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Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli flew through the air, humming softly as she gazed down at the strange pony people. She did quite like them now. she flew down, completely ignoring the gates and just landing outside Luna's room(probably setting off so many alarms and guards), before sticking her head in.

"Luna? Are you here?" she asked, walking into the room and glancing about. Absolutely no sense of privacy.
Princess Luna      People flying overhead isn't unusual in Equestria. They have pegasii after all. But, when Lapis moves in over the castle grounds, there is indeed an alarm that goes up and several guards start shouting. When Lapis lands right on Luna's balcony and peeks in, they panic! "She's going for Princess Luna!!"

     Luna blinks in surprise when Lapis sticks her head in. The pony princess is in a normal white t-shirt and pale blue short shorts, obviously dressed for comfort, and has a game controller in her hands and a cookie stuck in her mouth. What game is she playing? Seems to be a tactical shooter game on a next gen console. Which she quickly shuts off with her magic and hides the controller behind her back before laughing nervously. "Ha..hahaha...L-lapis! What a surprise! Thou really should have entered through the gates, or at least checked with the gu-"

     The door suddenly bursts open and six tall, pure white stallions dressed in full plate armor and holding long spears blitz into the room. "Secure the princess!!" the commander shouts, and they form a circle around Luna before holding their spears at Lapis. Luna can be heard struggling to get through them. "C-captain Shining Armor! Please calm thyself! It is merely Lapis Lazuli! She is not a danger to me or to any of us!" Luna grunts out before dissolving into a bluish cloud of ethereal mist and flowing out before reforming in front of Lapis and holding her arms out protectively, facing the guards.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked a few times, cocking her head to the side. She stared at the guards then at the princess. Finally... "Why would I come through the gates? That would have taken more time and required me to land. It was far easier and faster to just land inside your room."

She then paused and looks to them, then her. "Why are they trying to protect you? Do they not realize how powerful you are? If I was going to threaten you, I would never do it like this." Pause. "I would merely throw your ocean at your city. It's on a cliff. It would be easy to make it fall down."

Lapis was not what you would call a... people person. "Wait, your world does have an ocean, does it not?" Nope, not a people person at all.
Princess Luna      Luna, who had been facing the guards, turns slightly and looks over her shoulder at Lapis as she speaks up. The princess gets a slightly confused expression, which slowly transitions to one of slight amusement and exasperation. "They are guards, Lapis. It is their job to protect all citizens of Equestria from perceived threats. I may be powerful, but I have limits. A good guard might be able to help at any time." she explains, then...sighs. "Also, it is not wise to theorize about methods of attack in the presence of guards. Especially guard captains."

     Lapis might notice a certain white unicorn with a blue mane and tail that is giving her a very scrutinous gaze. "Are you sure she is an ally, princess?" he asks even as he motions for the guards to lower their weapons.

     Luna giggles a bit awkwardly. "I am, captain. Please, everything is alright. Stand down and cease the alert. When have we ever had an enemy who approached so quietly and caused no destruction at all upon arrival?"

     Captain Shining Armor considers, then nods at that. "I see your point, princess. Alright men! Stand down and resecure the castle!" With that, the guards bow before leaving. Luna lets out a sigh of relief, then smiles to Lapis. "Please forgive them. They were only doing their job."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked and cocked her head to the side. "I... see. So they are to keep you safe? Oh! But they have no need to worry!" She then hugged Luna. "Because you and I are one and the same!" Aw, that was sweet. "We are both horrible monsters who are much in deservement of being punished! I can see that you too are suffering greatly, yes? That seems to be a strange game with weird movements and commands. Were you afraid the guards would discover your punishement? Is that why you hid it so fast?"

She paused. "And was the cookie part of the punishment? And these garments?" She tugged on the shirt. "I have seen one much like it when I look into the windows of others, but rarely during the day. Aside from on the beach."

She then sat on her bed. If any of those guards were outside they were probably getting quite the story. 'And fret not, Luna. I would never come and destroy your nation or your people. Steven would be very, very mad at me. Oh, and you're my friend! Yes, we are friends now, right? And friends do not destroy each other." she said with an altogether happy nod. she... seemed oddly chipper today.
Princess Luna      Luna blinks in surprise when Lapis hugs her, then giggles a bit and hugs back. Until the horrible monsters part. Luna deflates a bit. "We are not monsters, Lapis. Monsters would not be sorry for what they had done." she says, then blinks before giving the gem on Lapis's back a little rub with a finger.

     Luna giggles again as she releases the hug and listens to Lapis some more. "I am not longer being punished. My sister felt that 1000 years of banishment and purification by the Elements of Harmony was enough to absolve me of my transgressions. And as far as I know, my subjects hold no animosity toward me. They apparently even enjoy being scared by me on Nightmare Night."

     She sits on the bed beside Lapis and nods, slipping an arm around Lapis's shoulders. "We are friends, yes. Thou may find it difficult to believe, but I consider my kingdom and its people perfectly safe even with thee around." she says, then smirks lightly. "And yes, we do have an ocean. Thou art welcome to visit it, but please do not try to shift it about."

     Luna gives Lapis a little squeeze, then smiles. "Thy spirits seem high today, Lapis. Art thou also finally absolved?"
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli lays her head on the other woman's shoulder, a big grin on her face. "No. We are not absolved. But, our punishment... it has been..." She gave a little sqwee. "Complete! we have defeated the boss! As the screen said once we had completed the task, a winner is us. It was a difficult three stages, but we performed it!"

Unfortunately... wellll.... that was just the first world. She had no idea there were others. "I wished to come and celebrate! And I knew of no others I could celebrate with!" She paused and looked her up and down.

"Purification? As per... fire? And... they enjoy being frightened? Of you? That seems so... strange. Why would someone enjoy being afraid? Being... afraid is horrible..."
Princess Luna      Luna smiles warmly when Lapis lays her head against Luna. When she hears the source of Lapis's mirth, Luna giggles and gives her another squeeze. "I see! Congratulations! We must choose a proper way to celebrate!" she says, then blinks at the questions. "No no, not with fire. The Elements of Harmony. They are special artifacts that can purge evil. The Elements themselves will often determine how best to purify someone, but with me they broke the shell of darkness and anger that had cloaked me and brought what I really wanted back to the surface, allowing my sister and me to reconcile as well as allowing me to see past my blind ambitions to what I had really been doing. I still must guard myself to ensure I do not repeat such mistakes, but it seems all of Equestria has forgiven me."

     As for the second question, Luna shrugs lightly and giggles a bit. "I am not sure I understand it myself, but...I suppose it is more of a playful fear? They are not truly afraid, only mildly frightened which somehow increases their enjoyment of the spooky and fun activities that take place during Nightmare Night. And it gives me a way to interface with my subjects without them feeling the pressure of my title."

