celestia, loves you both. But...I didn't think he loved her like...like this.” He gestured at the other ponies with a hoof.

“I must agree. Tis most...sudden. I fear her motives are not as she states.” She hesitated. “Perhaps I should intervene.”

“Wait, Luna. I'm sure Light knows what he's getting into. I may be oblivious to what's actually going on, but I know that look he has. He's doing what he thinks he needs to do.”

The blue alicorn smirked. “Art thou saying he is accepting mine sister's offer as though it is his duty? I cannot say that is very romantic.” She gave a soft laugh as her horn began to glow. “Very well, I shalt remove the enchantment and confront Tia later.”

“Erm...can...can we wait a bit?” Star glanced up at Luna nervously.

There was a pause while she tilted her head at the request. Then she laughed, hugging the colt to her side with her wing. “Oh-ho. It dost appear thou hath a slight exhibitionist streak within thou.”

“It-it's not like that Princ-Luna.” Star stuttered. “I'm just curious is all.”

The alicorn raised an eyebrow, amused smile upon her lips. “What is it thou desires to learn from watching these two?”

Star tapped his fore-hooves together nervously as he noticed Lighthoof nibbling down the long white neck of the Sun-Princess. “Erm...how to...you know...with a bigger pony. Um...*cough*”

“What thou seeketh is knowledge to assist in pleasing an alicorn. To be more precise, me. Am I correct?” Her mischievous grin only widened as the pegasus nodded, his blue-grey cheeks flushed. Luna gave a soft giggle as her wingtips traced Star's back. “I suppose I can leave the spell up for a while. Thou dost owe her for peeking in on thy time with Scootaloo in the gardens.” She caught the colt's gaze, smiling though her eyes promised retribution if he disobeyed her. “Know that I wilst not relieve thy discomfort from watching such a performance. Thou art on thy own.”

Star nodded quickly under that intense gaze. “Of course Prin-Luna. I wouldn't ask you to-”

The blue alicorn gasped in mock disbelief. “Thou wouldst not seek out thy Princess to cure thy suffering? The one thou sayth thou loves?”

“I would, I mean, I want to er, I mean...” He buried his head under his hooves while Luna laughed playfully.

“Well, watch the show. Perhaps thou wilst learn something to assist in thy pleasing of thy Princess.” She nuzzled at his ear and gave it a teasing nibble before settling her head across her fore-hooves and watching with half-interest. Beside her, Star turned his full attention to the nuzzling, kissing ponies on the other side of the translucent stone wall, feeling his wings creep up at the display.

Lighthoof nibbled ever so lightly up the throat of the white alicorn, hearing her gasp while arcing back her head to his gentle mouth. He nuzzled under her chin with his fore-hooves now wrapped around her elegant neck, belly rubbing against her chest. She curled one long limb around his back, pulling him closer, her warm loving smile deepening.

“Ahhh” The Sun-Goddess gasped as the Pegasus kissed around the side of her head to where her flowing pastel mane grew along the back of her neck. She caressed the affectionate colt's cheek, pausing his mouth long enough to share a smile with him. “Do with me as you wish. However, I have duties to attend in a few hours, so try not to leave me too tied up.” She lightly bumped foreheads with the smaller pony. “Is that acceptable?” Light nodded, ruffling his fur and mane against hers.

The tan pegasus took one of Celestia's plush wings in his mouth and pulled her up from the bench. She laughed merrily, following his lead, and climbed onto the bed at his insistence. With a warm inviting smile, she lounged out on the white silk sheets, caressing the fabric with one of her golden shod hooves. Lighthoof bound up on the large bed, slipping up beside the much larger pony and nuzzled up along her neck. She wrapped her long legs around him, clutching the pony tight to her chest and belly, giving a soft noise of contentment.

“Are you sure, Princess? I mean...this is all kinda-” She hushed his doubts with a hoof to his lips.

