The sun begins to set over Equestria. Another day has come and gone, now the night shall take over, for now. But the darkness has not settled in quite yet. As the sun sets, the bright blue sky turns into a soft orange, clouds turn from white to light pinks and soft purples. This is the time that Princess Luna loves to wake up to, the twilight sky brings always gives her peace. Her sister is finishing her half of the job, now Luna must get ready before she has to take over.

The navy blue colored Alicorn throws the covers off and climbs out of bed. Her previous day's rest was a little rougher than she had before, but she can't let some bad sleep ruin her night. She walks across her room over to her desk and mirror and begins to brush her night sky mane, but she notices something...off. She winces at the mirror, "oh, of course," she says as she uses her magic to pick up an dark purple aerosol spray can with the words "Flowing Mane Spray" written in legible calligraphy on the bottle. She sprays her mane and tail and, with the magic of chemicals, they begin to flow as if a gentle breeze is blowing through. She finishes her routine by dawning her usual accessories, four sparkling pale blue pony shoes, a sparkling black chest guard with a crescent moon, and a black tiara.

As she exits her room, she looks across the hall outside a window and notices the sun still hanging in the sky. "I guess Celestia is being held hostage by talkative dignitaries," she chuckles, "well that gives me more time to line the halls with my lavender." She begins making her way toward the castle's nursery. As she walks, she occasionally looks out the window to see the activity happening below. She sees guards rotating positions, servants heading home for the night, and, occasionally, a little bird tucking into it's nest. Her old self would've grown jealous to see all these ponies and creatures shunning her night, but instead she has grown to accept it. Ever since she was given more command over the dream realm, she has found a better way to connect with the ponies of Equestria than just holding the sun hostage.

She arrives at the nursey and, as per usual, the head gardener is expecting her. A cheery, soft orange earth pony with purple eyes, a light brown mane and tail, and a trowel cutie mark greets Luna at the door. "Ah Princess Luna," says the little pony, "you're here, I'm just finishing up your cart of lavender, let me get it for you." The door slams closed as the pony rushes back inside. An orchestra of tumbling items ensue.

"If it's no trouble Miss Azalea," Luna shouts through the door, "I can fetch the cart myself, there's no need for you to fetch it for me."

The door flies open, barely missing Luna's muzzle, "Oh it's no trouble at all Princess," Azalea remarks as she pulls out the cart of overflowing lavender flowers, "it's the last thing I do for the day before I lock up. Plus, you don't want to go in there, it wasn't exactly a harmonious day today."

Luna smiles and nods as she grabs the cart, "I understand, last day wasn't exactly harmonious for me either."

"Another nightmare," Azalea asks.

Luna nods, "the fifth one this week, and I still don't know what is causing it." Luna composes herself, "but I can't let it affect me now, I've got a job to do."

"Now Luna," the princess recognize what the serious tone meant, "you can't just push this under the rug and hope it goes away. You promise me that if these nightmares become too much of a problem, you'll seek help." Luna looked Azalea in the eye, and nodded. "Good, now you have a good night princess, I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning."

"Goodnight Azalea," said Luna as Azalea Blossom walked down the hall towards the front castle door.

Luna thought about what Azalea said. She did always have a problem of trying to go to other ponies for help when she needed it. The only times she ever did were when her problem began effecting other ponies or they became too big to solve. This time though, she needs to learn to swallow her pride and seek help...when it becomes a problem. And since it hasn't really become a problem just yet, there's no rush to make good on that promise. Right now, it's time to begin the lavender rounds.

Luna finishes arranging her lavender at the one place she finishes every night, right outside the throne room, where Celestia always ends her day, listening to the gripes and complaints of Canterlot's elite. As she replaces the flowers, Luna hears the muffled arguing of four ponies, what sounds like three mares and a stallion. Normally, Luna abhors listening to these kind of conversations, as they usually involve something extremely petty, although the shouting and occasional vulgar insult is starting to peak her interest. As she sneaks toward the elegant double doors, she wonders what petty argument Celestia is moderating. Perhaps someone borrowed a tea set for a little too long, maybe somepony exceeded a property line by an inch, or *gasp* someone cheated at golf!