     Luna hugs Lapis again after that. "But, yes...being truly afraid is horrible. My first Nightmare Night...I inspired that sort of fear rather than the fun variety."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli nodded, glancing up at her. Then... "Do... you believe... the elements would work on me?" she asked sheepishly. "Get rid of... my evil?" Oh, they'd probably just make her glow like a rainbow for a while. But purify her? Steven had already done that. Now she just needed therapy. A whole lot of therapy. So much therapy.

"If... that would be okay. and... can you show me? This fear? Perhaps... a fun fear would be... nice?" she asked, though she didn't seem that... into it. But then she'd known fear for so long.

"And then perhaps after you could teach me more of how to cook? I would like to know how you eat your food here?" She'd probably end up eating some of the silverwear.
Princess Luna      Luna considers a moment. "I do not believe the Elements of Harmony would work on thee." she says. She is quiet a moment, then smiles warmly again. "Because thou art not evil, nor corrupt, nor purposely destructive. I have listened to thy stories of the past, but they are just that. The past. Thou art working to better thyself, to make amends for thy actions, and to keep thyself from performing such actions in the future. There would be nothing for the Elements to purify! Thou hast purfied thyself quite effectively already."

     The request for a fun fear makes Luna blink, then hmm. "I...have been told that my sense of humor is sometimes off, but I could try." she says. Luna ponders a few moments, then shakes her head. "There must be a certain atmosphere for an effective instance of fun fear. I do not believe we have such an atmosphere at this time." she says, smiling again afterword. "As for cooking, if thou really wishes to learn it, I am not the best teacher. My own cooking experience is rudimentary at best. We shall visit a local establishment and request that thee be allowed to watch the expert chefs in their kitchen." she says.

     Luna stands after that, then her horn glows brightly and a pale light flows over her, cloaking her form. The cloak of pale blue light shatters a few moments later, leaving Luna in one of her typical flowing dresses. "Art thou ready?" she asks, holding out a hand.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli nodded, frowning. "Really? But I do so many horrible things. Well, I did so many horrible things. Now that I've.. fused a few times it is not quite as... terrifying." She then reached out and took the hand. Her own gem glowed and... she replaced her dress with the kimono. she seemed to have not grasped the concept of why the princess changed. On the other hand, the kimono did look fancier.

She smiled and followed along with her. "Really? But I'd much rather watch you cook. Steven says the most important thing in food is love. And I feel you have much more love for me than your servants, yes?" Pause. "They did apparently think I meant you harm, after all." She doesn't really understand love yet, or the servants.

"But if the servants are the only ones who can cook, that will do. I'm not really planning to eat much of it, though."
Princess Luna      Luna blushes a bit at that. "W-well...I suppose I cannot refuse such a request from a friend. But, do not worry about my subjects. They harbor no ill-will toward you." Luna smiles as Lapis changes clothes as well, then hmms. "If I am to attempt cooking...we should use the royal kitchen!"

     Still holding Lapis's hand, Luna starts down the hall. And more halls. And through doors and more halls. The castle is rather vast. Finally, they arrive at a large, extravagant kitchen. There are a few chefs and servers about, but not many. The royal kitchen does not see as much use as the servants kitchen, since mostly just the royal meals and meals for important visitors are prepared here by the top chefs in Equestria.

     And those chefs and servers seem quite surprised to see Luna step into the kitchen. All work comes to a halt as everyone stares, both at Luna and at Lapis.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli nodded, following along behind the other woman, looking around. "Your building is so vast. How do you know where everything is? Wouldn't it be easier to just have a few rooms?"

Still, she followed behind without incident, occasionally glancing around at the servants as they passed. They came in so many strange colorations and types. She may have tugged on Luna's wings at one point as well. "Why do your wings have feathers, but no other part of you?"

What? she was making conversation. And then they came to the kitchen and she smiled. "Please leave. We are going to perform the cooking of sustenance. We will then attempt to eat it." She paused. "You may eat of it too, if you please."
Princess Luna      Luna's wings twitch at the tugging, and she hmms. "I suppose because wings are meant to provide lift, and feathered wings are the best natural means for providing such lift." she says.

     The surprised stares turn to confused glances as Lapis makes that declaration. Luna giggles a bit, then gives an 'it is alright' wave to the staff. "It is alright. They do not need to leave, Lapis. We will simply use one of the stoves." Luna then starts toward a stove, and a still very surprised looking pastel pink pony girl with purple hair steps to the side to allow Luna use of the stove.

     "Alright...I may need assistance, Bubblegum." she says to the young chef, who seems even more surprised. Helping Luna cook? What an honor! Luna looks to Lapis after that. "What should we make? Is there a particular food of which thou art quite fond?"
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli shook her head. "Oh, no. Gems don't usually eat. I prefer foods you can drink, though." She rubbed her chin. "Perhaps... OH! I know! Let us make... pizza! Yes! Steven eats much of that and learning how would be a good experience! Is it any harder than making toast?"

Oh by the stars... Really, she should learn how to make a nice soup. Her own wings would form if needed to fly up and get things, but mostly she'd just watch and... offer assistance. She was lousy at doing the cooking herself. That and she actually TOUCHED THE BURNER WITH HER BARE HANDS to make sure it was hot. But, you know. Gem. She survived the coldness of space. And orbital re-entry. A little heat wouldn't hurt her. Also, she kept drinking the water.
Princess Luna      Both Luna and Bubblegum watch Lapis as she speaks and touches things. And both eep and try to stop her from touching the burner. And both are exchanging glances and looking back to Lapis after it seems nothing happens. "Lapis...did that not hurt?" Luna asks, motioning to the burner. "If I or my chefs were to touch a burner like that, we could easily end up with a severe burn." she says. She shrugs lightly, then smiles. "Regardless...pizza. Pizza is a relatively new concept in Equestria, as we are all vegitarians and pizza is traditionally made with..." Luna coughs lightly into a hand. "..but, many citizens of Equestria developed a taste for vegitarian varieties. I do not believe it would be hard to produce a pizza here." she says, then looks to Bubblegum. "Please retrieve for us the proper ingredients for making a pizza from scratch."

     Bubblegum nods quickly, then rushes off to gather things. What? This is how Luna cooks! ...get others to cook for her.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked and held up her hand. She then moved over to Luna and grabbed her hand and then put it to LApis shoulder. "See? My body is composed of hard light. Heat or cold that would hurt me is very rare. In fact, I have flown down to the depths of the ocean, re-entry into multiple planets and flown easily through the empty vastness of space. The burner is little to me."

She paused ad then leaned in a little closer, her face inches from Luna's and then... reached up and... pinched her cheeks, tugging on it. "You are really so easy to hurt? But I thought you were the great ruler of this world, feared and sealed for a thousand years. Can a tiny little burner really damage you that much?" .... As if Lapis has any room to talk. A light smack would pop her into dust.
Princess Luna      Luna blinks as her hand is taken, then tilts her head lightly as it is placed on Lapis's shoulder. She gives a little squeeze to test how her shoulder feels compared to Lapis's hand. Is it soft like flesh? Hard like a rock? Somewhere in between?