“Shhh, it's ok, dear. Sometimes, it's fun not to be in charge for once. Besides, I did say it was a reward, did I not?” She leaned down to kiss him on the forehead.

“Well...I guess I can see that.” He grinned before catching her bottom lip in his, causing her to blush and flicker her ears. He released her lip then slipped from her long-limbed grasp, nosing at her side to urge her onto her back. Celestia gave a playful laugh as she looked down her curved body at the colt while he grinned up at her, hooves straddling the Princess's larger form, her hind-legs hugging his flanks while his fore-hooves rested on each side of her chest. When he leaned down to kiss at the base of her throat she gave a little sound of pleasure, letting her head roll to the side and closing her eyes. Lighthoof took it as a sign of approval, kissing down her pony chest, nuzzling into her silky fur, inhaling deeply the faint scent of vanilla from her coat. She reached up with her fore-legs to stroke the edges of his aroused wings, causing the pegasus to jolt, then shudder as the golden slippers ran down the primaries. “Ahhh...Princess...what...” He cut off as she dug her hooves into the largest of the primary feathers, fondling the plumage and teasing the flesh beneath with incredible gentleness. He arched his back to press his wing towards the loving hooves, but the Princess had other plans, using the leverage to pull him tight against her chest. He looked up her long neck to find her smiling down at him, slightly mischievously for but a moment, then the sly look slipped and she sighed.

“Oh...I'm doing it again. I'm sorry, my little pony.” She released his wings and ran her hooves up his neck to caress his cheeks. “It's...hard to let someone else lead when you're so used to it. Please, continue.” The colt shook off his slight daze from the wing massaging and smiled warmly to the white alicorn.

“It's ok, Princess.” He reassured her while kissing along her throat, his body responding to her closeness, rump wiggling back and forth to press his sheath against her belly. With an internal sigh of acceptance, he stood himself back up off her very warm body. Down his head went again, kissing lower along her chest and then the slight curve of her delicate belly. The alicorn wiggled her rump against the sheets as he did, then gave a loud gasp when his lips brushed one of her mare teats. Surprised at her sudden noise, the colt hesitated, tilting his head in consideration, then pinned the little nub between his lips while his tongue tip flickered at it.

The result was immediate, Celestia moaned, her hind-legs pressing hard against Lighthoof's sides. He released it, running his pony tongue across it broadly, then the other, dampening all the fur around the nipples before blowing cool air on the areas. The alicorn stiffened, holding her breath till he relented, then gasped out, shivering. Lighthoof pondered it for a moment as he lifted his head to meet Celestia's loving eyes. “Erm...I uh...dated a mare once. She'd just had a foal and she acted the same way when I played with her nipples.”

Celestia gave a light laugh, reaching down to stroke Light's mane. “Well, even Princesses have fantasies.”

“Fantasies?” Lighthoof asked as he nuzzled at her belly and damp teats. She moaned softly till she grasped his head to hold his attention.

“Yes. Even Lu-Lu has her kinks. We've had a very long time to learn about ourselves and what we enjoy.”

Meeting her light magenta eyes, he could see her a bit of hopefulness within them. “Ok, what's one of your fantasies, Princess? I swear I'll never tell a soul.”

She smiled. “It would be wrong of me to ask. This is your reward after-all. Not mine.”

“No, I insist. Tell me, and if I can, I will. It'd be a reward for me to see you happy.”

The alicorn paused, regal eyes searching his as she caressed his cheek. At last, a warm comforting smile grazed her regal muzzle. “Very well. If that's what you want.” She released his head, curling her fore-hooves to her chest. For a moment, the larger, elegant Sun-Goddess seemed vulnerable and shy. “For reasons I will not go into, I have never had a foal. Yet...I've always imagined how wonderful it must feel to nurse one.” She smiled at him, a bit of hope in her eyes.

