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~*-----1-----*~
Silver would admit, when he had finally managed to process and realize that Luna was basically a goddess, he was a bit hesitant to call himself her friend. But as she remained gentle with him throughout teaching him, calling him her friend, he let himself relax into her presence.
Luna had never given Silver a reason to worry about titles or species differences between them. While, sure, there was a major power imbalance between the two of them, Luna always made sure that Silver knew she didn’t care that he was weaker than she was.
Before Silver even realized it, the walls he had frantically put up the night he ran away had been torn down. Silver, now eight, found it ironic how a goddess he’d only known for maybe five months possibly had more of his trust than his own father did.
“Hey! Human!”
The voice of a fae child, if Silver remembered correctly his father was a knight, brought him out of his thoughts.
“What?” Silver asked, looking over from his place on the training field to where the fae was standing on the sidelines.
“Who gave a human like you permission to train here at BlackScale castle?” The fae child asked, walking over to where Silver was standing.
Silver couldn’t help but take a hesitant step back, a bit intimidated. The fae was older than him, likely closer to about thirteen or fourteen in human years, and close to a foot taller than Silver. “Don’t walk away from me.” The fae snapped.
Silver immediately stopped moving out of habit. When had it become habit to obey fae?
“Huh. So you do know how to listen?” The fae asked.
Silver didn’t respond, he wasn’t entirely sure how to. He was never good at social interactions. Luckily with Malleus and Sebek he was either allowed to exist in peaceful silence with Malleus or with Sebek the younger did most of the talking for both of them. And with Luna talking felt too natural for Silver to have to think about. Not like now.
Apparently, staying silent, especially for as long as Silver did, was not the correct response. The fae grabbed him by the ear, yanking Silver forward, making him yelp in pain. “I asked, who gave you permission to train here?” The fae asked, yanking on his ear again to emphasize his question. Emphasize that Silver shouldn’t be here.
“Lord Malleus! Lord Malleus did!” Silver said loudly, panic coating his usually soft voice, tears brimming his bright aurora eyes from the pain.
The fae’s face twisted in rage and he yanked Silver’s ear again, hard enough that Silver wondered if the fae was trying to rip it off Silver’s body. “Liar! Lord Malleus would never allow a human to train here! He’d never allow such filth to dirty this place!” The fae yelled, clearly angered by Silver’s truthful response.
“I’m not lying! I’m not!” Silver said desperately, tears finally falling down his face.
How shameful.
He didn’t deserve to cry.
“Hey! You there! Let him go!”
The sudden cry from a familiar voice made Silver look over to the entrance of the palace, seeing Sebek’s mother and Sebek trailing not too far behind.
That’s right. He was meant to meet up here with Sebek for training today. Lilia had dropped Silver off before Sebek and his mother had gotten here, so Silver had started warming up before this fae showed up.
The fae recognized her as Baur’s daughter and immediately let go of Silver’s ear. Silver quickly dropped his practice sword and covered his now red and stinging ear with both hands.
“My lady!” The fae said, startled.
Sebek rushed over to them, hugging Silver close protectively, whereas his mother walked at her usual pace. Though Silver could tell just by her expression that she was furious.
“What. Do you think you’re doing?” Sebek’s mother asked the fae child, her nose scrunched up in fury.
“He’s a human. I was ensuring that he wasn’t trespassing. And he tried to lie and say that lord Malleus gave him permission to train here.” The fae hurriedly explained.
“Malleus did give him permission to train here, as well as Sebek.” Sebek’s mother said defensively.
Silver tuned out their conversation as background noise, though he could tell that Sebek’s mother was trying not to raise her voice at the child. Silver felt bad.
“Silver?”
Sebek’s voice brought Silver out of his thoughts, making him look at his friend.
“Yes?” Silver asked.
“Are you okay?” Sebek asked, his voice unusually quiet and worried. He always got like this when Silver was hurt. His usual loud and proud nature dimming to quietness and soft, badly hidden worry.
Silver wondered why. Why did Sebek get so worried about a human like him.
“I’m okay.” Silver lied without even thinking. When had lying about how he was feeling become so normal, practically second nature, to him?