     Her curiousity is replaced by embarrassment when Luna's cheeks are squeezed and tugged like that. She tolerates a few moments of it before she lightly bats Lapis's hands away and flexes her jaw a few times before speaking. "If I were not prepared for it, yes." she says, then turns back toward the stove, her head lowered a bit and a slight sad expression on her face. "...I like to think I am not feared anymore." she says, then huffs, turning a slightly annoyed look to Lapis. "And, despite all my power and my status, I am still merely a pony. We cannot exist in space, or underwater, or in a fire, or any other such extreme environment without activating special powers or using special equipment. I would not say we are not sturdy, but we have limits."

     Luna regains a slight smile after that. "So, none of those things would damage thee? That is rather spectacular." she says as Bubblegum returns with a small bag of flower and several different vegetables and mushrooms, along with a container of pizza sauce. "Here you are, my princess!" Bubblegum says excitedly, obviously happy to be helping Luna directly.

     "Ah! Excellent, Bubblegum. Now please, show us the proper way to prepare a pizza dough, and all the proceeding steps to making a proper pizza." Luna says, and Bubblegum gets to work with a large mixing bowl and the flour and several other ingredients ranging from eggs to herbs.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli cocked her head to the side, nodding. Her body was soft, at least. It felt like a real human body. Albeit a blue one. It was even warm. Not human warm, but close.

She nodded, "Indeed. We don't need special protections." She then paused and hugged herself. "But... perhaps that's... not a good thing. I... lack any such defenses. So anything that would harm me would... harm me regardless of what I would do. There would be no way for me to defend myself aside from fleeing." She then eyes the little pony.

Finally... "She is named after the snack that steven sometiems eats. Is she edible? Is she like me, some kind of... rather than a gem, some kind of moving candy?" Her staff was not paid enough for this. And she was considering taking a bite out of bubblegum. Kind of... looking at her very quizzically and was probably going to end up scaring the poor girl.
Princess Luna      Luna is about to give Lapis a hug when Lapis mentions eating Bubblegum. "Ah...n-no. She is not edible." Technically she is, but Luna isn't going to say yes to something like that. "She was named Bubblegum by her parents because her her pink coloration. And I believe she is nearly always chewwing a piece of bubblegum - not herself but the candy - and is quite expert at blowing bubblegum bubbles." Luna explains, then smiles to Bubblegum.

     Bubblegum blinks, pausing in her mixing, then smiles happily and puffs her cheeks out. Her tongue is visibly working inside her mouth before with a 'fwooooo' the smaller pink pony girl blows a bubble! With her skill and talent, the bubble grows to nearly the size of the pony making it!
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli nodded, watching her. She then hunched down. Her eyes got wide. "I see! Let me try!" Oh no. She pucked up and... started making a bubble.

With water.

It kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger and... then it exploded. Water filled the air, flowing out all around them and drenching the ponies and... the kitchen.

She giggled, clapping her hands together and hopping in place. "Oh! What fun! What a delightful game! can we try again?" And she was... starting to make another one.
Princess Luna      Luna and Bubblegum are both reduced to staring again as Lapis blows a bubble of her own. "Um...Lapis?" Luna says quietly before...pop! While the bubblegum bubble is filled with air, Lapis's bubble...well, the other ponies are not happy about it. Luna reacts quickly, raising a hand as her horn glows brightly. The water that would have hit her and Bubblegum from Lapis's water balloon splits around them, drenching the stove they were working with and flowing on to soak the entire kitchen floor.

     "Stop, Lapis!" Luna demands, her voice reverberating with a booming echo that her subjects know as the Canterlot Voice. Bubblegum, having lost her concentration, is now covered over much of the front of her body with sticky pink gum.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked, froze and then sucked it back in. She then looked around and slowly the smile vanished. She took a step back and lifted her hand. All of the water in the room began to swirl up into the air, gathering by her hand and then dropping by the sink.

Unfortunately, the mess was still there. All the things it'd knocked over and were now damp. "I... I'm sorry. I was... I never meant to... I..." She pulled back, hugging herself.

"Luna, I was just... I wanted to play. Like... like the little pink girl. I didn't mean to... I am sorry..."
Princess Luna      With the danger passed, and with Lapis's display of power over the water, none of the ponies still in the room seem angry. Most are staring, even Bubblegum though she is mostly cloaked in a pink apron now. As Lapis starts to apologize, Luna moves in quickly. It might seem hostile, but...Lapis is wrapped up just as quickly in a firm hug. "I know, I know. Please, relax. No harm was done, and thou hast cleaned the mess thou made." she says.

     When Luna pulls back, Bubblegum is right up close to Lapis after somehow removing her bubblegum coating. "That was amazing! How did you just make all of that water? And that bubble was huge!" She giggles, then reaches into an apron pocket and pulls out a fairly large piece of bubblegum. "Here. Try it again. But this time, you have to use the bubblegum. You just chew it up, and once it is all squishy you blow a bubble into it. Like this!"

     The pizza is apparently forgotten (or perhaps washed away), so Bubblegum blows another bubble. Slowly, and smaller this time, so Lapis can hopefully see how it is done. "You have to use your tongue to make the gum nice and flat, and don't blow hard or you'll pop it." she says, her words slurred somewhat by her gum.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli cringed when Luna moved in. Was she going to be stricken, yelled at? No, instead she was hugged. The blue gem began to relax. Well, there were still scattered pots and pans. And electronics that were likely busted by the water.

"Amazing?" she asked, a little blue tinging her cheeks in a blush. "I... I can store some water within me. Or draw it from around. The sinks havem uch water in them from which to draw and... and I try to store as much as I can, often." She took the gum and stared at it. She then stared at the girl.

Finall she popped it into her mouth, chewed and closed her eyes. She seemed to be completely focused on the task at hand, slowly opening her mouth and... "Thptttt." She accidentally spat the gum out onto poor bubblegum's face. She stared and blinked a few times, before reaching out and grabbing it, trying again. On the third time, she managed to keep it in her mouth. On the fifth time, she made a... very tiny bubble.
Princess Luna      Luna pulls back once Lapis has relaxed, then giggles as she watches Lapis and Bubblegum. Bubblegum nods quickly at the first question. Being a normal earth pony, the pink pony girl has very little in active magical power, and even if she did moving water like that is a difficult task even for the most skilled unicorns or pegasi.

     Bubblegum lets out a cute little 'eep!' when she is hit with the gum, then blinks a few times as it is retrieved. When Lapis makes that small bubble, both Bubblegum and Luna smile, and Luna claps a bit. "Excellent! Thou shalt be blowing impressive bubbles in no time." Luna says, to which Bubblegum nods. "And if we weren't inside, I'm sure those water bubbles would be much more appreciated. Water doesn't go well with building interiors." the pink pony adds.

     Luckily, Equestria's electronic devices are pretty limited, so Lapis really didn't cause much trouble except the one stove which is drenched and doused and possibly shorted out.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli smiled and then looked really, really excited then. "Y-you think so? Oh! that sounds wonderful!" Ah, positive encouragement works so well on her. Distressingly well, to be honest. She blows another small bubble and, after a bit, she manages to blow a... fairly large one. A few inches wide.