Lighthoof pondered her words. This was the most open and unsure he'd ever seen the Princess. Doubt and hesitation flickered across his face for but a moment. Then, with a shrug of acceptance, he returned her hopeful smile. “Alright, I think I know what you want. That mare I was with liked it too, so I've uh...done it before.” He looked down at her damp nipples. “But uh...you're kinda not, you know...I can go through the motions if that's all you want.”

The Princess laughed warmly pulling his head up to give him a sweet kiss. “Magic, Lighthoof, can solve many things. Remember, this is between us.” The tan pegasus nodded firmly as her horn began to glow. Before his eyes, the flesh under the pair of nipples rose slightly and became more perked. She said not another word but stroked his ear while the other hoof pressed his head towards her belly.

On the other side of the wall, Starstep blinked in surprise, gasping in amazement as Lighthoof leaned down to wrap his lips around Celestia's reddened teat and began to suckle. He turned to Luna who was watching him with a rather amused expression upon her face. “He...but she...is...” He shook his head to sort his thoughts. “Can she do that?”

Luna laughed. “She just did, dear.”

“Light sure does seem pretty cool about the whole thing.”

The blue alicorn smirked. “Wouldst thou like to try?”

Star blinked, eyes going wide. “Me...and you?”

Another laugh and she gently prodded him with her horn. “I can turn thou into a mare and we can see how much thou enjoys it.” She laughed louder at his face going slightly pale. “Worry not, dear Star. I liketh thou how thou art.”

Slightly reassured, Star tried to ignore Luna's mischievous smirk. “Still...it reminds me just how much more experienced Light is than me. He seems so much more open and willing to do unusual things for others pleasure.” He glanced at the sleek alicorn at his side. “I can't help but wonder if I can meet whatever desires you have, Luna.”

Luna said nothing, but gave the colt a kiss to soothe his doubts before turning her attentions back to the show on the other side of the wall. Sensing the conversation would go no further, Star sighed and joined her.

Celestia was moaning and gasping, her pastel mane curling about her head as she rolled it from side to side, while Lighthoof suckled from her nipple. At last he released it with a wet pop, a trickle of milk leaking out the corner of his mouth. She whimpered and reached out, the colt leaned his head into her caressing hooves while he licked his muzzle clean. After a few moments of her warm stroking, the colt latched his lips upon the neglected teat and began to suck noisily upon it. The alicorn groaned in her pleasure, clutching her fore-hooves to her chest. The colt nipped his flat pony teeth on the nub, causing the alicorn to cry out, then began panting heavily as Light sucked harder on the nipple, drawing out the magically created milk with gusto.

Long minutes passed with the white alicorn writhing upon the ivory silk sheets, teased and lovingly tormented by the mouth of the smaller pony. Lighthoof released his hold on her, cleaning his damp lips with his tongue once again, a few drops rolling down his chin to drip between Celestia's legs. Planting light kisses down her belly, between her thighs and onto her moist sex, Lighthoof's mouth found the fragrant mare very aroused. He rubbed his already damp muzzle into her fold, licking and sucking on anything his lips could find purchase. Celestia responded with moans and soft laughs of merry delight. Then the colt paused, raising his head, sticky from chin down a part of his neck from her juices. When their eyes met, the Princess gave him a warm smile that flicked to a gasp of surprise as the smaller pony pressed his hoof between her slit. He pushed firmly, rolling it side to side to coat it completely, while the steady pressure he applied allowed him to work his hoof an inch at a time inside of her. She flopped back her head, eyes closed and gave a whinny. Lighthoof laughed a bit, never before hearing the Princess make such an unladylike sound. More he pressed, rotating his hoof side to side as his mouth nipped at her inner leg, his free fore-leg wrapped around it to help keep the Princess from clamping down on his hoof. There was a slight wet pop and a bit of air made a rather humorous noise as the hoof slipped completely in. Celestia blushed as they shared an awkward laugh. Then, she was being slowly rutted by the limb between her thighs. In and out the arm moved, so much bigger than the member of the average pony, the Princess was crying out in pleasure after only a few minutes. As her noises of delight grew, so did the speed at which Lighthoof worked, till at last the beautiful Sun-Goddess bit her lip, squeezed shut her eyes and climaxed all down the probing limb. Stuck between the clenching walls of the alicorn, the pegasus could only watch and smile as Celestia rode out her orgasm.