Somewhere in Silver’s heart, he felt bad for always lying to his friend and family. They didn’t deserve his traitorous deceit. But on the other hand, Silver didn’t want to burden them with how he was actually feeling. They didn’t need to worry about him when he could take care of himself.
Sebek visibly hesitated to believe him but nodded politely anyway. “Okay.” Sebek said softly.
With Sebek quiet, Silver looked back over to where Sebek’s mother was still lecturing the fae child. Silver couldn’t help but stare at the fae’s ears. His pointed ears. So different from Silver’s round ears.
He knew that it was one of the most obvious physical differences between fae and human. Perhaps that’s why the fae chose to yank on his ear instead of his hair. Maybe…
~*-------------------------*~
“Is it bad that my ears are round?”
Silver’s sudden question cutting through the calm quiet of the dream realm made Luna look away from the dream she was holding to where Silver was sitting by her feet, surprised.
After a moment of silence for Luna to process the question her little human had asked, she responded. “Of course not. Why would you even think that?” Luna said firmly, a bit of worry finding its way into her voice.
“Everyone else, all the fae, have pointed ears… and even you have horse ears… I’m the weird one.” Silver said quietly. He knew that his logic sounded flawed, even to his own ears. But he stilled worried.
Luna’s expression softened, and she lowered herself to sit beside him. “Even if your ears are different from everyone else’s, that is no fault of yours for one. It is simply a fact of species.” Luna said softly, though her voice remained firm in that way that allowed Silver to believe her almost no matter what she said.
“But… Isn’t it bad that it’s so obvious I’m weaker?” Silver asked hesitantly.
“No, of course not. And being human doesn’t make you weaker. If anything, I believe you’re strong. To get back up no matter what this world throws at you, continue to work at becoming a knight to protect your prince. That’s true strength.” Luna assured.
A part of Silver didn’t want to believe her. And he didn’t fully believe her. How could being human be anything but a bad thing? And just because he was too stubborn to stay down when he probably should, didn’t make him strong.
Silver didn’t fully believe her. But a small part of him did, and that was more than enough for him to relax for the first time since that fae had pulled his ear earlier that day.
“Besides,” Luna said, her wing stretching out to pull Silver against his side affectionately and gently. “I like your ears.” Luna said gently, reaching up to trace the outline of Silver’s ear.
“Really?” Silver asked, torn between leaning his head against her side and leaning into the gentle touch on his ear.
“Really.” Luna confirmed.
Silver leaned his head against her side and her hand followed, continuing to trace the outline of his ear gently and softly. In such a way that Silver was able to believe his round ears weren’t a bad thing.
~*-----2-----*~
“Do you have to go?” Silver asked as he watched his father pack for a trip. If Silver remembered correctly, Lilia said that he’d be going to the Queendom of Roses.
Lilia turned away from his suitcase to smile softly at his son. “I don’t have to go, but it’s for fun. And I’ll see you when I get back.” Lilia said, walking over to pat Silver on his head.
Silver let himself melt into the touch. He usually tried to hide his clingier side, even before he found out that him and Lilia weren’t biologically related, having been embarrassed by it. Silver’s want to hide it only increased after finding out, finding shame in wanting so much affection from someone he was already indebted to. So, he hid it.
But with Lilia about to leave for over a week on a vacation, another one that Silver wasn’t allowed to come on, he let himself melt under the attention of someone he so desperately craved affection from.
Lilia’s expression softened at Silver’s reaction to the head pat before he turned and resumed packing. Silver let himself grieve the touch.
~*--------------------*~
“Alright, you know the drill right?” Lilia asked, turning to look at Silver who stood in the doorframe of their cottage.
“Yes father. There’s food in the icebox, either Malleus or one of Sebek’s parents will come by in three days to check up on me and drop off more food, then again a couple days before you get home. If there’s an emergency or I feel unsafe go to the Zigvolt’s since their closer than BlackScale palace. Take care of the cottage, if I let any of my animal friends in I need to make sure that they don’t make a mess.” Silver said, reciting the usual rules Lilia has set for him whenever he leaves the cottage for an extended period of time.
Lilia smiled at him. “Good, I’ll see you in about ten days.” Lilia said. He bent down and kissed Silver’s forehead before disappearing in a flurry of pink.
