Caecus walked onto one of the school's balcony gave a clear view of the moonrise, the soft silver lighting the world below. This was one of the things that didn't change in Equestria, something that Caecus was thankful for every night as it reminded him of home, which seemed a world away at times.

In Highever there would have been the changing of the guard, serving colts bringing the dinner to the great hall, and a few knights walking the royal gardens.

That was not the case at this school, as there were no knights or guards. Below there were only a few students who had yet to turn in for the night. Some of them watched the moonrise, some talked with friends, and one or two tried to paint the night sky.

That night, as he was about to leave, Fluttershy walked onto the balcony and looked at up at the moon.

"Lovely night, isn't it?" she asked, not glancing toward Caecus.

Caecus could see no reason to disagree.

"Aye," he replied, looking up at the moon once again.

"Ever heard the story of Nightmare Moon?" Fluttershy asked.

"Nay," Caecus replied but found he wanted to know the story. He sat down. "So what’s the tale?"

Fluttershy sat at the edge of the balcony.

"The ponies a thousand years ago shunned the night and the princess who watched over it. Never once did they show her any kindness, and it ate away at her mind until there was only darkness that remained," she said.

Caecus shook his head, not in the mood to learn about kindness.

"Aye, what of it?" he asked coldly.

"Just thought you would like to know. I could tell you of how Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon, or how she fought her sister to bring everlasting night, or how ponies started a cruel myth that she ate foals. However, that’s something that would not bug you." Fluttershy shrugged and just looked up at the moon. "I could also tell you of how the griffons can barely stand one another, how it’s every dragon for themselves, the hippogriffs' home was taken, or the hunger of the changelings."

"Hunger?" Caecus whispered to himself without thinking. He had never heard of the hunger of the changelings. For that matter, he only knew the basics; they could change into another, had an armored skin, and were cunning. Part of him wondered if that hunger was for foals, which could be the reason they took them.

Fluttershy didn't reply and just kept looking at the moon, as did Caecus, until at last the yellow mare glanced at him.

"You know, I asked Twilight about you and your homeland," she said.

"Go on tell me what you learned of me and my kingdom and how you think me misguided, but then I'll show you can’t judge me by what others say." Caecus felt a bit of anger growing within him.

The timid mare only smiled and shook her head.

"I would ask you the same question, as you did the moment you set hoof in this school. You judge me meek and useless, and no doubt you think that your fellow students are below you. I also have little doubt you’ve already made up your mind on the non-pony students," Fluttershy said.

If Caecus had talons, there would have been marks in the balcony's railing.

"I... I did..." He could not form the words to his reply, try as he might. His anger cooled, and all he could feel was shame at what he had done. Even as he tells himself, he was right. That each one of the non-ponies belonged to a race of killers and that Equestrians had never known the atrocities those races committed.

It was then he felt a comforting hoof touch his side.

"Forgive me for my words, but you needed to hear them. I know you can be kind, I saw how you loaned those books to Ocellus without being asked," Fluttershy smiled a bit.

Caecus didn't look at Fluttershy and wondered if she had been walking by the library that day, or if he had missed her. He just sat there for some time, his eyes fixed on the moon. After a few minutes, he heard Fluttershy stand start for the door. Just before reaching it, she stopped.

"And if you are wondering about the changeling hunger, you should ask Ocellus, as I could never explain it as she could," she said before leaving him to his thoughts.

The prince just sat there and thought, watching the stars as he did. Had he been home he would have went to Lord Commander Ignis or his father or mother seeking guidance, as they would have the answers. He had never been good with matters of the mind, unlike his brothers who always seemed to know what to do.

After an hour of thought, Caecus got to his hooves headed toward his room. The halls were nearly empty with only a few students burning the midnight oil, while the rest had no doubt turned in for the night.

Caecus's room was simple: a desk, a chest that he had brought with him filled with various things, and a bed. He did not head to the bed, finding that sleep did not come easy in Equestria. Some nights it was nightmares, others dreams that made little sense to him. Sometimes he would awake in a cold sweat.

So he would sit at his desk and read, some nights of wars long past, others of marvelous deeds of arms. However, this evening he would learn of myths and monsters. Even if he had found one member of the race he was to study harmless. Though that could have been part of Ocellus's cunning plans. He pulled a book from the chest and turned to the page marked “changelings”.

He needed to know if there was any mention of this ‘changeling hunger’ in history or myths. Caecus read for hours trying to find it but was only reminded of the monstrous deeds of the changelings. The tale of the last foals of Golden Hills and the siege of Great North Gate were two events that stood out the most. He closed the book as his the witching hour came, as he needed at least a little sleep before the first class of the day.

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