Princess Luna (mare_inthe_moon) wrote in spinningcompass, @ 2013-10-26 21:53:00 |
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Entry tags: | !closed, ~princess luna |
Who: Princess Luna & Howard Stark
When: Oct 23, ~6:30pm
Where: Diner >> Central Park
What: Luna takes Howard up on their date to Central Park in hopes of cheering him up
Rating: Low
Closed
Ongoing
The diner, it was wonderful! It was fantastic and after having spoken with the kind Isabel, Luna made it a point to stop by for breakfast as often as she could. This evening was no exception. She woke and bathed in a lavish tub in the palace, dried and dressed, and head over to the diner. Tonight the princess wore her usual accessories: black tiara, silver bracers and ankle bands, and a large necklace that swept over her collarbone with a decorative crescent moon in white upon it. Along with her shining adornments she wore a flowing, soft, silk and organza dress that wrapped on the bias around her bust with a halter neck hidden under the necklace, a low back to allow for wing movement, a bow tied at the back from bands that wrapped about her waist twice. Hair down, fluttering behind her in the afternoon breeze, the princess landed outside of the diner with a smile.
“Good evening, everyone!” she announced to the patrons.
Howard looked up, his focus having been on the napkin on the table. Some scribbles of ink could be seen, but the formula it represented would have meant nothing to anyone not familiar with the design of new elements, and their fusion. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Luna, or Princess Luna as he’d been corrected in jest a few times. The smile even reached his tired eyes, and he lowered his coffee cup to the saucer on the table in front of him.
“Good evening, princess,” he said to the pretty woman. “How is your royal highness this evening?”
Turning her gaze, Luna smiled brightly in return to her friend--her first islander friend--and moved toward him with graceful steps. She had been practicing her walk, it seemed, for now she did not even have bare feet but feet in pretty shoes, though they were low of heel. Her dress flit around as she moved, so light and airy however, it was probably too cool out for such a thing. She did have goosebumps on her bared arms.
“Howard Stark, I am happy to see you,” she announced. “I am well. You know you may call me Luna, please. I am not much of a royal here, it would seem.”
“But no less a princess in my eyes,” he told her with his smile widening a little. “How have you been settling in? Have you found accommodations suitable?” He couldn’t imagine she would have been very comfortable in the apartment buildings, and hadn’t seen her around Stark Tower, unlike Rarity whom he’d seen in passing.
Still smiling, Luna motioned with a hand to the seat nearest Howard in asking if she might be able to sit, all the while answering his question.
“I have settled as well as one can, considering the situation. I have taken residency in the local castle, which I have renovated to reflect the Canterlot Castle I come from. I hope you will come and see it sometime soon, you will be amazed by the grandeur.” Tilting her head, fingers tucked back at her hair, putting it behind her shoulder where her tiny wings folded.
“You are well living with your older son and younger grandson?” she asked.
Howard half stood, realising he hadn’t even done so before, then shook his head at himself, giving her a guilty and apologetic smile as she took the seat opposite him. He sighed as he settled himself back on his chair once she was seated, and then winced a little as she asked about Richie.
“I’m living there in Stark Tower, yes, but unfortunately it seems my grandson, Richie, has disappeared. He hasn’t been seen for nearly two weeks.” There was no mistaking the haggard look on his face as he spoke of Richie’s disappearance, briefly explaining how he and Tony had been working to try and find some trace of the young man.
Perching delicately, a trained and transformed flower from their first meeting of a stumbling, bumbling human girl, Luna looked upon Howard with sorrowful eyes. They were big, like saucers, deep and filled with an emotion that she did normally not express. Luna was not known for expression emotion, and the emotions she did show were not really outside of the range of normal activity.
“I have heard of your loss,” she said softly and reached out to try and take his hands, if she could find them upon the table. If not, they merely sat, reaching for comfort. “I have promised Applejack that I will look in all of the dreams to see if I can find him. So far, I have little progress, but tonight is a new night. Perhaps there will be answers.”
He looked down when he felt her fingers on his hand, rolling it over to cup hers. “Thank you. She has been so sad, and we don’t know what to say, as what can you say that will make any difference,” he murmured, shaking his head as he sighed. “Anything you can find that will help, especially help her, would be tremendous.”