She'd look to Luna for more praise and, once she got it, she stepped forward and ugged her, arms around her neck and...

And she pushed in, lips to lips, giving her a kiss.

In front of her cooks.

Now, it was just lips to lips, quick and simple, before pulling back with a big smile. "I am learning so much, Luna! Thank you! Now, shall we create the pizza?"
Princess Luna      Luna nods cheerfully at the question. "Of course! Why, just look at thy progress in only a few minutes!" she says. Lapis moves in and hugs her, and Luna hugs back. Wait..around the neck? Luna's eyes flick to Lapis's arms, then back to Lapis's face. Luna's eyes widen, and...

     Silence. Broken by Bubblegum's bubble popping. Even though it was just a quick peck, the chefs that were nearby stare in surprise. Others notice the staring and start asking what happened, and soon there are giggles and chuckles all over as the kitchen staff quietly start rumors of what might explain what they saw.

     Luna is left staring as well, and though she has short blue fur her cheeks visibly tint from the kiss. Despite the surprise and mild shyness brought on by the unexpected kiss, Luna doesn't want Lapis to feel uncomfortable. So, she quickly nods. "Y-yes! Of course. Bubblegum!" The pink pony girl lets out a surprised squeak, then resumes making the pizza. On a different stove now, though.

     As she works, Bubblegum explains the steps. Mixing the flour and eggs and herbs, using a proper blend of wheat flour and corn meal, how to properly knead, all of those things. The dough gets rolled out and covered with the sauce and thin slices of the various vegetables, covered with a generous amount of cheese, and then it is slid into the oven.

     At which time, Bubblegum smiles to princess and gem. "So, princess! How long have you been dating?"

     Luna nearly falls over. "W-what?"
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli hummed, completely clueless as to the scene she caused as she happily worked on the dough, even gently humming as she worked. She liked the mixing part, though she mostly swirled it around with her magic, more than actual... mixing.

Once it was all finished and in the stove, Bubblegum asked that. Wait, dating? The princess was dating someone? "Oh! Such joy!" Her eyes went to stars and she turned on poor Luna. "Are you dating someone? Who? Is it the little pink pony? May I watch? I have no seen every episode of camp pining hearts and I am now quite familiar with how relationships are supposed to work! They begin slow with both wanting things and then unable or unwilling to pursue them, until one is put in great danger and nearly loses them, yes? Then confessions at night and many, many interruptions to ensure the confession never occurs. Then, once romance is invovled, the two must date and break up many, many times in different dramatic ways often caused by people they once dated appearing or a new person appearing who one of them suspects the others finds delightful, right?"

She looked oh so happy as she spouted her tropes, expecting praise for her complete understanding of human relationships.
Princess Luna      The pink pony looks confused as Lapis starts in on her rambling, then blinks in surprise when Lapis asks if Luna is dating Bubblegum. "What? But..." The pink pony blinks again, then giggles and smirks a bit. "Come on, stop being silly. I meant you and Luna! I mean, I'd have thought she'd date a guy...and a pony...but, I'm not one to judge! Princess Luna seems so lonely sometimes, I'm just glad she's dating anyone at all!"

     Luna is left speechless by the pair, and her eye twitches lightly before she sighs. "That...might be how human dating works, Lapis. But, for ponies it is much more civil. We try to avoid drama if possible, and usually we do not approve of someone watching us on a date. It can be quite embarrassing..."

     Not that Luna would know. She hasn't had a date in a millenia or so. Luna laughs nervously, then takes a deep breathe to calm herself. "I believe Bubblegum has mistaken the kiss thou hast shared with me as a sign of a deeper affection than merely friendship." she says, then looks to Bubblegum. "My little pony, Lapis Lazuli and I have known each other only a short while. It is much too soon for such things."

     Bubblegum looks disappointed by that, but waves a hand dismissively and smiles. "I'm sure it'll happen. You two seem to have a great rapport."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked a few times, cocking her head to the side. Then she burst into a little giggle. "Oh! You thought Luna and I? Don't be silly! Gems don't date! That's a purely human and..." she paused. "pony creation. Gemstones only fuse and we..." She paused. "Although, we do not kiss, either." She hummed and tapped her chin, before shaking her head. "Be that as it may, that was a kiss of friendship, nothing more. I have been practicing."

"A kiss of friendship is like that one. A quick, gentle contact of lips, as shared between friends and those who are related, yes?" She uhhh, didn't yet realize that location mattered as well. "Though for some reason they often divide it into two kisses, I don't know why. It seems largely inefficient. Now, a date kiss is something completely different." She then reached out and...

Grabbed bubblegum. Wait. What? Why was--" Pulled her in by the cheeks and pressed their lips together, her head at a forty-five degree angle and her eyes closed. She held it for a few moments before letting it go. "See? The eyes being closed and the angle of the head are important, all of the shows say so." Then she blinked. "Oh. Oh dear. You and I aren't friends, are we? That was quite rude, wasn't it?"
Princess Luna      Bubblegum is grabbed! The pink pony blinks a few times, then lets out a little squeak as she is pulled in. Her cheeks turn red and her eyes go wide as she is kissed by Lapis in what was already described as a date kiss. Luna is left giggling, and the kitchen staff once again stares. Now there will be all kinds of rumors!

     Bubblegum pulls back after the kiss. "Ah...I...um...I guess you're right." she says, to which Luna giggles again. "Lapis, I believe the kiss that thou art referring to when you say friend kiss is the traditional cheek kiss. It is a standard greeting between friends and family in many areas. However, lip kisses are reserved for close family, such as between a child and a parent. When two adults kiss in such a way, it is often understood to be an act of intimacy between two who are dating or married."

     After the kiss, Bubblegum coughs lightly, then giggles a bit, still blushing. "Well, I guess we are friends now!" she says cheerfully.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked a few times, nodding. Then smiled. "Oh! Then good! I don't think it's wrong for friends to do that!" She paused and looked over. She cocked her head to the side and eyed the princess.

"Ohhhhhh. So it was like a date kiss. Huh... I... suppose I... owe you a date then, yes?" She rubbed her chin and tried to think about that. "... I don't believe there is a camp lake near here. Nor canoes." She rubbed her chin, then shook her head. "This whole thing is silly, though. There are so many rules to this kissing and romance! I mean, you and I cannot date. We have never fought and competed in matches of shame and humiliation. We have never stared into each other's eyes and claimed willing to destroy each other." she paused. "Although we have both denied the dating, so that is a step, yes?"

It was like watching a child trying to understand the concept. What could her world possibly be like. "If we do try the dating, would you object to Peridot studying us? I am very certain she would like to research what is so fascinating about it." ... She... has absolutely no idea. Poor luna was going to have the worst reputation after this.
Princess Luna      After all the embarrassment, Luna huffs. "No! No one can watch us date! Nng...w-we are not even dating so it does not matter!" she exclaims, exasperated, then takes a few breaths to calm down. "I think whatever this show is that thou art watching for thy information may be needlessly complicated." she says, rubbing her forehead lightly between her index finger and thumb. Bubblegum giggles. "Me thinkest thou art protesting too much, princess~" the pink pony teases, then meeps as she remembers who she is teasing. "Ah..th-that is...nevermind. Oh! The pizza should be done by now!"

