Written by RandomString Proofread by Knight of Cerebus

Twilight woke up well before dawn. She saved and carefully rose from the cushions she was sleeping on, trying not wake those of her friends who were still slumbering. Midnight rose beside her, exhibiting unnecessary grace for an illusion. Twilight enjoyed seeing the dancelike actions of the pegasus mare, and Midnight seemed to enjoy showing off.

A quick survey of the cushions showed that most of her friends were already awake. Pinkie was slumped over several cushions, drooling; Twilight speculated that the baker was only still dreaming through sheer willpower. Rarity was snoring with polite quietness. Twilight and Luna had discussed the potential of dream pranks for revenge against Rarity's book vandalism, but they agreed that peace offerings such as Rarity's shared bottle of wine must absolutely be respected. For at least several hours. Dream walking was a sacred trust that should not be abused, of course, but it was mostly the wine that spared her.

Twilight found the others in her kitchen. Applejack was preparing a big breakfast, but noticed her arrival. She looked up at Twilight with no small embarrassment, nodded her head in thanks and continued her work. Nopony else seemed to notice. While Applejack was cooking breakfast, Fluttershy was laying out the table. Rainbow Dash was drinking coffee and offering unsolicited advice to both mares in the guise of 'helping'. Twilight was musing on what she could do to help when a loud, "Noooo!" could be heard from the other room, signalling that Pinkie had finally been ejected from the sweet factory.

Pinkie soon bounded into the kitchen to hug Twilight in gratitude for the dream. She was trailed by Li'l Twi, happily eating a huge donut. The phantasm had another donut hanging on her horn, chocolate caked around her muzzle, her mane and tail were thickly matted with toffee and she was leaving a trail of chocolate hoofprints in her wake.

"What?", Li'l Twi asked at Twilight's look, "Your dreams are always so boring. Pinkie's was much better." She finished her donut and licked sugar dusting off her muzzle before settling down on a kitchen counter, sporting the smug grin that comes from a life well lived. The illusion's smugness didn't last long – Rainbow soon finished her coffee and carelessly put the mug on the worktop, right through her body. Li'l Twi glared invisibly at Rainbow and then tried to find somewhere else in line of sight of Twilight to be smug.

Rarity, who had been woken by Pinkie's cry of despair, was the last to join them, looking distinctly grumpy and unamused. Midnight was standing in the doorway and Rarity wasted no time waving a leg through the illusion to shoo her out of the way. "What uncelestial hour is this? The sun isn't even up yet! Why are you lunatics even awake?"

"Hey, captain of the weather team here! I need to get started earlier than this, most days."

"Ah'm a farmer. Does that answer ya question?"

"I care for animals too. If I don't start getting food out before dawn, the poor squirrels will be really grumpy by the time they get fed."

"I'm a baker, silly."

"And you? What's your excuse for getting up at this indecent hour? Special library opening times for night owls? Need to prepare the crash barriers for the morning rush of customers frantic to borrow the latest Daring Do novel?"

"Good morning, Rarity,” Twilight laughed, “Have some coffee. And to answer your question, I just really like watching the sunrise."

Coffee did wonders for Rarity's mood. By the time Applejack had breakfast ready, she had apologised to everyone, done her (already perfect) hair and was chatting happily about the latest fashion trends to a captive audience of Rainbow Dash, who looked like she would even be willing to help properly in order to escape.

It was quickly clear to Twilight that her little kitchen wasn't big enough for six grown mares, one illusionary pegasus and a little unicorn hallucination to have breakfast, so she teleported mares, breakfast and table outside to the grass near the tree. They settled around the table, eating their breakfast and watching the majesty of the breaking dawn.

Twilight sighed happily at the beautiful sight and the sheer pleasure of the company of her friends. She was carefully ignoring the sounds coming from where Pinkie and Li'l Twi were sitting.

"Hey!” said Li'l Twi, “I was saving that for later! Give it back, or I'm telling Twilight!"

"Now where in tarnation did that donut come from, Pinkie? Ah know Ah didn't cook none. It must be from yesterday. Is it stale?"

"No, Applejack, it is scrumptious! Super fresh and oh-so tasty. I mean Donut Joe's donuts are good, but this one is gooood."

Nope, Twilight didn't hear a single thing. It was far too early for that kind of headache. She particularly didn't see Pinkie sneakily feeding Li'l Twi one of Applejack's apple fritters in compensation.