Silver nodded, letting his soft smile drop once Lilia was gone.
He always did this. Put on a soft, happy smile for his father, talked about how he hoped Lilia had a good trip and couldn’t wait for Lilia to get back and hear about the travels.
Then, once Lilia was gone, Silver let the act drop, let the mask crack and fall apart. Silver let the smile fall from his face, replaced with something between numb and sad.
~*-------------------------------*~
Silver sat down on the no-floor of Luna’s dream realm as she filtered through dreams, attempting to see if there were any nightmares that someone needed saving from. They couldn’t do so in Silver’s dream realm yet, as the dreams that appeared in his were the ones of those close to him. Luna had explained that more would appear in time, but due to him being young, his dream walking could only extend to those he knew well.
Silver wished he could go to Lilia’s dream. But he hated to admit that he was a bit scared to do so, worried about what he might find. And while Silver wouldn’t admit it, he preferred spending time with Luna while in the dream realm.
Silver leaned against Luna’s legs. He didn’t want to say it, but he didn’t think he had the energy to save someone tonight, even if at times, he walked away with someone he might be able to call a friend.
Luna noticed Silver’s expression and strange tiredness. While Silver was usually tired while awake, he was usually wide awake while within the dream realm. “What has you so upset, child?” Luna asked, gently letting go of the dream she had been holding and letting it float away in the no-wind again.
“Father left again…” Silver responded sadly, hugging his knees to his chest.
“Left? Again? Whatever do you mean?” Luna asked, her expression turning a mix of anger and worried as she sat down beside Silver.
“Father occasionally goes on little trips for a few weeks… He’s off to the Queendom of roses for about ten days, maybe a little longer.” Silver explained, leaning into Luna’s side for the comfort that came from being close to her.
Luna’s expression turned stormy, but she schooled it before Silver could see. She understood how Silver’s mindset was, likely better than those fae did, so she knew she had to be careful with how she reacted to things around Silver. She didn’t want him thinking that she was mad at him for something that would never be his fault.
“Who’s with you right now then?” Luna asked. She knew that Silver’s friend, Sebek, had parents that were rather close to Silver, close enough for their dreams to appear in his dream realm. Were they taking care of him?
“No one. Usually, Sebek’s parents or Malleus checks on me every now and then when father leaves, but no one stays at the cottage with me.” Silver explained.
“No one is taking care of you?” Luna asked, worried and angry.
While Luna certainly didn’t have a normal childhood, given that she was raised by her sister, but Celestia made sure that she was never alone for so long.
And from the many interactions that Luna had with other children she had helped through nightmares at times, she knew that leaving your child alone in a cottage in the middle of nowhere for days, weeks, on end was not a good thing. In any manner.
Silver shook his head.
Luna felt rage cloud her mind, enough so that her horn pulsed with sparks of magic angrily.
However, a sudden thought coming to his mind calmed her. “I have an idea.” Luna said suddenly.
Silver looked up at her, confused and intrigue making its way onto his face. “What is it?” Silver asked, curiosity sparkling in his aurora eyes.
“You will see. You will have to trust me, but tomorrow night, don’t go to sleep when you normally would, okay?” Luna said softly, trailing her fingers through his hair gently.
Silver was a bit hesitant at that request. It sounded odd, considering when he slept was the only time that he got to see Luna, but Silver had learned by now to trust her. “Okay Luna.” Silver responded.
~*-------------------------*~
Silver yawned as the grandfather clock in the short hallway of the cottage chimed, signaling that it was close to nine o’clock. Normally Silver was in bed by now, but Luna’s instructions kept him awake.
He didn’t know what her plan was, but he had learned by now to trust Luna. She may work in strange or mysterious ways, preferring to nudge Silver towards the answer and watch proudly as he found it, but he trusted her.
So, if she wanted him to stay awake, then he would, even if it confused him.
The sudden sound of heels clicking against wood made Silver’s head snap up from the book he’d been reading, only to see Luna standing in front of him.
“Luna?!” Silver yelped in surprise, staring at the woman before him. She looked almost the exact same as she did in the dream realm, the only difference being that she now had an almost ethereal glow around her.