     To try and alleviate the situation, Bubblegum pulls out the pizza, which is sizzling nicely and looks pretty tasty with its many veggies and thick sauce and bubbly cheese. "Be careful! It's hot! But, I guess that doesn't matter much to you, huh Lapis?" Luna is busy fanning at he face. All of this has got her blushing profusely and she is trying to get rid of it.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked a few times, cocking her head to the side. "Oh! yes! Denying of the dating is the first step of dating, right?"

Then Pizza! She gasped and flew over, tugging off a piece and biting into it. She then pulled off a large piece and blinked. It was really, really hot. She hummed. Then she blew on it until it was at a temperature she was sure steven could... survive. She took a bite. Then she nodded. Before rushing over and stuffing it, or trying to stuff it, in luna's mouth. "Here! Yes! this is a friend thing, right?" She seemed to be having the absolute time of her life. Poor, poor luna. First a kiss, then a tease, now an indirect kiss with already chewed on food? My my, the rumors would be flying.
Princess Luna      "Exactly!" says Bubblegum, not helping the situation at all. "Everyone knows if you say you aren't dating, it's like 50/50 that you are." the pink pony adds before taking a piece herself (on a plate of course, because she is not a super heat resistant gem). Luna huffs again, then folds her arms over her chest. "Come now, that is simply silly. Even if there were someone who -wished- to date me, I do not go on dates. I work during the traditional time such activities might occur."

     Then...Lapis is trying to stuff pizza into Luna's mouth. Luna eeps when Lapis comes after her, then quickly dodges and bubbles the pizza. "I appreciate thy attempts to feed me, but given thy resistance to heat, allow me to verify its safety." she says, then holds out a plate below the blue bubble holding the pizza slice. It pops and the pizza lands on the plate, then Luna lightly presses a finger to it. And quickly waggles that finger as the still very warm pizza causes a bit of pain. "I believe I will allow it to cool for a few more moments." she says, then smiles to Lapis. "How did it taste?" she asks before blowing across the pizza slice herself.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli smiled and gave a nod. "I think it tasted very good, for human food. I always find it so strange how you creatures will mix and combine all the different types of food together, rather than just eating the ingredients separately. But I am starting to enjoy the flavors. I much prefer the sauce, though. But it still tastes good." She took another piece and bit into it. "Mmmm."

She then looked to luna, then... "If... wished to... oh. I... understand." She looked kind of sullen now. "So... I am not... no. I understand. I am... a strange, awful creature. Such concepts as... a date would... not be a fun thing for you. I... cannot blame you. I would not wish to be around me either."
Princess Luna      Luna blinks in surprise at Lapis, then holds out a hand plaintively. "No no! That is not what I meant! I have yet to meet anyone who wished to date me! The terrible creature is obviously myself. Even with my unusual hours, I always hope someone will show such an interest in me. But...so far it has not been so." she says, then takes a sullen bite of her pizza slice.

     Luna's ears perk after a moment. "...do gems date? I know as little about thy people as thee know about mine. It would be a helpful exchange of culture, if nothing else." Luna offers, a small smile returning to her face.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli shook her head. "Nope! but we don't kiss, either. So!" And grabbed Luna's hand. "Let us go on a date! I... do notk now of where a nearby lake and canoe is. But I can make a lake! and then we can canoe there!" Ah, camp pining hearts. "Or would you rather we meet out back in a shed? I do believe that is another method they use. Though we would have to wait until nightfall because I do believe those dates are best performed in the darkness via candlelight. And we will need a picnic basket. Oh! And music. Yes, I do believe there was music. And we will need someone to intrude in the midst, that happened in all three episodes of the romantic midnight dinner." she said with a happy nod.

... She had no idea what she was saying or what it probably SOUNDED like to Luna's poor guards. And poor luna, caught in the midst of all of it...
Princess Luna      It will be fine. Surely, it will be fine. But, as Lapis continues spouting her tropes, Luna's ears lay back and she gets a slightly concerned look. Like when someone is dragging you into something you aren't sure you should be dragged into. "Uh...c-canoe? Please do not make a lake anywhere inside the city." she says, biting her bottom lip worriedly. Before blinking. "W-wait! A shed? A shed is not an appropriate place for a date! It is if anything a place of last resort! ...although I have been away a long while. Perhaps sheds are now considered a proper place...I will have to ask my sister."

     "Candlelight does sound nice, though. And a picnic would be fun. I shall have the staff fill a basket for us." she says. She hasn't pulled her hand away from Lapis, and the kitchen staff are all staring again. Bubblegum leans in to the princess and whispers. "...Princess Luna...are you sure you will be alright? She seems a bit...um..." Bubblegum and Luna look at Lapis, then at each other. "I shall be fine." Luna replies, smiling lightly to Bubblegum. "Please, prepare us a proper picnic basket."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli smiled happily, still clinging onto that hand and just smiling to her. "Yay! This will be most delightful! I cannot wait to tell Steven about this! He is going to be thrilled to know how my development is coming along. To think, an actual date! I don't know if a gem has ever gone on a date. No, Rose probably has. But then, rose is... different."

She just kept smiling at her, head cocked to the side, completely and utterly ignorant of how any of this sounded or was supposed to be. Poor Luna. "So, which of us is to make the bad jokes and puns while the other fakes laughter uproariously?" ... She really, really, really had no idea.
Princess Luna      Luna is just getting more and more confused. She smiles and nods as Lapis talks, then blinks and her smile fades to be replaced by that confused look again. "...i-is that how gems act on a date?" Luna asks uncertainly, rubbing the side of her arm nervously and blushing a bit. "I...I suppose thou shalt be the one making the jokes, and I shall be the one laughing? Or, perhaps we could take turns?" This really doesn't sound like how dates should work, but Lapis talks as if she has extensively studied the subject.

     If there were TV on Equestria, Luna might have some sign that this isn't how things go, but alas, there are no telecommunications yet on Equestria.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli nodded. "Oh! Then, ummm, yes! Did you know the turtle got lost at sea? Because... it always carries its home with it!" ... Oh gosh she wasn't kidding about the bad jokes. Like, at all. Wow. She smiled up at Luna as if she'd said the funniest thing in the world. Meanwhile, hundreds, perhaps thousands of comedians across the multiverse felt a great disturbance, as if... something completely impossible to laugh at for the right reasons just happened.