Nodding in return, Luna smiled softly with hope as she took Howard’s hands. They were thoughtful hands, working hands, so she decided. Touch was still a very new experience to her, for ponies did not feel things the same way humans did, their fingers were so much more...feely. Every little nerve, every scratch and scrape, skin so thin. Luna had never noticed as a pony how little she was realizing, how much she missed out without being able to touch in this way. It was nice, and he has nice hands.
“I will, I have promised. I do not release my promises,” she said. “However, you also look very sorrowful, and I do not wish to see that look upon your face, Howard Stark. You are very handsome for a human, and I think you only need be smiling.”
He looked up from where he’d been staring down at the table again, and shook his head. “I am so sorry, my dear, you’re right, and I need get my act together, don’t I? How can I be sad when sitting here with the vision of loveliness that is yourself, sitting just across the table,” he told her, his sincerity starting to push away the sadness as he straightened up in his chair and met her eyes. He suddenly remembered the conversation they had had via voicemail a few weeks earlier and thought quickly about the date.
“And if my memory serves me better than it has been, I am supposed to be taking you on an outing to Central Park, over in New York, before the Door there closes, am I not?”
Luna smiled, but she was not quite sure if she should be flattered or not. The woman had a difficult time knowing as she was so rarely complimented before on a personal level. Clint Barton had said she was beautiful and she had not been sure how to take it. Now she was the ‘vision of loveliness,’ which sounded very nice but also not very her. People did not like her back home.
“All things come with time, and you are allowed to be sad, but I wish you were not. Perhaps a trip to Central Park, as you claim it is so nice, will also cheer you up? I would be happy to go.”
“Central Park is lovely, and they have some lovely restaurants, in particular a favourite of mine was Loeb Boathouse. It isn’t the same now as it was in my time, but Tony assures me it is still very lovely, and worth a visit.” He glanced at his watch, something the three men had bought together on their weekend in Manhattan, that had three dials, and could be set to the times through the doors, while maintaining the time on the Island.
“If I get onto Jarvis we can book a table, and perhaps a gondola ride?”//
Beaming brightly, Luna nodded. “I would like that,” she said after he moved, taking her hands back, putting them neatly on her lap. Her fingers fiddled with the sheer organza before twisting at one of her many dark brown curls. It was odd having real hair again. However, she loved to brush it and may just have gone to heaven if someone were to do so for her. Spa evenings at the castle had been the best evenings.
“I am ready when you are, Howard Stark. I will have my breakfast there.”
Howard looked down at his suit, suddenly rather glad he’d gone to the effort of showering, shaving and dressing properly before coming out. He had hoped it would help to distract him from the situation at the Tower, and was pleased it was working out so well. “Just let me organise things,” he told her, pulling out his communicator while giving her a smile and quickly sending a few messages, one to Tony, two to Jarvis and another to Tony.
Leaning forward, Luna tried to see what it was he was sending. Not in a nosy sort of way, but a curious, trying-to-understand-modern-technology kind of way. “You are very quick with your fingers,” she admired with a point at the device. “I am quite poor at using these machines. Clint Barton has showed me how, but he is also very good. I still cannot share my mouse photographs. Did you see the one of myself and a large mouse? Clint Barton took me to a wonderful amusement park called Disneyland.” She smiled, pointing again at the device.
Howard glanced up, finger poised over the screen, and shook his head. “No, but I will have to go and search for them, because that is something I would want to see!” he smiled. The unit in his hand beeped.
“I think we’re organised,” he said, the first reply coming straight away from Jarvis. “A car will meet us at the entrance to the reconstruction site through the door, to take us to the Boathouse,” he told her, pushing his chair back as he stood up.
“And yes, reservations are made!” he said happily following the second beep. He offered her his arm, and a smile. “Come, princess, let us away, and start your day!”
Rising as well, Luna fixed at her skirts with a rustle of her hands against the soft fabric. She flashed her legs in the process, and the pretty silver bangles at her ankles. “I will show you the giant mouse when we sit to breakfast,” said the princess with a nod. She took his arm, just as she had when they met, and was content to do so. The men here were so kind and gentlemanly--well, perhaps not all of them. Doug had some smoothing out to do but he was very sweet.