Luna smiled at his reaction, no doubt amused by his shock. “Yes, it’s me.” Luna replied gently.
“But… How are you here? Did I accidentally fall asleep?” Silver asked. He didn’t think so. He’d been getting better at realizing when something was a dream and something was reality, even without Luna appearing. But perhaps his ability was going a bit haywire.
Luna chuckled, her eyes momentarily closing in amusement before she opened them again. “Not at all, you are wide awake, starlight.” Luna said softly.
“Then… How are you here? I thought you were stuck in the moon?” Silver asked, standing up to walk over to Luna.
“I… Am not really here. I am using my magic to project my form down here, in Twisted Wonderland. I had to wait for night because I needed an accumulation of moonlight down here, but now that I’m here, I can stay during the day. At least until your father returns.” Luna explained.
Silver felt his eyes sparkle, the same way they did when Luna said something that amazed him, the same way that made Luna’s heart melt and endear her to her little starlight all the more.
“Really? That’s so cool! Oh, and now I can introduce you to my animal friends and I can show you around the cottage and the forest!” Silver said excitedly, already thinking of everything he could show Luna in the waking world.
Silver had talked to his animal friends about Luna before, and vise versa, but he’d never actually gotten to introduce them to her.
Luna felt her heart warm at the excitedly babbling of Silver. She had heard much of the forest animals from Silver. They seemed to be one of the few constant companies he has here, often spending time with him and crowding around him whenever he accidentally fell asleep.
~*-------------------*~
Silver yawned, feeling close to falling asleep on the table as Luna put away the chess board and pieces they’d been playing with. It’d been about an hour since Luna had appeared and they had decided to play some chess to pass the time since the woodland creatures were all asleep.
“I believe it’s time for you to get some sleep, starlight.” Luna said softly.
“Okay…” Silver said softly. He felt a bit disheartened that his first in-person hangout with Luna had to be so short because he needed to sleep.
Luna noticed, as she always did with him, and her expression softened. “Don’t worry, we can play more tomorrow and in the dream realm, and you can introduce me to your forest friends.” Luna said softly, walking over to Silver.
Silver perked up a bit at that, feeling a bit happier. “Yeah, I can’t wait.” Silver said, smiling.
Luna picked Silver up gently and started walking towards his bedroom. Silver would have normally complained and said that he could walk on his own, but Luna’s hugs and embraces were always so warm and gentle. And right now Silver was able to acknowledge that if he were to try to walk, odds are he’d fall from sleepiness.
“And I have another idea.” Luna said softly as she walked up the stairs to the second floor of the cottage.
“Hm?” Silver asked sleepily.
“Do you remember how fascinated you were when I had told you I was the one who created the stars?” Luna asked.
“Yeah, it was so cool, and I wished I could create something as pretty as the constellations.” Silver replied softly, yawning towards the end of his sentence.
“Well…” Luna said, trying and failing to keep her own excited smile from reaching her face. Opening Silver’s bedroom door with magic, she stepped inside as she resumed talking. “How about I teach you how to make stars yourself tomorrow night?” Luna asked.
Now that woke Silver up. The boy perked up happily, looking at the alicorn with wide, sparkling eyes. “Really?! Do you really mean that?!” Silver asked happily, beaming up at her with all the excitement in the world.
Luna chuckled, setting Silver down on his bed. “Yes.” Luna replied sincerely.
Silver suddenly calmed down, looking more hesitant. “Do you really think I’d be able to…?” Silver asked hesitantly, a hint of his insecurity showing through in the question.
Luna’s expression softened, her pony ears angling down ever so slightly at how hesitant her little starlight sounded, how much he doubted his own power. “I know you can. You have more strength than you think, little starlight.” Luna replied softly.
Silver smiled, a softer and more fragile smile than the ones he had earlier that night, but it was a smile nonetheless.
And it was one Luna would protect.
~*-----3-----*~
Silver would admit, no he wouldn’t admit it out loud, that not having a last name was still foreign to him.
For the first seven years of his life, he had assumed his last name was the same as his father’s, Vanrouge. But after Silver had learned he and Lilia weren’t biologically related Lilia saw fit to let him know that Silver had never officially adopted, they didn’t share a last name.
