Changing Lanes 27

>"Anonymous!"
>You jolt upright at Twilight's shout.
"What?"
>"Were you sleeping again?"
>You are in Twilight's treebrary, listening to one of her lessons on how to develop and use magic in the hopes you may get a grasp on it.
>Whether it is the atmosphere of her home, the dull and inconceivable subject matter, or a combination thereof, you find it difficult to keep tuned in to what she is saying.
"If I say yes, are you going to be mad?"
>"Yes."
"Then no, I wasn't."
>She scowls at you, not a fan of your wisecrack as she wipes off her chalkboard she is standing next to.
>"How are you supposed to learn anything if you keep screwing off or falling asleep?! We've been at it for over a month, and you aren't even past basics."
"I'm sorry, I really am! It's just, this is all well beyond my understanding. You tell me to focus on that energy, and I have no idea what the hell it is or where it is to begin with."
>Twilight sighs, ears drooping.
>"I know. This is a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I feel like I'm not doing enough to help you along either."
>You stretch your legs out underneath the table in the main room where you are seated.
"Twilight, you drill me every day for an average of two hours. I don't see what more you can do. Maybe it really is impossible for me to use magic."
>"Don't give up!"
"I didn't say that. But let's call it a day."
>She smiles in response as she walks over to you.
>"Okay. But maybe you should do your sleeping before class tomorrow."
>You pull her onto your lap, wrapping your arms around her as she squeals.
"But then what excuse can I have for not paying attention?"
>Suddenly, the front door bursts open.
>Rainbow Dash busts in, looking rather frantic.
>"Twilight, are you alright? I was just about to knock when I heard you scream and...... what are you two doing?"
>Twilight quickly squirms from your arms.
>"Anon was uh... just cracking my back! I woke up a little stiff today. Thanks, Anon."
"Uh, yeah, no problem."
>She still refuses to tell anyone the two of you are are a thing.
>You've grown accustomed to it, but it gets rather frustrating sometimes.
>Especially since there is really no reason for it.
>Aside from Twilight's social anxiety that still lingers.
>Rainbow doesn't seem to know what to make of the situation.
>"Uh, right. So Twilight, did the new Daring Do book come in yet?"
>Twilight rubs her temple with a hoof.
>"Rainbow, I told you, when I get it in, you will be the first to know. No, it didn't come in yet, I don't expect it for another week."
>"Another week?! But it was released today!"
"I assume it is hard to get a copy if even someone as aversive to egghead things like you wants to read it."
>Rainbow grabs you with her hooves while she hovers in front of your face.
>"Daring Do is not. An egghead. THING!"
>She loosens her grip and regains a bit of her composure.
>"I meant to say, it's really a good book series. You should try it and find out for yourself."
>You ruffle her mane as she bats your arm away playfully.
"I might at some point."
>Her demeanor once again snaps back to seriousness.
>"You're sure the two of you are okay? No ninjas holding you hostage or anything?"
"We're fine, but maybe you need to lay off the adventure novels if you're getting ideas like that."
>"Alright then, I guess I'll catch you guys later, I should be getting to work before I'm late!"
>In a streak of her namesake, Rainbow Dash is gone.
>You glance over at Twilight, who exhales deeply.
"Twilight, we can't just keep trying to hide from everyone. When are you going to step up?"
>The alicorn abruptly snaps her attention to you, glaring in a defiant manner.
>"Why are you in such a rush to announce it to Equestria? I told you I needed time!"
"Yes, you have been saying that for four months now. Look at today's events. Rainbow Dash is both concerned and suspicious, do we really want to put our friends through that?"
>"No. But I just am not ready to make something private public."
>You shake your head in frustration.
>She didn't seem to have a problem telling the world about you and Luna the day after.
>But you don't press the issue.
"Anyway, what are you doing the rest of the day?"
>Twilight trots over to a stack of boxes in one of the corners of the room.
>"Well, I didn't get the new Daring Do book, but a large shipment nonetheless came in this morning, ready for cataloging and organizing! You can help if you like."
>You quickly back away.
"No no, I'm good. I have things that need to be attended to at home."
>"Suit yourself. But please be ready tomorrow morning for our session."
"I can't promise you that. Bye Twily."
>She giggles as you walk out the door into the late morning daylight.