“Howard Stark? What is it when someone asks if you have ‘fallen from heaven’ because ‘you are as beautiful as an angel?’” She looked up at him curiously, seeing as her mind had wandered off to meeting Doug.
Howard laughed as he opened the door of the diner for her. “It means that someone thinks you’re a very beautiful woman, and that they’re quite smitten with you!” he told her, wondering who the person was who said this.
“Oh!” Luna bowed her head a bit and blushed. “It did not seem as such while we were speaking, though he was very honest that he thought I was quite pretty. I am not so sure I believe him, but I will not turn down a kind compliment,” she responded, following out. A hand tucked at her hair when the wind outside brushed against their cheek.
“Have you been asked if you have fallen from heaven, Howard Stark?” Luna asked with a smile.
“Not in this place!” he laughed, fairly sure it was a safe thing to say, given her lack of understanding.
“Ah, but you have?” she smiled and giggled with a shake of her head. “I am not so surprised.”
“It was another world, and another time,” Howard mused, pulling himself back from the wander down memory lane in an instant as he closed the diner door behind them and held out his arm to her again. “And who is it that has been smitten by your beauty? I do hope he’s a worthy contender for your affections!”
“I am not so sure that was his intent…” she said thoughtful. “His name is Doug, he is a policeman,” Luna elaborated as she retook Howard’s arm and coast along beside him, shoes clicking on the pavement. She looked up at him, then ahead as they started off for the door.
“A policeman named Doug,” Howard repeated thoughtfully. He hadn’t been keeping up on the new arrivals, his and Tony’s time being taken up with searching for some sign of Richie somewhere on the worlds on the other sides of the three doors.
He looked at Luna. “And I can assure you that if he is a man with a pulse he will have some intent, and not all of us are as capable of discerning the true princess among us!” he told her, patting her petite hand that rested on his forearm. Her innocence was of more concern to him, when it came to others arriving, and he did not want to see her taken advantage of by anyone who didn’t understand the differences between people here, and the ones in the worlds from which they arrived. “Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not meaning he will have anything but the best of intentions, but you would be well-advised to be sure of any man’s intentions before you give your affections.” He wondered if he had made any sense to her, given his own limited understanding of the workings of a woman’s mind in that area.
Smiling softly, Luna nodded. She understood enough. It was hard for her to communicate, sometimes, for reasons she could not explain. Perhaps that was why she had a hard time communicating in the first place. Luna was old fashioned, at best, considering she was still working on updating her terminology and understanding of even the most everyday lifestyle. Her information was archaic.
“You are very kind to me, I think your compliments do not do me justice,” she replied with a grin. “Doug is nice, but he is not like you or Clint Barton in manners.”
“Rest assured, princess, my compliments are merely statements of fact, and don’t even begin to do you justice,” he told her with sincerity as they turned the corner and approached the building with all the Doors. He looked at her and inclined his head in question. “So you and Clint Barton have been through here? You have seen the city in the state it is in?” he asked.
She smiled, but it fell a bit as they spoke of the city. Luna gave a nod in agreement. “I have. He was wandering, similarly to your sulking within the diner, and we went to walk about the city. He showed me the stars from the roof of this tower we will arrive at. It was beautiful. Then I saw the destruction, and I have seen much chaos in my thousands of years. When we left from it, we saw a musical production! It was spectacular.” She smiled with a wave of her hand as if motioning to the bright lights of the city.
He was glad in a way she had seen the zone on the other side of the door. He didn’t think he could have explained it particularly well at the moment. The last time he had been through here had been when returning from the weekend he’d spent with Richie and Tony and he had seen the destruction for himself, and just how involved his son and grandson were in the rebuilding, Tony’s money funding it, and Richie spending almost every waking hour over there working with the teams in the Restricted Zone.
“Then this evening we will simply pass through that area, pay homage to it with our silence, and move on to enjoy the lights and life of the city as it is beyond the fences!” he told her with a slightly forced, but otherwise happy smile.
Patting at Howard’s arm, Luna nodded. Once in a while, she seemed to stumble just a bit as they walked, glad to be holding to his arm as she passed it off as nothing. Her wings occasionally, however snapped open--likely, or nearly, swatting at the man. “Sorry!” she cried in the process, turning to face him so her wings moved away.
