You look at the white crescent on Princess Luna’s flank, and an impish grin works its way onto your muzzle. “Your moon is very beautiful, Your Highness,” you tell her, quickly shifting your gaze to the glowing white orb in the sky.

“Hmm?” she inquires, turning around and following the line of your gaze into the sky. “Oh! You noticed! I brought the moon about a percent closer than normal and rotated it about three degrees. It hides the maria and increases the surface’s reflectance, which is why it appears slightly larger and brighter tonight.” She regards you with an impressed smile and a raised eyebrow. “It takes quite a trained eye to pick out that difference, you know. Are you classically trained in astronomy?”

You grin and hoof-bump yourself mentally for getting away with that, suppressing the urge to press your luck again by conjuring up some absurd butt/astronomy double entendre. “No ma’am. Beginners luck, I assure you.”

Her smile grows wider and her other eyebrow raises itself as well. “I am impressed. A guard with a knack for astronomy and an appreciation for the aesthetic value of flowers is a rare commodity indeed.” Without letting her smile falter, she places a wing around you and leads you into another area of the garden, your sides touching as you walk. “Just do not refer to me as ‘Ma’am’ again. It makes me feel old,” she tells you, in what you assume is half-jest.

You waltz happily with Princess Luna through the rest of the royal gardens, the conversation becoming lighter and more pleasant with each passing minute. Not once does she remove her wing from around your midsection, nor does she pull her side away from yours. After a little less than a half hour, she takes a seat on a bench beside the central fountain and beckons you to join her, which you do.

“I have very much enjoyed your company this evening,” she tells you. “The nights can get a little lonely, and…well, let’s just say that the flowers show more of their beauty, if you have somepony to share the sight with.” A soft, genuine smile graces her muzzle. “And that’s not even mentioning the first compliment I’ve gotten about my night sky in weeks.”

Despite some lingering nervousness, you copy her smile almost perfectly. “Thank you for inviting me, Your Highness.”

Princess Luna gently leans her head against yours, and leaves it there, practically paralyzing you.

You spend the next few minutes staring at the arcing jets of water erupting from the ancient stone edifice. It is peaceful beyond your ability to comprehend.

The serenity of the moment is shattered by a quiet, demure yawn from Princess Luna, which prompts her to stand up from the bench and perform a light stretch. “The night grows old, and the day cometh soon. Would you be so kind as to accompany me back to my chambers?”

Proceed to Chapter 17.