With Applejack and Pinkie busy on one side of the table and Rainbow and Fluttershy deep in conversation on the other (possibly still discussing last night if Fluttershy's blush was any indicator), Twilight naturally turned to Rarity.

"So, Twilight darling, how did it go with Luna last night?", asked Rarity, before Twilight could open her mouth.

"Oh, it was wonderful! She's teaching me dream walking. It's fascinating stuff."

"Oh! I thought she was just 'stopping by' to see how her plan went. It sounds like you spent the whole night together."

"We did and it was great. She showed me what Ear looked like before it even became a city! Ear! And the dream walking stuff is so interesting. She's opened up a whole new world for me."

"Darling, I think it's simply wonderful that you've hit it off so well. She sounds simply besotted with you, and you with her."

"Besotted?"

"Oh, absolutely! Think about it: she's spent the last three nights, her working time, attending to you. And she's putting in so much effort with the crafted dreamscapes, the private lessons-"

"Three nights in a row, when normally she'd be working? That is a lot," said Applejack, breaking free from her conversation with Pinkie.

"And she sounds so eager to keep you happy," said Fluttershy from the other side.

"What are you trying to say, girls?"

"I think what we're trying to say, darling, is that maybe you and Luna are moving a little too fast. Making love before your first date? Meeting up again every night? Putting you ahead of her normal duties?"

Twilight bit back an angry retort. Before she could find the words she wanted, Fluttershy flew over to hug her. Twilight calmed down and started to think about what Rarity was saying.

"I admit that things are... intense. But Luna is her own mare. It's flattering that she's decided to spend so much time with me. The pace feels natural: I work during the day and play at night. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, for you," said Applejack, "But it sounds like she might be playing with you at night and sleeping during the day, not doing her job. That ain't good."

"Look, girls, I think you're wrong, but I'll chat with her about it."

"That's all I ask, Dar-"

"I mean, if she were so, so obsessed with me, she'd talk to me right? She'd give me the answers I need right?"

"Well-"

"She wouldn't just dodge the question, if she really cared, right? She wouldn't ignore-"

Twilight was cut off by another Flutterhug and six uncomfortable stares. It took Twilight a few moments to calm herself while her friends waited sympathetically.

"Sorry," she said, "I'm sorry. I... I'm just scared. I mean everything is going so wonderfully, but... but I want to talk to her. About the nightmare. About what happened. And she keeps dodging the question. And I don't know. Does she care? Does she really care? Or am I a little project to keep her amused?"

"No!" said Fluttershy, "Of course not! How can you even think like that?"

“Twilight, darling,” said Rarity, joining Fluttershy in the hug, “Everything is going to be okay. I know it’s scary when you feel that you’re not being understood, but remember that it must be scary for her too. ”

“It takes time to let people in, Twilight. Don’t try and force her hoof and Ah’m sure everything will work out fine. But if you need to talk we’re here for you, Sugarcube, anytime,” said Applejack

"Thanks girls," sniffed Twilight, "I know she cares for me and I just need to be patient. It's just hard sometimes."

"Just remember that we're here for you, whatever happens," there was a chorus of agreement across the table.

The meal was continuing at a relaxed pace when-

"Twilight! Quick! We've been burgled!"

Twilight teleported Spike out to share breakfast and happily joined the small feast that Applejack had prepared. By the time the sun was well clear of the horizon, the diners were full. Twilight teleported the table and dishes back inside. Spike looked fairly miffed when he realised who would be doing all the washing up; Twilight was as oblivious as ever. Rarity lingered behind as everyone said their goodbyes, wanting to speak with Twilight in private.

"Darling, I hope you enjoyed the wine last night."

"It was wonderful, Rarity, thank you."

"It was nothing. I just wanted to say that I'm forgiving you for my poor wet divan, and hope you forgive me for modifying your book. I'd like to consider things even between us. Peace?"

"Of course. I'm sorry I played that joke on you, it was just too tempting to resist. Peace."

They hugged, and Rarity sighed, "I have forgiven you dear, but I do hope it dries out soon; I'm worried about the upholstery."

"It's still wet? I'm so sorry, I thought you'd use magic to dry it out. Wait here a moment, I recently researched a spell for drying out bedsheets and-" Twilights ears turned bright red as she heard what she had just said.