Luna presses her ear against the left door, "Your highness these...activists...simply can't be allowed to hold their demonstration so close to our facilities," shouts one of the mares in a French accent.

"They are blocking our entry ways, harassing our employees, and disrupting our shipments," shouts the stallion with a low gruff voice.

"Yes, I understand your frustration and my guards are doing everything they can to contain the protesters," says Celestia in her usual calm demeaner.

"Clearly they are not," interjects another mare with a Southern English accent, "if your guards can't even defend Equestria from Queen Chrysalis, then why should we trust that they have the ability to hold back a bunch of low-class picketers?" Luna winced at the comment, they're lucky Shining Armor isn't there to hear this.

"Since your guards can't satisfy our demands," says the final mare with a snooty tone, "We ask that you bring in a division or two from your military to remove these vermin." Luna's jaw drops to the floor and her eyes widen. Are they asking what she thinks they are asking?

"You are serious about this request," asks Celestia in a horrified tone, "you are asking me to use military force to end a peaceful protest? I can not violate these ponies right to protest!"

"Then perhaps you won't mind if we take our business to another nation," threatened the gruff stallion, "Because I am sure that Nova Griffonia would appreciate having more consumer goods, or perhaps the Kingdom of Olenia would like to have a few more armament factories since they share the largest border with the Changelings."

"It's your choice princess," says the French mare, "approve our request and the Captains of Industry will forever be loyal to the throne, deny us and Equestria will suffer the largest unemployment rate anypony has ever seen."

"You're willing to let Equestria, your home, suffer because of a few protesters," Celestia exclaimed with shock.

"Our home is our business," said the snooty mare, "what will it be, your highness?"

A heavy pause of silence filled the room, quiet enough that Luna is able to hear their breathing. Finally, Celestia breaks the silence, "You will have my answer when we meet again tomorrow, I need the night to sleep on this."

"Very well, Princess," sighed the gruff stallion.

Luna hears their hoof steps walking towards the door. In a panic, she rushes back to her cart and acts like she was hanging lavender the entire time they were talking. She attempts to avoid eye contact as she hears four sets of hooves walking behind her. When the ponies finally leave, Luna looks behind and see Celestia standing at the door, her head bowing, her eyes are shut, and her mouth in a saddened frown, all together painting a picture of despair. Luna walks over to Celestia, hoping to make some attempt to comfort her.

"Sister," says Luna, "is everything ok? Are you ok?"

Celestia looks up and tries to give Luna the "everything is perfectly fine" look, a warm smile, relaxed eyes, and an upright head. But Luna has known Celestia long enough to know this is look she gives when everything isn't perfectly fine. Luna raises her right eyebrow in skepticism, making Celestia realize that she isn't buying it, and returning to her picture of despair. Celestia sighs, "as much as I wish, it is not. I'm guessing you probably listened in on some of the...discussion?"

"I may have listened a little bit," Luna confesses.

"Then you must know the precarious situation that I am in," says Celestia, "I do wish I could discuss this with you right now, but I barely have enough energy left to lower the sun."

"Perhaps I can visit you tonight," proposes Luna.

"If you have the time, that would be lovely," says Celestia, "Well I'm going to lower the sun and then I call it a night. Goodnight, Luna."

"Goodnight, Celestia," says Luna, "I hope we may see each other tonight."

Celestia walks toward the exit of the throne room, as Luna turns her attention to her cart; but before Celestia leaves she turns around and says, "oh Luna," Luna looks up from her cart, "the lavender does look lovely tonight." Luna blushes and smiles, Celestia smiles back and walks out of the hall.

As Luna finishes up her rounds, her mind keeps repeating the discussion Celestia had with those ponies. Why are those protesters even there at the facilities to begin with? Are these Captains of Industry really willing to take the risk to use military force against them? Are they serious about their threat if Celestia choses to deny their request? Will Celestia actually approve the use of the military in this way? More and more questions keep popping up in Luna's mind, this sounds like something Celestia can't handle on her own. Celestia may be an idealist, but this doesn't mean she isn't afraid to be pragmatic. She has always chosen what is best for Equestria, but sometimes those choices aren't easy.

As Luna finishes, she sees the sun finally begin to dip below the horizon. It's time for her to start her shift now, hopefully some time in the dream realm with Celestia will help clear things up.