In time, she relaxed enough where Lighthoof could slip his leg free of the larger pony, giving his hoof a bit of a cleaning with his tongue. He looked over the warm body of the alicorn, a sly mischievous smile upon his lips. Celestia fluttered open her eyes and glanced down as the colt raised up, resting his fore-hooves on each side of her. Below his belly, a rigid erection was as stiff as his wings, a pretty clear indicator that he was enjoying this as much as she. Awkwardly, he stepped forward on his hind-hooves, resting his stallion shaft between her thighs, the end of it pressing between the teased mounds on her belly. Without warning, the pony rocked his hips forward and back, letting his member stroke through her sleek white coat, damp from the attentions of his mouth. The Princess moaned softly, watching him rub himself so crudely against her body, causing a shiver of delight whenever an errant thrust brought the cock across a nipple. She gave the smaller colt a knowing smile, bringing her hind-legs together slightly, the thighs pressing against the stroking stallion-hood. Light gave a groan, feeling the warmth and tightness of the sleek coat on three sides. Celestia's horn glowed, and a field of light gold flickered and danced against the slowly flaring tip of the shaft, a little more of the field rubbed in tandem along the top of it and danced along his wings.

The combination of magic, exoticism of the situation and warmth of the Princess's body shortly overwhelmed the colt and in a grunt of excursion, his cock fully flared and began spurting his seed all over her chest and belly. He held rigid as his member emptied itself on the alicorn's body, he barely felt her hooves caressing his cheeks and neck while he rode out his own orgasm. Eventually, he softened and relaxed, stumbling over into her hind-hoof bringing them both face to face on their sides. Celestia stroked his mane a few times, leaning down to kiss his nose as the pegasus' eyes began to droop.

Lighthoof yawned. “I'm...sorry Princess. The trip over drained me a bit.”

“No, no my little pony. It was the most fun I've had in ages. Rest your head here with me.”

Lighthoof tried to mumble something to her, but she shushed his words, letting the colt drift off to sleep next to her. Then, the alicorn arced her head down to clean her belly of the sticky cum as the wall between her and the watchers solidified.

“So, dear Starstep, was it everything thou wished it to be?”

The wall become stone and Luna's words brought Star out of his dazed thoughts. “Huh? Oh um...” He met her eyes, a little nervous at her sly smile. “I...I guess. I learned a few things.”

“Didst thou? What if I was to say that my sister and I dost not share all of the same...fantasies? What if I said I didst not enjoy any of what she received?” Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

Star tapped his fore-hooves nervously. “Oh well, I wont do that then.”

Luna pressed a hoof to his lips. “I never said I did not enjoy such things. I only put forth the question of 'what-if'?”

The blue-grey colt pondered it for a moment, painfully aware of his still stiff wings and arousal he was hiding under his belly. However, he put those urges to the back of his mind to consider what Luna was hinting at. Then his expression brightened. “You're saying, that I shouldn't assume you'd like any of that but not to assume you don't. When the time comes, I should ask first.” Luna's nod and smile soothed his heart.

“Indeed. While tis true Tia and I hath explored much of the intimate delights in our lifetimes, it is not to say we'd both enjoy the same.” She paused, looking at the now solid wall. “Still...Tia's actions have me worried. I suspect we shalt have a talk with her later.”

“Later?” Star tilted his head. “If she's doing something that might hurt Light, why not now?”

The alicorn gave a soft laugh. “Oh, we could. However, later would be best. After thou hath also rested from thy trip.” She leaned down to nibble at his ear, making the pegasus give a little moan.

“Princess...er...Luna. Um...” Her attentions were causing his just now relaxing wings to stiffen
fully.