Ignoring Rarity's delighted leer, she rushed into the library to escape and brought out the copy of 'Mrs. Beastson's' with a bookmark in the correct page after her blush had faded. She grumpily handed it over to Rarity, despite the latter's knowing grin.

"My, my, you have been sleeping well if you need this. Thank you, dear. I shall return it this afternoon."

Rarity would have said more, but Spike rushed out, carrying a scroll adorned with Princess Celestia's royal seal and soap suds.

"Twilight, I just received a letter from Princess Celestia. She's summoning you to Canterlot immediately!"

----------------------

The next half-hour was a rush of activity as Twilight tried to get ready. Li'l Twi gleefully galloped behind Twilight, shouting reminders. Spike hurriedly took down a list of things to do while Twilight was gone. Midnight calmly watched the action with restrained amusement.

"You promised to give Luna a book-thingy to teach Luna how to teach you stuff. You need to take more ink - the ink in your room in the castle has gotten all mouldy. The train will be at the station in eighteen minutes, according to the timetable. Shampoo! Hey, that's a really cool word. Shampooooo. Oh! Naughty nurse outfit, or go with Plan B and use all those bandages you bought yesterday to dress up as a sexy mummy?"

Twilight, who was grabbing things with her magic and stuffing them into her saddlebags as Li'l Twi called them out, screeched to a halt. She rushed for the door, calling out a hasty 'Goodbye' to Spike as she galloped after Rarity, Midnight flying close behind. A hurried conversation in the middle of the street later, the mares galloped to Rarity's boutique.

"Darling, you are so lucky that I decided to get your order over and done with. If I hadn't been so worried about Sweetie Belle finding this thing I wouldn't have even started it by now. Now, I had your measurements, so this'll only need a slight adjustment-""

"No time! The train leaves in-"

"Thirteen minutes," provided Li'l Twi.

"-Thirteen minutes! I'm sure it will be perfect, let me just pay you and I'll be gone."

"I won't hear of it! No-one leaves my boutique with sub-standard work. If you want this outfit, put it on now. The station is only a few minutes away, if you hurry, so there's plenty of time."

Twilight hurriedly donned the outfit, blushing furiously at Midnight's appreciative wolf-whistle. Midnight sauntered up to the blushing mare and said in a low voice and knowing grin, "Hello, nurse!"

Rarity didn't have time for this and waved her hooves through Midnight's body to make her retreat. Twilight spent a moment in thought and then temporarily dismissed the illusion. Taking her to Canterlot would just cause confusion.

Twilight spent an agonising time modelling the outfit, waiting impatiently as Rarity adjusted the fit. Shifting from hoof to hoof, she ground her teeth in frustration. Li'l Twi helpfully counted down the minutes and seconds in a sing-song voice between gnawing chocolate off of her fetlocks.

When Rarity finally declared herself satisfied, Twilight reacted almost instantly. She teleported a bag of bits to Rarity, teleported herself out of the outfit and stuffed it hurriedly into her bags before it could hit the ground and then rushed to the door as-

"Wait!" called out Rarity

Twilight turned to look back at Rarity as Li'l Twi said "Five minutes."

"You forgot the cap."

Twilight seized the cap with her magic and made a bee-line for the door, calling out "Thanks!" over her shoulder. She galloped down the street, towards the station. By her calculations, she would have half a minute to spare. Li'l Twi was standing excitedly on Twilight's head and shoulders as usual, delighting in the rush of air in her face. The tiny hooves didn't seem to press down as much as before and Twilight felt that she was finally getting used to having her joyful companion.

"Oh, you do realise that you left the bandages back at the library, right?"

Twilight made another abrupt halt, surprising her rider, who kept moving forward at the same speed. Twilight watched with her heart in her mouth as the little filly sailed through the air in a graceful trajectory that was destined to land her on the cobbles, hard. The gleeful 'Wheeeee!' coming from Li'l Twi did not calm Twilight down at all. An instance before she would have impacted on the path, Li'l Twi blinked out of existence and appeared back on Twilight's back.

"That was fun! Do it again!"

Twilight heaved a sigh of relief, and then a second one of annoyance. Passers-by had noticed Twilight's strange antics, but were all studiously looking elsewhere and assiduously minding their own business. Two mares who had been standing close to each other leapt apart the moment they saw her. Twilight was briefly torn by their fear, but had to admit to herself that it was useful in this instance as there were no curious questions to delay her as she rushed to the library to get the bandages and other supplies.