“I am still unused to this shape.” She blushed on their approach of the door.
Howard slowed, and put his hand back on hers again. “I’m sorry, I’m walking too fast,” he told her apologetically. He knew he sometimes walked faster when thinking, having let himself become distracted by thoughts of New York again.
“You’re doing very well, for a princess who’s been used to a completely different body!” he said as they approached the building. “You just remind me if I am walking too fast!”
“You are not fast! I am too slow!” said Luna with a laugh, wings folding up neatly behind her and with a shake of her long hair were mostly covered. Her fingers drummed over his arm as they moved along. “I think it is these shoes,” she finally state. “I do not like shoes.”
Howard glanced at her wings as they folded again, still a little bemused at the sight, but getting a lot more used to that sort of thing now. “It’s a lot easier for me to slow, than for you to have to gallop in these shoes,” he said to her as they neared the stairs. “You are a sensible young lady and while those shoes make your legs look divine, they were definitely not designed by someone who had to walk in them!” he told her, having wondered at some point if he could create a woman’s shoe that would cradle their foot in comfort while encouraging the extension of the leg that a heel did so well, but shook his head quickly when he realised that he had again allowed himself to be distracted.
Luna laughed, pausing as she held her leg forward slightly, toe pointed. The shoes were not extremely tall, more like a kitten-like sandal, but still really not something a girl learning to walk on two legs should wear. She found they were better than no shoes, however, on all of this hard ground without her horseshoes on.
“You like my legs, Howard Stark? I do not think they are as long as before. I was very slender.” she asked both thoughtfully and if not a sliver teasingly. “Rarity has supplied me with the footwear. I would still rather wear nothing.”
“You have a lovely turn of ankle my dear!” he told her truthfully, and with a rather theatrical sigh. “No matter what style of shoe you are wearing,” he added with a wink. “And your legs are the perfect length, as they reach the ground quite nicely!”
“You are taller, so yours must be longer, and thus by your logic are better,” she replied, pausing as they got to the building of doors. “But, thank you. I’ll have to tell Clint Barton and ask for his opinion. He seems to enjoy doing such, as he is always laughing.”
“You should indeed ask Clint Barton,” he agreed, “but tell me first, how so are mine better?” he asked with surprise, looking down at his trousered legs. “In fact they are just reaching the ground also, so I would say we are both pretty lucky!” He laughed and again offered her his arm to start up the stairs into the building.
“Mmm...perhaps,” said Luna with a playful, innocent smile. She pulled from his arm and with step forward she lifted into the air and reached the top step well before Howard--less he tried to race her, but she would likely win with flight! Her dress billowed in her motion, wings large in the evening light.
“Mine do not touch the ground, now.”
Howard stood there, eyes widening as she floated up the stairs, then chuckling softly. “That, my dear princess, is hardly fair on us mere mortals!” he said, walking up the stairs and joining her at the top. “But I will have to say that while you’re indeed correct, that they no longer reach the ground, it makes them no less lovely!”
Luna landed and smiled up at Howard when he met her on the landing, her hands at her side. “Thank you very much,” she said with sincerity. It was always nice to be complimented. The men here were far more generous with their words than the colts and stallions back home. Though, she really did not spend time with them on a one-on-one basis as she had come to do so, here. Perhaps under the watchful eye of the guards, they were shy?
“Would you like to fly?” she asked. “I will show you the stars in New York City!”
Now Howard really was staring at her, the petite young woman standing next to him who was offering to take him flying. “I’m going to take a wild guess here that you are not meaning in an aeroplane,” he suggested, head angled a little.
“I do not know what an aeroplane is, so likely not,” she responded, standing tall as she could, hands resting on her slender hips. She was somewhat ruler shaped, with a bit of a waistline separated from her hips, but nothing shapely or sexy like an hourglass. How sad. “Do you wish to?”
“I most certainly would,” Howard said, a tiny bit of trepidation stirring down deep at the thought of being ‘flown’ without any control of an aircraft around him, and only the wings of a small ‘princess’ who only existed on the Island through some mysterious workings of a Spire he’d still not been able to look closely at. “Though I will admit that it will be strange, to be without any aircraft,” he added. “Have you taken many others flying?”