Even months after learning that, it still stung.
Because it was a bitter reminder that Silver didn’t matter to Lilia. He was a temporary distraction, some passing entertainment that would be useful one day for a short time and then die.
That was all he was to Lilia.
But that was fine. Even if he was just entertainment to Lilia, at least others thought that he was Lilia’s son, at least he was Lilia’s family…
“Hey, who’s that?” Silver glanced over from where he was training to where to young fae were talking. Lilia had a meeting with the queen and had brought Silver along to the palace so he could train.
Silver slowed his movements, a bit curious despite knowing it was usually wrong to eavesdrop.
“Huh? Him?” The other fae, he had brown hair, asked, pointing to Silver.
Silver quickly looked down at his sword, not wanting to be caught and reprimanded for listening to them. But it didn’t seem like a private conversation.
“Yeah, him.” The first fae, one with black hair, responded, curious.
“Oh, he’s just an orphan.” The brown haired fae responded.
Silver froze at that, his eyes going wide. What?
“I thought he came in with master Lilia though, and master Lilia has a son doesn’t he?” The black haired fae asked, sounding confused.
“Yeah. Everyone calls him master Lilia’s son because he’s raising him, but master Lilia never legally adopted him, the kid doesn’t even have a last name. In the eyes of the law the kid’s an orphan.” The brown haired fae explained.
Silver felt his heart breaking into pieces.
It should have been obvious when Lilia told him that he had never been legally adopted, but for some reason it hadn’t registered in his mind.
Silver was an orphan to everyone, even those who knew that Lilia was raising him.
The everyone else Silver was an orphan. He had no family.
Especially not Lilia.
“Dude, he’ll hear you, the poor kid doesn’t deserve that, quiet down!” The black haired fae said quietly but sternly.
Under normal circumstances, Silver would have thanked the fae profusely for caring about his feelings, logically Silver knew he should be thanking the fae. But it felt like Silver’s world had been ripped out from under him, and it felt like he didn’t have the strength to continue breathing, let alone let words of gratitude spill from his lips.
“Oh, come on! The kid’s human, he can’t hear us. And even if he couldn’t he probably couldn’t make out what we’re saying. You know as well as I do they have subpar hearing.” The brown haired fae said.
Silver didn’t have the heart to correct him and say that he could hear them – he never did, he never corrected a fae when it came to assumptions about him anymore. Because in the end the brown haired fae was right. Silver was an orphan.
Someone Lilia hadn’t even seen as worthy enough to adopt him in the eyes of the law, let alone pass on his last name to.
It made a painful amount of sense that Lilia wouldn’t want someone as weak as Silver to carry on his family legacy.
And that stung more than any injury he could accidentally inflict on himself during training could.
~*----------------------------*~
Luna had learned by now to detect when there was something wrong with her apprentice that he was hiding. Silver had done it multiple times already, and it had just passed one year of her training him.
So, when Silver had been completely quiet throughout their dream walking that night, Luna knew something was wrong.
Luna wondered if she should ask him what was wrong, as she had done the last time, or if it would be better to allow Silver to come to her. On one hand she didn’t want to push him into telling her, but on the other hand she didn't want him to bottle up his troubles.
Especially considering that she didn’t know of the human limits, especially young human limits, and how much bottled up emotions and magic it took for someone to overblot.
Luna’s ‘overblot’ had been almost entirely emotional, anger and sadness and neglect piled up over centuries. But she was unaware of how that would translate to humans.
“Luna…?” Silver suddenly asked while they were taking a break in a scape conjured by Luna. It was not too different from what Luna had conjured the first time they met, only now a large lake shimmered beneath the faux eternal moonlight.
“Yes, starlight?” Luna answered, her focus turning to her apprentice. Silver had slowly been opening up more and more to her, so she hoped this was one of those times and he would let her comfort him.
“In Equestria, where or when you came from… Was it… unusual to not have a last name?” Silver asked hesitantly.
Luna blinked in surprise at that question. Was this what was upsetting him? How odd… Well, no harm in answering. “Well, to put it simply, no, it was not unusual to have surname.” Luna answered.
“Really?” Silver asked, sounding hopeful.