They both needed help.
Princess Luna      "Maybe you guys should just talk about stuff. I mean...that didn't even make sense." Bubblegum says as she fills up a basket with lots of yummy things. Luna feels obligated to laugh, but is thankfully saved by Bubblegum. "A joke should be like...Did you hear about the fisherman who lost his catch? Well, he didn't. He had a loss of...herring!" Bubblegum giggles after she tells the joke. Luna giggles as well, then smiles to Lapis. "So, you wish to hire a boat that we might enjoy a cruise on the lake?" she asks, trying to get away from the subject of jokes after Lapis's attempt.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked a few times. "So the fisherman went deaf? That doesn't... I mean, ah hah hah hah... ah hah?" she said, head cocked to the side. "That was most amusing! I am laughing my dress off!" Pants off, lapis. Pants. Then nodded and looked to Luna. "Oh, yes, the water is great! Yes! Would you like me to make a lake? It could take a while with the water from the faucet, but I could do it." she paused. "Or maybe one that's already been made?"
Princess Luna      Bubblegum blinks as well, then shakes her head. "Well, that's the joke. Herring is a kind of fish? And he lost his catch, but...yeah. Anyway, the basket is all ready!" Bubblegum hands it to Lapis and smiles. "You two have fun on your date!" she says, then ushers the two out of the kitchen.

     Leaving Luna. Alone with Lapis. The princess looks very nervous. "S-so...um, there is not a large lake nearby, but there is the pool at the bottom of Canterlot Falls, and the river is quite wide all the way to the ocean." Luna says, apparently giving Lapis the lead for the date.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli nodded and took her hand, leading her out the window and then dragging her off, flying through the air before allowing her to lead. "Yes, please, show me to the pool, please," she said happily. She glanced back and gave a happy little smile.

"Then we can partake of the delights of the picnic baskets! That is a very date thing to do, yes? Oh! Right, ummm... what... do you plan to... do when you grow up?" she tried, reciting tv lines.
Princess Luna      Luna is pulled along, flying and walking and landing, and giggles a bit as Lapis asks to see the pool. It is at the bottom of the cliff on which Canterlot sits, so all they have to do is float down to it. The waterfall plunges into a deep pool of water a few hundred feet wide, and creates small rainbows as the sunlight hits the mist being thrown up from the water.

     The question about what she wants to do when she grows up causes Luna to blink in confusion before raising an eyebrow. "What? But, I am already grown up." she says, scratching her head lightly. "Are you not an adult yet?"
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli shook her head. "No. Gems do not become adults. We are born fully grown," she said with an od. "But I am thousands of years old. As... you're aware." she hugged herself a little. "But... that is one of the questions that are oft asked on dates, yes? Oh! Are you comfortable?" She held out her hand and some of the water rose up. "Ah! yes!" It flowed to her hand and then formed into an ice rose and she held it out. "Here! Flowers are to be gifted, yes? Or should I pick some from the garden? They're... so pretty it feels a shame to kill them..."
Princess Luna      Luna blinks again, then giggles a bit. "Well...I suppose it is." she says to that first question before nodding at the second. When presented with the ice rose...Luna stares a moment before actually taking it. "Oh my...it is lovely." she says, smiling a genuine, thankful smile. "Thank thee for this gift. It is wonderful!" Luna obviously is very appreciative of such a gift. It probably took almost no effort for Lapis to make it, but it isn't every day that one is presented with a beautiful rose made of ice. "Yes, we can leave the other flowers in the garden." Luna agrees.

     She pauses for a few moments, then smiles softly. "What I want to be...is loved and accepted by my subject. And as far as I can tell, I have achieved that." she says, then her horn glows softly and a protective bubble forms around the rose, keeping it from melting or breaking. "And thee? What art thy desires for when thou art fully grown?"
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli smiled as her gift was accepted. Yes, success! she didn't horribly fail! then she blinked when asked that. "My... dreams? What I wish to..." She trailed off and thought for a moment. "What... I wish is to..." She hugged herself. "Not to hurt anyone anymore. To... to be... the kind of gem Steven treats me like."

She lowered her eyes. "To not be afraid that Homeworld will come and destroy us all and... and tae everything we've worked so hard to achiee... away."
Princess Luna      Luna cradles the shield-bubble with the ice flower like someone holding a stuffed animal, gently held in both arms and pressed lightly against her chest. She nods lightly at Lapis's desires and moves to hug the gem around the shoulders. "You are that kind of gem." she says, smiling gently.

     The Homeworld thing...that's a little harder. Luna wasn't actually aware that the Earth gems were at odds with the Homeworld gems. She blinks in surprise. "Why would thy own people come and destroy thee and they friends and acomplishments?"
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked a few times. "Our... world. The earth I come from. The homework gems wished to harvest it, to wipe out all human life on it and make it a colony. Rose quartz... stopped them. I... I am a homeworld... was a homeworld gem, then. Was caught in the midst and... now they see me as a crystal gem."

She shuddered. "We are all enemies of homeworld. Given the chance, they owuld... shatter us. To pieces..."
Princess Luna      Luna's eyes widen at that. "What?! How can they simply ignore the life already present on such a world?!" Luna exclaims, flabbergasted and obviously a little angry that anyone could be so callous toward another species. She huffs angrily. "Well, I am sure thee and thy friends would never allow such a thing. Thou art good people. And if thy homeworld were to try such a thing, I would use all my power to stop them. Thou hast never even raised a hand against them!"
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli cringed and then looked away. "Because... well..." She chewed on her lower lip. "They... are... we don't care about life. Often. The gems are... we're... it's hard for us to understand life like yours. So small and fleeting. Even... even I can barely understand it. It feels so insignificant. I am... pretty sure I could destroy an entire city or even country and not, well, care."

There was a long silence. "Or... I could. Once. But... I... have grown to... understand that it means much to Steven. and... and I've met some that I... like. And... I know there are others out there. Other humans that can be... just as... nice."

She sat down on the ground, opening the basket.

"There are millions of gems out there. With technology far, far beyond our power level. We are... only... seven. And I'm not even a fighter. If they... decide to take the planet... if they truly dedicate to it... we will die."
Princess Luna      Luna frowns at that. All of it. "All life is precious, regardless of how short or trivial. I highly doubt the gems would find creatures such as humans and ponies so...disposable if someone were doing the same to the gems as they would do to us." she says. She slowly inhales a deep breath, then lets it out just as slowly. "But, we are here for a picnic. Let us enjoy ourselves and think not of those troublesome subjects for the time being."

     The basket contains a large blanket, many assorted vegetables prepared into such easy eats as sandwiches and salads, and a good number of cupcakes and rolls. As Lapis unpacks it, Luna spreads out the blanket before taking a seat. "What else did you learn from this show you watched so much?"
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked and looked up, before grinning. "Oh! Humans have the most interesting structures! did you know when they get hurt, they don't poof, they just... break? And then they heal! How interesting is that? They don't even poof their physical form! Ah ha ha ha ha!" she laughed happily, before smiling again.

"Oh, and they are often divided by color and wage wars upon each other. Color wars! For example, there is the blue team and the green team and the red team! With such battles such as paint with the ball and throwing the ball in the basket and canoe racing!"
Princess Luna      Luna smiles as well at that first thing. "Humans and ponies are very similar as far as our 'structures'. But, I am sure most humans would be quite happy with a hardlight body such as thine own." she says.