>Now you wish you wouldn't have procrastinated on replacing the carbuerator on the Superbird with a fuel injection kit.
>Once the snow comes, you won't be driving it anymore.
>Until then, the cooler weather is making driveability an annoyance until she warms up.
>You set the air filter aside on the fender, just as Luna soars over your head and lands nearby.
"You're over here rather early. What gives?"
>Luna trots over to you, looking into the engine bay in which you are leaning.
>"Today has been rather dull around the castle, so I thought perhaps you were doing something of interest."
>You shake your head.
"Not really. I just got back from Twilight's about an hour ago, right now I'm adjusting the carb on this to get it to run a bit better in the cold."
>Luna turns her head, trying to get a better look at what you are exactly doing as you grab a screwdriver and twist on the adjuster.
>"And that does what, exactly?"
>You step back, reaching into the open window and start the engine.
>Abruptly, it roars to life, albeit at a now rather much too high idle.
"Dammit, I went too far. Anyways, it adjusts the idle speed, which I'm going higher because it is getting colder out. It's all trial and error. I'm just glad I don't have the dual carb setup like it should have.
>"Er, dual carb?
"Yeah, it's supposed to have two of these on the intake manifold, but I switched it to one big carb. I was going for the whole NASCAR tribute thing like with the side exit exhaust, since they didn't allow dual carbs.
>"I see. By the way, how is your tutoring with Twilight going, if I may ask?"
>You cut the engine and make a minor adjustment back on the carb.
"Not bad, I guess. I haven't really gotten anywhere as far as physical magic. Just a lot of basics I can't even grasp."
>Luna wraps a wing around your back, pulling you close to her.
>"Do not get down on yourself. If it is possible, it will take a while until you will get a grasp on it. You mustn't blame yourself, as you were not gifted with this from birth."
"It don't really bother me, it's just boring and I tend to fall asleep, to the frustration of Twilight."
>"Then what is bothering you?"
"What? Nothing. I'm doing fine."
>Luna narrows her eyes on you.
>"No, Anonymous. I can sense you're upset by something. What is it?"
"Nothing, I'm fine."
>You grab the air filter and start putting it back on the engine.
>[Tell me.]
>I'm fine.
>[No you're not.]
>Get out of my head.
>[I will when you tell me.]
>You turn to her as she smirks at you.
"If you must know, I'm starting to get a little tired of keeping Twilight and me hidden from everyone else. Like today when Rainbow Dash popped in during studies when we were.... stuff."
>"Give her time. She's not exactly comfortable in some social situations."
"Four months is not time?"
>Another smirk.
>"Well, you should have seen her in the first few weeks she came here to Ponyville. I mean, I didn't, but my sister told me about it. She's come a long way."
>The two of you fall silent as you finish up putting everything back together and drop the hood.
>"Tell me, is everything 'up there' all good?"
>She motions to her head.
"I... what?"
>"You aren't conversing with somepony you shouldn't?"
>Oh, right. Nightmare Moon.
>Well, you hadn't done so on purpose, anyway.
>An intense prickling sensation seemed to always manifest itself whenever Nightmare Moon had 'awakened' and wanted attention.
>Any time she has spoken to you, her voice and demeanor had no trace of malevolence, but you still ignored her the best you could.
>But fuck was it annoying.
>"Anon?"
"Just once or twice on accident. I sort of have it figured out when she's reaching out to me, I think."
>Luna seems to hesitate a bit before offering a small smile in response.
>"As I have stated, I doubt she can do anything, but better safe than sorry."
"I know."
>The night princess turns her focus to the distance, in the direction of the castle.
>"I should probably return to the castle, I told the guards I would only slip out for five or ten minutes. Would you like to come back with me?"
>Now that you have the carb adjusted, you don't really have much else to do.
>Perhaps the two of you together will make her day less boring?
"Why not? Beam us up whenever you're ready."
>"Actually, I had planned on flying back, if you do not mind."
"Uh, okay. But how am I going to get there?"
>"Climb on!"
>You look at hr, unable to tell whether she is joking or serious.
"Luna, I'm nearly taller than you are. I don't want to hurt you."
>Luna rolls her eyes.
>"Come now, I know my own strength, I am more than capable of flying with you on board.
>You're still hesitant to move towards her, let alone jump on her back.
>Without warning, her whole form begins to glow, stretching and growing.
>When she is finished, she is just as tall as Celestia, if not taller.
>"Better, Anon?"
"Uh, if you're sure, I guess."
>"Yes, and if it make you feel better, you can let me ride you sometime."
"Whoa, what?!"
>Luna blushes profusely when she realizes what she has said.
>She grabs you with her magic, placing you on her back.
>"I-I meant give me a ride in the Superbird again, sometime."
>Before you can respond, she leaps into the air, mighty wings unfurled.

>"Ugh, did you have to hold on so tightly?"
>Luna rubs her neck with a hoof.
"well, I'm afraid of heights. I forgot to mention that."
>"You did not seem to have a problem flying when you were me for a few days."
>Looking over at her, she seems oblivious to one glaring fact.
"Yes, and since I was you, I had wings."
>The doors ahead of you open, leading into the throne room.
>"Welcome back to the castle, your Highness."
>"Thank you, guards. Anon, you can sit in one of the adviser's seats next to the throne."
>The 'seat' is hardly more than a plush pillow, but it seems to look comfortable enough as you ascend the stairs beside Luna.
>As you take a seat, you swear you sink down at least a few inches.
>Oh yeah, plenty comfortable.
>"Guard, do we have any visitors in wait?"
>"Just one, your Highness. She has come from Ponyville to talk to you about personal matters."
>Luna leans over to you.
>"I'm sorry the first one has to be what is likely a sob story."
>You shrug.
>"Please, send her in."
>The guard disappears through a smaller side door.
>After a few moments, a familiar cyan pegasus walks out the same door and into the room.
>"Rainbow Dash? What a pleasant surprise. Please, come forward."
>Rainbow seems a little on edge as she approaches at a dawdling pace.
>You wave to her.
"Hi Dash."
>She stops, her eyes wide and focused on you.
"Uh, you okay?"
>"I.. just didn't expect you to be here. Heh."
>She is way more than a little on edge.
>"Come Rainbow, what brings you to Canterlot today?"
>Her stare alternates between you and Luna.
>It is that moment you can tell she has connected the dots between you and Twilight.
>"Well, this is a little awkward."
>This should be fun to explain.