"One minute, thirty seconds," said Li'l Twi helpfully as they left the library a second time.

Throwing caution to the wind, Twilight moved. As a pony, she could run fast; as a unicorn of considerable skill, she could teleport short distances with speed and precision; as a fanatically dedicated student of Princess Celestia, she was willing to disregard pony laws and laws of physics alike to do her duty. Twilight broke several civic ordinances in order to get to the station with ten seconds to spare, in a hair-raising run that left a trail of chaos and confusion in her wake. Li'l Twi stood by her, cheering, as Twilight stood on the platform, chest heaving.

The train pulled into the station eighteen minutes later.

--------------------

"Aaaaw! The chocolate and toffee must have gone away when I blinked back to you! I was going to eat that!"

---------------------

Princess Celestia of Equestria was taking tea in the Rosewood Room, chatting happily with one of her ladies-in-waiting, when Twilight was ushered in and asked to wait while the major-domo discretely announced her presence to the princess. Li'l Twi rushed forward to do her duty as Twilight waited.

"This is Princess Celestia of Equestria! She's got lots of other titles, but since you're not a civil servant, a priestess, a soldier or a fish, I don't think you need to remember them. She's really really nice and kind and old. She's kept you in a library in Canterlot, given you an air balloon and posted you to Ponyville. I'm sure that she isn't trying to hint that you should keep your distance, really.

"And this," here Li'l Twi pointed an accusatory hoof at the elegant unicorn sitting next to her, "Is one of her ladies-in-waiting. Big meanies. They don't like that Princess Celestia likes you more than them," Li'l Twi blew a defiant raspberry at her, and then paused for thought and added, "This one did give you a very tasty cookie for your sixth birthday, though, so she isn't all bad."

The major-domo whispered quietly in the Princess' ear, and the Princess cast an apologetic glance in Twilight's direction and waved her over.

"Twilight!" said Princess Celestia, "I'm delighted to see you. I didn't expect you to be able to get here until tomorrow at the earliest. I'm terribly sorry for the summons but a distinctly unfortunate rumour was circulating around Canterlot the last two days that needed to be addressed."

"Of course, Princess. I am so very sorry about this."

"Don't be," Celestia said with a broad smile, "You're a healthy young mare at the age when you start looking for love. I know that you tried to be discrete, but I'm sorry to say that it wasn't enough. Ponies saw you leaving the palace in a good mood and drew completely the wrong conclusion. Unfortunately, the Equestrian Sentinel Newspaper caught wind of the rumours and investigated."

"What!?"

"Calm yourself, Twilight Sparkle. They sent a reporter on the night train to Ponyville and she managed to take several photographs of you and Midnight Whispers in close embrace. I'm very sorry that the story has gotten out this way."

The princess called out to a servant and Twilight was soon presented with a newspaper whose front page clearly depicted Twilight kissing Midnight. "Bookworms Together: Celestia's Student Caught Canoodling with Luna's Researcher" read the headline. Eventually Twilight looked up from the paper with a red face, ready to confess all.

"Princess, I need to tell you-"

Princess Celestia cut her off with a wave of her hoof, "No need, Twilight. I've spoken with the editor of the Equestrian Sentinel News and she has promised to never breach your privacy again. I've also spoken with Luna and while she was as surprised by the paper as I was, she agreed that you lovebirds should not be held apart. She has given Midnight a week off to spend with you. Go to her. I truly hope that she is the one, Twilight. Best of luck."

Twilight stood there, speechless, until Celestia warmly commanded her to go. She turned and bolted.

----------------------

Finding Midnight wasn’t easy. She wasn’t in the library and the lunar guards didn’t know where she was. Eventually Twilight found her lying on the grass in a park, reading. Judging from the headphones and the way she was holding a book to shield her face, she was irritated by the unwanted attention, but felt unable to escape it without making things worse.

The combined effect of the book and headphones made it childishly easy to sneak up on her, which Twilight naturally did. She stalked her prey with an exaggerated pose, holding her body low, hooves lifted high for each step and placed with care. Li'l Twi bounced up and down with excitement. Once in range, Twilight playfully nipped at Midnight's pert posterior, more tongue than teeth, truth be told.