Turning, glad to hear he had agreed, Luna pushed for the door. She had promised she would show him the stars of New York, so there they would go to first. When the door was open she looked back at him and gave a very soft, mature smile. “No,” she said. “Does that frighten you?” asked the small princess, still smiling, eyes on the clean face of her companion.
“I promise you will not be harmed.”
“Oh, well that’s always good. There’ve been times I haven’t been able to make that promise to my passengers myself until much later in a flight,” he murmured, almost beneath his breath, as he followed her to the door and held it for her. He did manage to smile as he met her eyes, surprised a little at the look in them. “I’ve never been a particularly good passenger.”
Murmuring a thanks and bowing her head as he held the door, Luna stepped into the room of Stark Tower and looked around. Same as when she’d been here last, not that she had expected it to change, but it was a marvelous place. Moving forward, she wanted to look out one of the many giant windows, hoping perhaps that the chaos had been cleaned up and the streets would return to simplicity. Alas.
“It will not be so bad,” said Luna finally on the subject of the flight. “Though I hope you do not mind I will have to hold you. I am no longer a pony upon which one would sit.”
Howard shook his head in agreement. “No, you are definitely not one for that!” he said, averting his eyes from gazing out onto the construction site. Since he had been through they had done a lot of work on Stark Tower, but the area immediately outside was still very much the hub of the operation, the portable buildings that had been brought in as site offices and first aid locations still in situ, and the streets leading away showing the heavy machinery and vehicles that would be working during the day, but were now being gone over by maintenance crews as the operations crews were knocking off from their shifts.
“Perhaps we should wait until we are at the park, and there is less chance of us giving someone a fright with our appearance?” he suggested, knowing they had been able to explain away the two Na’vi Islanders by reference to mutants, but not so sure the concept of a winged woman would be as easily brushed under the rug, even by Tony.
“That sounds like a very good idea,” Luna agreed as she walked from the window back to his side and toward the lift. She stretched a bit, as if still waking up all of the sudden, and brushing her fingers through her hair. It was weird having solid hair and she rather missed her tail. She missed many things about being a pony though she had come to very much enjoy the island. It was a new leaf! Luna took all she had learned at home and applied it to her life here in such a way that she hoped she was helpful. Guardian of the night, though she could not raise the moon, she oversaw nightmares as normal. She made friends, and several seemed to be awake even in the nightly hours. She would give a wave on her way by on her rounds.
“Howard Stark?” she looked up at him as they wait for the elevator. “How old are you, if you do not mind my asking.”
He had been about to head out to the waiting car he could see at the gates, but turned and followed her to the lifts, a little surprised at her question. “I’m twenty eight,” he answered, his puzzlement clear on his face.
“Oh, that is very young!” she smiled. “I am sorry. I was thinking of home,” Luna elaborated upon seeing his face. She seemed to try to think of a way to explain, but only shook her head at herself. “I was merely thinking about the differences between here and there, and how much I have come to like it, but I do not know how old I am. I have read some paperwork that lists dates of birth, ages, and it seems important. There is a drinking age, or a smoking age, and all identification seems likewise, but I do not have one.” She hoped that made sense and looked for understanding upon Howard’s visage, hands folded in front of herself, bracers tinkling as they clicked together.
Howard blinked and managed to make sense of most of what she said, but was unsure what had caused her to ask. He looked around, as if expecting to see someone demanding a pilot’s license, or some other form of identification. But there was no-one.
“I’ve always said you’re only as old as… “ He stopped for a brief moment and quickly rephrased the rest of that statement. “... you feel.” His face showed his confusion, but he cleared it quickly.
Another smile. “That’s very wise,” she observed, then tilt her head just a bit. “I’m sorry, I’ve said something strange,” Luna apologized with a little frown of her own. “Please, forgive me, I did not mean to.” Her small hand reached for his arm, bracelet twinkling as she moved.
“What would you like to talk about, instead?” she asked, trying to smile again and change the subject. She felt bad for making him make that face, if only for a second. Honestly, Luna had thought ages were not very important, but back home everyone knew and didn’t care. Here, she had read many things on this “Internet” and often found ages chalked up there along with a birthday, hair and eye color, height or weight. She was not sure how old she was supposed to be, but she was aware that humans could not possibly live for as long as she had naturally. So, she was curious, and Howard Stark was an amazingly smart man. Perhaps the jump to the topic was the most strange, but she had so many questions.