     As for the color wars? At first, Luna fears that Lapis means something else, but...teams? Luna giggles a bit. She doesn't know paintball, but basketball and canoe racing are common enough even in Equestria. "I see. But, those are not wars, they are merely contests. The goal is not to injure anyone, but to score more points or to finish the course first." she says, then looks out over the waterfall pool. "Do you enjoy those battles?" she asks.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli nodded. "I can't blame them. Though... I admit at times..." She sighed. "When... we pop? Our bodies are helpless. Our gems exposed. We... cannot do anything until we reform. Until we are... whole again. Humans don't have that. Even if they're hurt, they can... still fight."

She glanced up. "Oh? Are you sure? In some of them they looked like they wanted to hurt. And... sometimes. They seem... nicer than the wars I'm used to. Than the ones I've seen. People get hurt but no gems are... broken. Humans are rarely harmed, as well. And... when one is harmed... both sides stop."
Princess Luna      Luna nods lightly. "That is true...but, even if thou art 'popped' thy power to reform remains. For humans and ponies, there is no in between. If we are beaten to the point of 'popping' then...we cannot reform. Not without a lot of help, at least." she says, then nods lightly. "As I said, they are not wars. They are games. I admit that some atheletes go a bit too far, but the point of athletic endeavors is to pit one team's or invidual's abilities against another for matters of pride. There are some sports that involve purposely trying to injure others, but none that are legal involve attempting to kill."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli nodded, listening to them. "Perhaps I should try playing one of these games. I believe... swimming seems to be one. It would be quite easy for me to win, I would just hold the others are the bottom of the..." She paused. "No, wait. Steven calls that... cheating. Hum. Perhaps... the... basket of balls? Do you play any of them, Luna?"
Princess Luna      Luna giggles a bit at the cheating, then shakes her head lightly. "No. I have not played any such sports in...centuries." she says, then giggles again. "But, perhaps we could arrange a simple game? There are many public basketball courts in Equestria. We could play one on one, or perhaps invite a few friends and make teams. Are there any other sports you enjoy?"
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli shrugged. "I do not know. Perhaps? Human sports were not something I had ever really seen before or much of. I only know of a handful and have never tried any of them. Gems... don't have sports. We don't really do the whole... having... fun... thing. Our tasks tend to be completely work focused, only and forever."
Princess Luna      Luna blinks and frowns lightly at that. "I see. And...dost thou miss that rigid structure giving thee direction in thy life?" Luna asks. She is used to having duties, but she can't imagine having everything she does dictated by others. "We ponies have always had a focus on hard work, but with a strong secondary focus on enjoying life. Lives such as the ones thou hast described...especially immortal lives...I am surprised that there are no previous gem rebellions."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked and then looked down. "I... do. Sometimes. I mean. I... I don't know if i want to go back to the way it was. But... sometimes... it was so easy, you know? Doing what I was told. Fly here. Stand there. Move this. Lift that. Pose this way. Create this. IT was just so... easy. I never had to worry about if what I was doing was right or wrong. If other things matter. I just had to obey blue diamond. i... I sometimes did fun things. But I was just an ornament. Water... is so common here. But on our world it wasn't. I was just... more or less... a bauble. And... a part of me misses that. Not having to think for myself... Not having to care... but... I don't think I would go back. Even if I could..."
Princess Luna      Luna smiles softly at that and gives Lapis a hug around the shoulders. "And, art thou having fun on Equestria and Earth? Thy powers art quite impressive. If I am able, I shall preserve this rose forever." she says, hugging the bubbled ice rose to her chest. "Thou might deserve punishment for thy transgressions, but thou art also amazing. There art many uses for water that do not involve harming anyone. Fighting fires, shaping the land...keeping our world cool and its life alive. Without water, this world and any others like it would be barren. And, like humans and ponies, thou art a special, unique individual. Treasured because of your quirks."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli stared at her. Then, slowly, she reached up and wiped her eyes. "You... you really believe that?" she asked softly, leaning in a little closer. "In... in my planet water isn't... valued. In fact, there is little need for it. But... I... can't deny. I have begun to feel... powerful.... and... and wanted as I traveled the multiverse. Not just because of Steven, either. And... I do deserve punishment. I am an awful person."

She glanced to the side. "But I... I am beginning to feel like I am... more than just... a bad person. Like I am... good... at the same time? Is that... possible? To be both good and bad?"
Princess Luna      Luna nods gently and gives Lapis a squeeze. "Of course. Thou art very much like me." Luna says, then pauses. "...eerily so, actually." she adds, then sighs heavily. "The night was once not valued by any of the ponies of Equestria. All of their attention and love was directed at the day and...to my sister. I began to feel...worthless. Like none would notice if I simply disappeared. So one day...my hatred and anger manifested themselves, and I did not fight to contain them. I was transformed into a monster who called herself Nightmare Moon. And, she took it upon herself to give me what I wanted. Respect for the night. But, she...I...wanted to force it upon my world. Under the influence of my darkest emotions, I attempted to make the night endless on this world."

     Luna takes a deep breath, obviously troubled by what happened and what she did. She looks down at the ground as she continues. "...I...didn't care that an eternal night would cause the destruction of nearly all life on this world. I simply wanted attention, for someone...everyone to notice me. I let my obsession with my sister's beloved status and my people's seeming lack of love for me corrupt me. And so, I was banished for 1000 years."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked, staring at her. Slowly her watery wing reached out and pulled the other girl into a hug. "I think the night is pretty. The sun is too hot, anyway and it would take me days to fly to it. But the moon is so nice and cool, I can walk across it as much as I please and enjoy it. The moon is far, far better. And... the stars look nicer like that, too. In the night than in the day." She closed her eyes.

"Besides. I have seen your sister. I much prefer your form. It is far more aerodynamic. Having the extra weight on the upper half of your body seems odd, it makes you top heavy. Your form is far more compact and likely easier to carry, as well as more stable."
Princess Luna      Luna smiles appreciatively at Lapis's words. At least, until that second part. Luna blinks in surprise, seeming confused a moment. Then, she blushes hotly. "O-oh! Um...well...I suppose I am a bit more slender than my sister. Perhaps due to our differences in lifestyle. I patrol each night to ensure the creatures of the darkness do not invade Equestria."

     Luna giggles a bit after that. "I admit, I am also a bit jealous of my sister's figure. The ponies all stare when she walks or flies by. It always seems as though many fewer notice me." She sighs softly and shakes her head. "Anyway, I believe I have told thee what happened after I escaped banishment. Or at least part of it. When I returned, I had even more resentment and anger built up, blaming my sister and her subjects for my imprisonment. I again tried to bring about eternal night. But, six ponies wielding the magical weapons that my sister and I once wielded against the evils of our world...brought those weapons to bare against me. I didn't understand why in the state my storm of emotions had left me. But, they succeeded in purifying me, and when I realize what I had done...what I had become...I vowed to never allow it to happen again. Even if I had to spend the rest of my life in the shadow of my sister. Our people are more important."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli blinked a few times and cocked her head to the side. She took a glass of water and eyed her. "That's stupid. IF your sister makes you stand in her shadow again, I'm going to drop a lake on her." Just... just matter of factly. "It obviously upsets you and I don't like you being upset. I can warn her if you like. But if she hurts you again, I'll hurt her." Pause. "Not... too bad as you do care for her, yes?"