“I hath decided to change my mind.” She nipped at his ear, her wing curling out to caress along his new black plumage. “Sit up upon thy haunches.”

Star blushed and looked away. “Ah...I'm sort of still...aroused from the show.”

A snap of magic on his flanks caused him to sit up hurriedly. His surprised eyes met the narrowed sly gaze of the blue alicorn. “Indeed. Thou hath said not a word about thy discomfort and remained quite the gentlecolt.” She reached out a hoof to stroke his cheek. “Thou hath remained steadfast in thy resolve to be my consort. Though thou may change thy mind when thou comes to see what things I enjoy behind closed doors. But that is a topic for another time.” She pulled his muzzle around, coaxing him to sit before her on his haunches. Still keeping her eyes on his, a hoof began to caress coolly down his rigid shaft.

“I do this because I wish it. If thou desires to receive such attentions in the future, know that thou must never presume I will do it again and never feel entitled to mine inmate touch. Dost thou understand?” The colt nodded quickly as the hoof rubbed down to fondle at his sack. “I am not so cold as to not know the fires of a young heart and of thou deep yearning. I seek only to temper thy wants so thou may keep them under control. Thou wilst obey me and do as I ask.” The sleek blue alicorn lowered her head, so the cool air from her nose washed across the twitching shaft. “Mmm...it has been many an age since I hath done this.” She kissed the tip, making the pony moan. “Oh-ho. It appears mine touch still brings ecstasy.” She gave a soft laugh. “Dost thou wish to be revealed of thy...stiffness?”

“Y-yes, Luna.”

The alicorn licked her tongue along the tip, a trail of pre-cum threading off. “Oh, come now. I hath seen glimpses of thy dreams. I know what thou wishes to call me.” She leaned up to whisper in his ear as a magical field snapped his flank. “Say it...”

The colt shivered, closing his eyes to gather his courage, hoping beyond hope this wasn't another of Luna's games. “...Y-yes, Mistress.”

The alicorn laughed delightfully as the pony felt his breath catch. Then she was kissing him, sharing the slight salty taste of his pre. At last she pulled back, regarding him curiously. “Mmm...tis been beyond an age since I hath had a pony call me such. I find it...empowering.” She caressed his ear. “I shalt play along for now. For, I do not think thou knowest how such a relationship actually works.” She nibbled on his lips before returning her mouth to his shaft, licking and kissing the tip, while her cool hooves rubbed up and down the sides.

Luna teased him a bit, building up the colt's excitement before wrapping her lips around the head and bobbing up and down a bit, sucking hard on the shaft. Star's eyes rolled back and he gasped, the feeling of the alicorn was indescribable. Her tongue played along the top and sides while her muzzle slid him deeper and deeper into her muzzle till the tip was bumping the back of her throat. The pegasus groaned, quivering on his hooves while the beautiful blue mare brought him quickly to the edge. With all the early stimulus of the show and just the idea of being inmate with Luna, it was more than enough to shorten his longevity.

“M-Mistresss Luna, I...” He moaned through clenched teeth.

The alicorn pulled off his shaft with a wet pop, saliva and pre dribbling off her lips as she regarded him with a mix of curiosity and amusement. “Yes, Star?” Her hooves were rapidly stroking along the sides of his member while a magical field probed at his plot. It was too much and with a gasp, he climaxed, shooting his load in spurts of sticky seed all over Luna's chin and neck. Star was oblivious to much of everything, riding out his short orgasm. Panting, the colt opened his eyes to find the alicorn glaring at him, white strands sticking to her blue coat.

“OH...oh, Mistress, I'm sorry. I...all the excitement and you...and...” He gave a heavy sigh.

“Tis understandable, but one must learn better control. Now, always remember to clean thy messes.” She tilted her head up.