“No, no, not strange, I’m just unsure as to why one needs to declare one’s age?” He had always been ahead of his time, completing schooling before boys of his age, studying at university where he was regarded as a boy-genius by the professors, and a show off by those who knew he was a student.
“To be truthful, I am not sure I agree with the process. Back home, it was not something often talked about. If you were not a filly’s age, you likely found your talent and began work. There were no limitations or restrictions set by a pony’s age, which is why I find it so odd here. I was asked when I ordered a wine for identification and if I was twenty-one, which I do not know. One cannot say they are one-thousand years old here, this I am sure of.” Luna said by way of explanation and conversation, speaking in her real voice, tone thoughtful and mature, her wonder and play set aside for the moment.
“I had no identification to share, regardless, so I had none with my meal. It was something of a shame as I was looking forward to seeing if it tasted differently.” The princess gave a small pout. She was no alcoholic, but being royalty and often having various soft drinks like wine or champagne around made her curious to see the differences amongst culture.
“I’m sure with you speaking like this now there will be no questions asked,” he told her, a little unsure still of where the conversation was going, and whether he should just lead them out to the car to make their way to the Park, and dinner. He held out his arm again, smiling. “Why don’t we go and find out, and if there is any bother I will be sure to take care of it for you.”
“Alright,” agreed Luna with a smile as she took his arm. “It is not a problem, though, so please do not worry about it. I saw a sign and thought of it,” she motioned toward the window behind her as she stood at his side.
“What sort of restaurant are we going to? Do you know what you will be having? Or have you not yet been?” She thought a moment and shook her head slightly at herself. This wasn’t his time, so he probably hadn’t gone. Stupid question. Oh, well. She smiled and wait for Howard to lead the way.
And lead the way he did, making sure to shorten his stride and slow his pace so she could walk comfortably. The bright lights outside the windows of Stark Tower illuminated the area like day, which made it easier to navigate the road surface and reach the entrance gate to the zone, where the car was waiting for them. Howard nodded a greeting to the driver, whom he’d come to know during their Stark Men’s weekend just a few weeks earlier, when Richie was with them. He sighed and handed Luna into the car, the driver holding the door open.
Following after, Luna smiled and looked at the car curiously. Her fingers felt over the interior and she touched the ceiling, admiring the air ventilation slats. “My chariot did not have any of these,” she said toward Howard. “Well, it was very comfortable, but there was no true roofing less it were raining. However, it did not quite feel like this.” She grinned and put her hands in her lap to wait for the drive, not knowing to apply a safety buckle.
“Yes, I think you will find there are a few differences to these ‘chariots’,” he chuckled. Howard slipped onto the seat next to her, the driver closing the door and quickly making his way around to take his seat on the other side of the glass partition. The sound-proofing of the limousine was top grade and the car moved off from the kerb, the traffic still thick from the evening rush hour.
“And in answer to your questions before we are going to a restaurant called Loeb Boathouse, on the lake in Central Park, and if you like afterwards we can take a gondola ride, out on the lake, which is very beautiful both day and night.”
Turning to face Howard, knees together properly and her hands resting over them, Luna smiled. “That all sounds very lovely,” she agreed excitedly. “Thank you for taking me out today. It is nice to spend time with a friend. I now understand my sister’s assignment to Twilight Sparkle. Perhaps it should have been mine, as well,” she joked, though her tone made it difficult to tell if she were in fact joking. Luna was not very good at being funny on purpose, though she did try, but her archaic accent and language seemed out of place.
“What is it you like to do in your spare time? Other than attend these nice restaurants with your friends?” she asked. “You told me you work on...what did you call them?” Luna’s hands moved but she seemed to be grasping for nothing, not being able to remember what exactly it was he had said when they met. Perhaps she did not actually know.
Howard smiled at her attempt to make conversation. “I am an inventor, I guess you would call it,” he answered, glad the glass partition was closed so he didn’t have to think twice about what he was saying in earshot of the driver, who while knew him as Marcus, had also heard both Tony and Richie slip from time to time and call him Howard when in the car.