She was trying to figure out just how vengeful she was allowed, and supposed, to be.
Princess Luna      Luna giggles at that, appreciative of Lapis's offers. "Thank thee, but it was never my sister's intention to cast a shadow over me. It was only a result of our positions and duties. Once I was able to see through the rage and finally voiced what caused it all to Celestia, she understood completely. Although I will never have her level of attention and love from our subjects simply because she is the more visible of the two of us, since my return the ponies of Equestria have been very accepting and generous to me. I see now that it was not because they despised night or me...it was simply the way of the times. Ponies developed to live during the day and sleep at night. Even now, it is so. It is simply their nature. They enjoy the night much more now that we have gained the ability to produce artificial light, but still...it is my destiny to labor in the darkness and the beautiful night. And my sister does her best to ensure that I am given the same respect and love that our subjects give her."

     After that, Luna gives Lapis another hug. "So, please, hold no ill-will for my sister or my subjects. They meant no harm, and have worked hard for me since my return. Just as I am sure your friends have for you."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli sighed and gave a nod. "Very well. Then I will forgive them if you find them so worthy." She gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "And yes, it is the same on earth. Honestly, I find the need for sleep to be an... odd thing. However, it can be soothing at times. I very much enjoy sleeping in the tub with the water spilling over my form. But then sometimes the tub floods and Pearl gets mad." Gee, I wonder why.

"Yes, Steven works so hard for me and... I will never forget it. Even when he is... gone."
Princess Luna      Luna giggles a bit at the mention of the tub overflowing. "But, why? Art thou not able to clean such a mess with a flick of thy fingers?" she asks, smiling. Her smile fades slightly as Lapis mentions what may happen to Steven one day, then sighs softly. "It is the curse of all immortals. If we make friends with those of more...limited existence, we are destined to see them pass away one day. But, that can help us treasure them even more while they are here. And thou must remember...do not shy away from such friends simply to guard thyself. It is a path to loneliness."

     Luna looks up, then smiles. "It is almost time for me to raise the moon. If thou wishes to watch, please do so from my balcony. It has the best view of the east." she says, then stands slowly, pulling Lapis up with her. "I am afraid I cannot allow thee to fly with me. The magics I must use to move the moon are powerful, and could be dangerous even to thee if thou were too close to me when I use them."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli nodded, before turning away. "Very well. I will... wait in your room for you, then. And view your precious moon. It is... very pretty." Of course she thought so. She'd WALKED on it. "And then, perhaps, we can try some other things! Perhaps the punishments you were doing on your machine? I have found there is much more fun to be had when one plays with others! and you are my favorite person to play with, Luna." She'd then turn and fly off, before she could respond, to wait for her in her room...

Of course... when luna arrived... Lapis was... pretending to be asleep on her bed. Pretending. Obviously. As she was smiling and obviously trying not to giggle at her prank.
Princess Luna      Luna starts to hold out a hand to stop Lapis, but pauses before just smiling. "Very well! Please watch, and I will meet you there!" she calls, then spreads her own wings and takes off. She starts out at a normal flying pace, but soon is moving through the air like a shooting star. The sky is already orange with the colors of dusk coming. Luna shoots through the sky to the horizon.

     Then, she starts back the other way. The beautiful dark blue punctuated with twinkling white stars spreads across the sky with her, followed soon after by the gentle white orb that is the moon. And all of it led by the sparkling shooting star that is Luna streaking across the sky. When the blanket of blue-black finally reaches the other end of the horizon, Luna starts back toward Canterlot and arrives to find...Lapis sleeping?

     Luna raises an eyebrow, then approaches. A slight smirk builds on her face. After all, Lapis has said that gems do not require sleep. But, Luna decides to play along. She is apparently Lapis's favorite person to play with, after all. "Oh dear. It seems my friend has fallen asleep, just as all my little ponies do when night falls. It cannot be helped, it seems. I am cursed to be alone at night forever." she laments overly dramatically, then...she dissolves quickly into her blue mist form and sneaks quickly around the bed before reforming just out of sight below the edge of the bed, waiting for Lapis to 'wake up'.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli gave a light little snicker under her breath. It had been a beautiful sight, but this was going to be fun. She heard those words and... "GOT YA!" and lunged at where... luna was supposed to be.

Except luna wasn't there now. What? Also, well...

She was not skilled at blankets. She let out a shriek. "Unhand me!" she demanded as she kind of wrapped herself up like a giant blue eggroll, rolling off the bed and crashing to the ground. "LET ME GO! I WILL DESTROY YOU!" she yelled.
Princess Luna      Luna peeks over the bed as Lapis leaps up, and giggles a bit before...deadpanning. "Lapis...relax." she says, quickly moving around to try and help. Up until that outburst. Luna blinks in surprise and a bit of shock. "L-lapis! Please! Thou art not under attack!" Luna exclaims as she pounces Lapis to try and stop her struggling. "Lapis! Just calm down and thy freedom shall be much easier to obtain!"

     Whether Lapis calms down or not, Luna uses her skills in blanket use to get it at least loosened enough that Lapis might escape, then gathers the blanket up and sits on the floor, looking at Lapis a bit worriedly.
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli does calm down after a bit, breathing heavily, then blinking and looking down at the blanket. She didn't even NEED air. Slowly she looked to Luna. "my... apologies. Perhaps we could... play the game now? Together? Please?" Moving a bit closer to nestle against her friend.

"My... my apologies. I do not... enjoy... being trapped." Apparently not. "I thought it was beautiful. The raising of the moon. Is... it always like that? You... truly are powerful. For one that burns so easily."
Princess Luna      Luna slowly regains a bit of a smile as Lapis recovers and apologizes, then gives Lapis a hug. "Understandable." she says, then unfurls the blanket and drapes it lightly over the both of them. "Well...I can do all of that from a stationary location, but I prefer to be more hands on." she says, blushing lightly. "But yes, it is always like that. And it is very similar when my sister raises the sun."

     Luna smiles at the compliment to her moonraising. And giggles lightly at the little comment at the end. "I would happily join thee in some punishment in the form of electronic gaming, but now - when the sky is dark and the moon high - is the time when the most dangerous creatures of this world start to move about. I must make my patrols to ensure that all such creatures are properly restrained or redirected. But, if thou hast nothing else to do, thou art welcome to join me on my patrols."
Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli perked and gave a nod. "Oh! Yes! That sounds most pleasant! and it is something I am needed to do! Part of my punishment is to help those of the union! Helping you on your patrol is an excellent use of my punishment," she said oh so proudly, getting to her feet and following her to the window. "Let's go! This will be a delight!"