Catching the hint, the colt leaned out to lick his own cum from the alicorn's beautiful neck. It wasn't all together unpleasant, and he was of the mindset that if a mare doesn't mind to clean up his mess, he shouldn't either. The wonderful murmurs of delight from the Princess was more than enough to put aside his hesitations as he worked towards her face, gently cleaning her one lick at a time. Soon he found her fore-hooves wrapped around his back, pulling him close to her sleek body. When the last bit of his mess was cleaned, she embraced him tight and together they fell over on their sides.

“Thou did very well. Do as I ask, and a pleased mistress I shall be.”

“Can...I do anything for you?” Star whispered, nuzzling into her slightly damp neck fur.

“Neigh. Tis a lesson for another time, though your eagerness to please me is quite delightful.” She gave a little giggle and hugged him. “Let us rest for now. The evening may prove trying.”

“Mistress Luna...” Star began, cuddling close to the slightly larger pony. “I love you.”

The Moon-Goddess smiled to herself, resting her head against his. There was a long pause before she answered. “I loveth thou as well.”

__________________________________________________________________

Starstep and Luna rested in each others hooves through the day till late afternoon. After washing, and brushing out their coats, the pair trotted to the dining hall where Princess Celestia was already sitting at the head of a long table, reading a local newspaper. There were no other ponies in the old stone hall, just a crackling fire to ward the chill of the early evening. She looked up with a warm smile, pastel mane flowing as always. “Good evening you two. Sleep well?”

Luna slid onto a chair to the right of her sister, gesturing for Star to sit in the opposite one. “Indeed, Tia.” She smiled slyly. “I trust thou rest with Lighthoof was equally enjoyable?”

Celestia's smile faded fractionally. “Why sister, were you peeking?”

The blue alicorn pointed a hoof to Star. “Repayment for thy viewing of Starstep and Scootaloo in the gardens.”

The white alicorn's eyes shifted to the pegasus for a brief moment. “I suppose fair is fair.”

“Where is thy new consort, Tia?”

“When he left, he said he would be exploring the castle till sunset. I expect he'll be along shortly.” The Sun-Goddess levitated up a cup to sip at tea.

“What game art thou playing at, sister?”

“Game, Lu-lu?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Thou dost not love this pony.”

“I love all my little ponies, you should know that.” Another calm sip.

Princess Luna hesitated, searching her sister's face. “Thou art jealous. Thou art using this pony to soothe thy pangs of being alone.”

Celestia's floating cup quivered as her head whipped around to meet her sister's, eyes wide in outrage. “How dare you, Lu-lu.”

“I speak truth, do I not? Thou hath been on thy own since my banishment. No time for lovers or matters of the heart. Thou hath remained outside of the romantic trials of life for the last thousand years and now that I hath returned, thou sees Princess Cadance's happy marriage and mine own blossoming one.” The harsh words echoed in the empty hall.

A crackling fire was the only sound in the tense room till the white alicorn set down her tea cup with a gentle clink and composed her regal mask. “Sister, is it so wrong for me to want a little company, now that you've returned, my ruling burdens have lessened.”

“Tis wonderful that thou seeks companionship once again, but not like this. Thou art using this pony for instant gratification.”

A smirk flickered on Celestia's face. “He didn't seem too unhappy about it.”

“Tis wrong, sister! Thou art going to break a pony's heart!” Luna glared at her sister.

“Lu-lu, you wound me. You act like I'm going to toss dear Lighthoof aside. He's a wonderful pony with a big heart and so noble.”

“Thou acts as though tis only his heart on the line.” Luna hesitated. “Do not allow this to become another Starswirl incident.”

Starstep blinked at the name of the famous unicorn, watching Celestia's brow furrow. “Sister, how does that compare? Starswirl and I were lovers for a very long time. We were very happy with our relationship.”

“And was I, dear sister?” Luna narrowed her eyes.

“No, you had no one at that time...and...” Celestia frowned. “You started taking random ponies as lovers.” She sighed. “You were so mad that I didn't have time for you and sought comfort.”