The surprised yelp would have drawn Midnight a lot of stares, if she hadn't already been the focus of attention already. The younger passers-by grinned at her and the older ones sighed at the state of youth today, perhaps a little enviously. She dropped her book and threw off her headphones to glare at her assailant. Shocked to see Twilight, she yelped again.

Twilight took the opportunity to lean in and say with a smouldering voice, "Hello Midnight - how would you like me to take you away from here and have my way with you?"

"I'd like that," said Midnight Whispers.

---------------------

Deciding that heading straight to Luna's bedchambers would attract far too much attention, the couple headed out for an early lunch before looking around Canterlot together. Twilight lead Midnight to a pleasant cafe, where they chatted over hay fries and salad and ignored the attention they were getting.

"So even Princess Celestia doesn't know about your alter ego?"

"I always use a different form when she and I go out on the town as ponies - a unicorn called 'Silver Stream'. Too many ponies know that Celestia has the form called 'Sunny Skies' and I worry that they would recognise that Silver Stream was me. To all observers, Midnight Whispers is a pegasus researcher I had join my retinue when I was re-ensconced in the palace. She spends most of her time exploring Equestria or researching in the library so no one notices if she is around or if she is not."

"I have a hard time believing that anyone doesn't notice that face, that body when she's nearby."

Luna blushed happily but said, "Well, I have been approached few times by amorous suitors, but I've always turned them away. None had been confident enough to approach Princess Luna until you did, and certainly none of them had the confidence to bite my rump."

Twilight grinned toothily.

"Now, I have a question," said Luna.

"Mmmm?" said Twilight, mouth full of salad.

"Who is this little filly that looks remarkably like you who is following us around?" she indicated with a hoof at Li'l Twi, who was busy trying to chase her own tail, giggling, "Judging from the lack of stares and slight transparency, I presume most ponies cannot see or hear her."

Li'l Twi bounded up to Princess Luna and said, "Hello! My name is Li'l Twi, and I'm here to help her remember stuff. Twilight created me 'cos she was worried that seducing you would take decades and she would need me to remember her boring life. And... and... oh, there's just so much embarrassing stuff to say, I don't know where to start! Like the time when she was a filly and got a tube of toothpaste-"

Twilight gave out a strangled shout and leapt on the figment, holding her hoof over the filly’s mouth while grinning nervously at Luna. "Heh, heh... constructs of the subconscious say the funniest things, don't they?"

Luna laughed and patted Li'l Twi on the head, "Don't worry, little one. We shall talk more when she's asleep."

Twilight was blushing hard as she returned to her seat.

Once they had finished eating, they fled to the Equestrian National Museum of Art, History and Magic. An imposing collection of buildings, holding the treasures salvaged from a dozen pre-reunification nations, it had the singular benefit of forbidding cameras on site.

---------------

"So, how many nations did you two actually conquer during the reunification? The history books tend to be a bit vague on the topic."

"Quite a few. Tia wasn't always kind, patient and scholarly, you know. She's really embarrassed about it now, but if you want to see her blush, just ask her about the time she lost her temper whilst negotiating the surrender of Manehattan and shouted so loudly that she knocked over the city gates."

----------------

"Oh dear, it looks like we're about to be kicked out."

"Is it really that late? It feels like we only just got here."

"Yes, it has been wonderful, but we need to make plans for dinner. I believe you're going to have to feed me at a very fine restaurant, to make up for all the naughty things I'm sure you plan to do to me tonight. Unless you want to eat at the palace?"

"If I'd known you were such high maintenance, I wouldn't have become a librarian," joked Twilight, "But don't worry, I've been saving up and I'll treat you to the best donuts in town."

----------------

Twilight made a big show of relenting, and took Luna to 'The Fat Asparagus'. A delicious three-course meal and a very nice bottle of wine later they left, Luna's wing draped over Twilight's back.

Rather than navigate the palace guard, Luna simply grabbed Twilight in a close embrace with all four hooves and flew them directly to her balcony. The view of Canterlot's lights falling away beneath her took Twilight's breath away. Luna opened the balcony doors with her magic and ushered Twilight into her bedroom. Twilight went inside to wait while Luna went to chat with her sister and raise the moon. Twilight quickly changed into the nurse's outfit and set her supplies in easy reach, before settling down to wait for her lover's return.