“No. Families were still linked through names, just not in the sense you’re used to.” Luna explained.
All of Silver’s hope seemed to wilt. “What do you mean…?” Silver asked hesitantly, sounding almost dejected.
“Well, most families had some sort of name scheme. For example, my sister was named Celestia. Both of us were named after celestial bodies.” Luna said.
Silver practically wilted at that, hunching in on himself. “Oh…” Was all that escaped his lips.
Luna’s gaze softened in concern. “Why do you ask?” Luna asked, hoping Silver would open up to her.
“My… My father never legally adopted me… In the eyes of the law, I’m still an orphan, so I don’t have a last name…” Silver explained, wiping his watery eyes.
Luna felt her ears pin back against her head. “Pardon?” Luna asked.
How could Silver’s father not have legally adopted him? Was he unaware of how much of an effect that seemed to have on Silver? And even beyond that, why was he taking care of Silver as a parent then?
Luna knew that Silver’s situation was unique, and she would forever be thankful that he wasn’t forced to live in an orphanage, but how and why was this allowed?
“I… I see…” Luna said, her voice stiff in an attempt to not let her anger show.
“I know it’s stupid to be upset about it, especially since I knew me and him weren’t related… But I wanted something to tie me to him… Something to show that I’m not… not alone…” Silver said, the tears in his eyes now falling down his cheeks despite his attempts to wipe them away.
Luna scooted closer to him and wrapped her wing around him, pulling him closer and into a side hug. “I’m sorry… You’re not alone, no matter what… I will always be here with you…” Luna said softly. “And I’m sure some of those others care about you as well.”
Silver sniffled. “Thank you…” Silver said softly, his voice almost a whisper.
A thought entered Luna’s mind. “Silver?” Luna asked.
“Yes?” Silver answered, wiping his tears and looking up at her.
“Would you like me to give you a last name?” Luna asked.
Silver made a noise of confusion. “I thought you didn’t have a last name to pass on?” Silver asked.
“I don’t. But I could create one. It would not be known by others, or the law, but it would be known by the dream realm, the stars and the moon, the very night itself.” Luna said, trailing her fingers through Silver’s hair.
Silver’s eyes sparkled, shimmering like the stars Luna had hung by hand. “You would really do that…?” Silver asked.
“Yes. You are my apprentice and friend. If it would comfort you to have a last name that links you to someone, I shall do so.” Luna responded, a calm yet soft smile spreading on her face.
“Okay!” Silver said happily.
“Hm… Well to stick with a night like theme… What about Artemisia? As I recall, the name is linked to the night and moon.” Luna suggested.
Silver hummed slightly in thought. “Silver Artemisia… I love it!” Silver said happily, hugging Luna. “Thank you, thank you, thank you Luna!” Silver exclaimed happily with a soft giggle.
Luna felt her heart practically melt at Silver’s childlike joy at something so simple, something that should have been simple. “Of course, starlight.” Luna responded.
~*-----+1-----*~
Luna had been acting strange.
It was hard to tell, but Silver noticed the little things.
Luna’s smiles were tighter than before, she seemed tired, in the way that Silver got occasionally in the waking world. It didn’t happen when Luna knew Silver was looking, but he caught the way her ears would sometimes turn down.
He didn’t know a lot about her species, but he did know that when fae’s ears turned down like that it usually wasn’t good.
Had Silver done something wrong? Maybe he’d upset her somehow.
Silver had been down that spiral of self-doubt and worry as they walked through dreams, banishing nightmares to save the dreamer. It was one specific dream that made Silver realize what was going on.
The dream belonged to little girl, ten, Silver believes. She was lost and unable to find her older sister. Luna and Silver were able to lead her back to the dream version of her sister.
It was there that Silver noted the way Luna’s ears were down, her smile tight and melancholic.
It was then that it dawned on Silver. “Are you homesick…?” Silver asked innocently, worry in his voice.
Luna blinked in surprise, coming out of whatever thoughts had been occupying her mind and she looked over to Silver. “Pardon?” Luna asked.
“You’ve seemed rather said lately… And with this dream…” Silver glanced back over to the girl and her older sister, currently hugging, before his gaze returned to Luna. “You seem homesick…” Silver concluded.