“It dost appear the tables have turned, Tia. Dost thou wish for the horrible fall-out to repeat? Dost thou remember the two ponies who took their own lives when they realized I did not truly love them in that way? I wilst not let thou repeat mine mistakes.” Luna stood, walking around to nuzzle her sister. “Oh, Tia. Please do not think that I wish thou to be alone. I lovest thou very much. I...only desire not to allow my mistakes to become thou's. Be honest with Lighthoof...for all our sakes, my dearest sister.” She kissed the white alicorn on the cheek just as there was a knock on the door. “I suspect that is him. I shalt take Starstep to town for dinner. Have Lighthoof join us at the fountain square at midnight.”

Starstep tried to ignore the silent tears that were rolling down Celestia's cheeks. He felt very uncomfortable seeing such a sad side to the normally warm and majestic Princess. His own Princess nodded for him to follow, walking at his side towards the dining room door. She swung it open with her magic relieving a rather surprised Lighthoof. Star gave his friend a sad smile and looked back towards the quietly weeping alicorn. “Hey Light. She needs you, bro. We'll see you later.”

Light's face shifted from surprise, to confusion, to despair as he rushed passed the departing ponies to the Sun-Goddess' side as the door quietly swung shut behind them.

The pair walked the stone hall, lit only by flickering torches and the setting sun slipping through the gaping holes that served as windows. After a while, Luna gave a heavy sigh. “Tis as I feared. I could see it within her eyes. She's lonely, only she's not been able to admit it to herself until Cadance and I reminded her through our actions.”

“That whole Starswirl thing...” Star began.

“I mean no disrespect, my dear Shadow-Guard, but I wish not to speak more upon it. Twas a troubling time and I caused much hurt. Sometimes, we who live so long, forget parts of our lives, and must relearn a harsh lesson. I will never repeat that mistake.”

“...which is why you're so cautious with the whole courting thing.” He looked up at the Princess who only gave him a smile for an answer.

“Thou knowst thy friend well. How dost thou believe he wilst respond?”

The pair exited the hall into the courtyard leading to the main gates. “Ah well, he'll be more concerned with Princess Celestia's happiness than his own. He loves both of you as much as he loves protecting ponies.” He glanced back at the main section of the old fortress. “Problem is...unless she cuts him off, he's going to keep trying to be there for her. Just because he probably feels like he should. Not because he loves her like I love you.”

Luna nodded thoughtfully. “I feared as much. Tis why Tia chose him to relieve her loneliness. She may never truly love him as a lover should be. Dost thou feel this will cause an issue?” They passed under the shadow of the portcullis and into the cobblestone streets of the strange industrial town. Lantern-lighters were trotting down the sides of the street, igniting the wicks of the street-lamps as the last glimmers of the setting sun faded.

“No...I'm more afraid of what's going to happen between him, Sherry and Peach Blossom. I'll try and talk him out of it but...”

“Thou dost not hold out hope of swaying him from what he sees as his duty. Am I correct?” The colt nodded. She gave a soft sigh and a sad smile. “One way or another, my dear Shadow-Guard. Things will come to a conclusion.” Luna paused in her trotting, Starstep halting beside her as her wings flared out and horn glimmered a blinding blue for a moment. “Apologizes, needed to start the moon on it's path.” She refolded one wing, the other draped over Starstep. “Now, let us attend to our bellies and enjoy what this city has to offer before we meet Lighthoof. I also hear they have a thing called Karaoke, though I am told it requires heavy drinking before attempting.”

As the two trotted down the street towards the restaurant section of town, Star grinned up at the blue alicorn. “I love drinking with you Princess, as long as you promise my wings wont get burnt off this time.”

The alicorn laughed lightly, swatting Star rump with her wing. “No promises my dear. Though I'm certain the evening will pass without life-threatening dangers. Now come! Let us eat, drink and be merry! Huzzah!”

“Huzzah!” Star echoed, following Luna's lead into the shadowy city.