Luna sighed, her shoulders dropping. “I suppose I am. I never imagined I would be again. It’s been so many centuries since I lost my sister, my home. I had assumed that by now I would’ve gotten over it.” Luna explained.
“You don’t have to get over it. Losing that much can’t be easy. You have a right to be upset.” Silver said, trying to comfort her.
“Thank you, starlight. I appreciate that more than you know.” Luna said.
Silver could tell that his words helped some, but he knew that words alone could never heal that aching. He wanted to be able to help her.
Perhaps he could…
~*---------------------*~
Silver was up to something.
Luna didn’t know what, and she knew that it wasn’t anything bad – Luna didn’t think Silver had in him to be up to anything truly bad – but it was strange.
Silver was normally far more open with her, especially after so long of Luna training him.
Silver had very purposely been steering them away from his dreamscape, and he would occasionally ask questions about what her homeland was like. She didn’t mind, she was glad that he was curious, she found it endearing, but it was unusual. Especially given that he was able to rather easily conclude that she was homesick just two weeks ago.
But, as he always seemed to do, Silver answered her questions one night.
“Luna? Can I show you my dreamscape? I changed it around for a surprise.” Silver said, seeming nervous about whatever he had changed.
Luna wondered why. She would never judge him for changing the appearance of his dreamscape. It was his dreamscape after all.
“Of course.” Luna responded. She was a bit curious. Perhaps this was why he’d purposely kept her away from his dreamscape the last couple of weeks.
~*-------------------*~
Upon arriving in Silver’s dreamscape, it was clear that it was different. Rather than the auroral plane of existence, it was a rather dreary forest.
“Well this is… interesting.” Luna said. She was rather confused, but she didn’t want to outright insult her apprentice.
Silver smiled. “There’s more, follow me.” Silver said.
Luna allowed Silver to lead her through the fake woods that seemed familiar in a way, but she couldn’t place her finger on how.
But after a few short moments, the two came to a ravine with a staircase going down to the bottom, and a bridge across to the other side. And on the other side of the ravine, Luna saw a castle. Almost an exact copy of the Castle of The Two Sisters, the place she and Celestia once called home.
It wasn’t a perfect replica, some of the gargoyles were different, the roofing wasn’t as smooth, and some of the windows were too high. But it was so similar.
Luna felt her body freeze in shock at the sight of it. Silver gently took her hand, leading her across the bridge to the castle. The doors opened and the torches lit up on their own upon their entrance, similarly to how they did in the real castle. Silver led her to the throne room, where the tapestries sat behind either respective throne.
They weren’t the exact same as they had been in the real castle, but they were still surprisingly similar.
Silver stopped, turning to look at her, awaiting her response. “Well…? What do you think?” Silver asked.
Luna opened her mouth to speak, but couldn’t find her voice. Silver grimaced at the silence, worried. “I-I know it’s probably not the exact same, but I tried to get it as close to what you described as possible. I-I thought that this would be a nice surprise for you and maybe help you. I-I understand if you don’t like it as it might not be good but-“
“It’s amazing, Silver.” Luna cut him off gently.
Silver looked up hesitantly. “Really?” Silver asked.
Luna reached up to wipe her watery eyes, unwilling to let tears of nostalgia and gratitude fall. “Yes. I love it.” Luna said honestly.
Silver sighed in relief, a smile stretching across his face. “I’m so glad.” Silver said.
Luna was still surprised. Her apprentice had done all this to comfort her. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so appreciated.
She stilled missed her home, her sister. Perhaps that longing would never go away completely, perhaps that is truly what it means to grieve, to lose something precious. And Luna couldn’t explain it, but this had soothed the ache in her heart quite a lot.
It brought her comfort to know that she wasn’t alone.
“Oh!” Silver suddenly perked up, bringing Luna out of her thoughts. “I remembered that you said you and your sister placed traps all throughout the palace, so I tried to put a bunch of them in different places.” Silver said, pride and joy clear as the moon’s light in his voice.
Luna’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Well, how about we play around with them then?” Luna said.
Silver’s eyes gleamed with the same bit of mischief as the two of them ran off, shrieks of laughter and joy soon filling the castle.