“I joined my father in the family business, and we build and improve various things for the military, and other organisations,” he told her. “I designed the Vita-ray machine that helped created Captain America!” he told her with a twinkle in his eye. At least that was someone she might know, or at least have heard of on the Island. “Captain Steve Rogers is his name, and he’s on the Island in two forms, one is the form before the change, and one is the way he is now.”
Listening, trying to make sure she heard and remembered everything correctly. Inventor, she told herself. “Fascinating,” she said brightly. “Though, I am not quite sure what kind of machine that is, as we did not have highly advanced machinery or technology. We did have several cranes and wrecking balls for that which is too large for a simple pony to do, but not a…. Vee-tah-ray machine.”
One hand cupping under her chin, the other holding her elbow, she considering if she knew this Steve Rogers, Captain. “Oh! He is the gentlecolt with the star upon his breast? Yes, I have seen a photograph of him with Clint Barton!” She seemed proud to have remembered such information.
Laughing softly Howard nodded. “Yes, that’s Steve. Or at least that’s Captain America. Steve is a little different, not quite the hero-type, which is why he was such a great one back then.” He couldn’t help but feel a little sad at the mention of the man he’d grown to know so well in a different world, who didn’t seem to be quite so reachable here.
“So tell me about your world, Equestria isn’t it?” he asked, curious as to just how her world matched and didn’t match the one they were all in now.
Smiling as he laughed, Luna tilt her head at the question, and seemed thoughtful once again. “Equestria is a singular continent with many small areas located upon it, similar to your United States. I have seen a map, on this “Internet” and I am very impressed with the size of the country!” She used air quotes but used three fingers instead of two, by accident.
“I am from the capitol, Canterlot, which is near center. It’s a beautiful place with a palace in a mountain’s side, white pathways, color everywhere. We are a much brighter place than this world which seems so gray in comparison. Of course, we are ponies.” She giggles.
He listened, his mind struggling a little with the fictional description, but still managing to keep a grasp on it. “And you are the princess,” he said, knowing that from their first meeting and her mistaking him for a royal guard, something he still grinned at when he remembered.
“Yes. I am one of several. My elder sister, Celestia, is princess of the day and sun. Once, we used to use our magic to raise and lower the sun and moon respectively. After I was put into the moon, she took care of it.” A small frown at the memory, but her fingers tucked her hair behind an ear.
“Princess Cadence is our princess of heart and rules the Crystal Empire with her husband, Twilight Sparkle’s elder brother, if you could believe such irony.” She smiled. “Princess Twilight Sparkle is my big sister’s student and prodigy. She will do great things for our kingdom, one day.” Luna beamed.
Even though Howard found it a challenge to keep a straight face again, he nodded, and managed to do so. He realised that her reality was straight out of a child’s fantasy world, but then he had realised since being brought to the Island that everyone’s reality was potentially someone else’s fantasy. “That sounds delightful,” he told her, nodding. “And Applejack? She is from your world also. Tell me about her,” he asked.
Nodding, Luna sighed a bit. “Well, I am not very close with Applejack, though she taught me a lesson at my last Nightmare Night. She is very friendly and understanding of others, so I asked her to teach me how to be...friendly and...well liked.” She looked at her lap, cheeks pink.
“I struggle with normalcy…” The princess bit her lip and glanced away nervously, as if it wasn’t already obvious enough.
Now Howard found himself digging his nails into the palm of his hand at her last words, his head turning to look out the front of the car before he managed to turn back to her.
“I think that considering the circumstances there are a few of us who struggle with normalcy, my dear,” he told her, patting her hand reassuringly. “And really? What is normal to one, is the exact opposite to another. But it is much easier to have a happy life if one has friends, and is friendly.”
Luna felt a little bit relieved at his words, turning her hands over to hold his for just a moment, if so allowed.
“Well, considering my last conscious conversation was over one thousand years ago, perhaps I should say I struggle with modernity.” She made a face, unsure, but it could be considered a cute face, by some. At this point, Luna let go of his hand and let them gather on her lap.
“I do not remember much of the world from the moon. Though, I was not quite me there. However! I was telling of you Applejack. She is a very honest and hard-working pony. I have seen her crops here, and I am quite proud of her dedication to continuing her farming life as well as creating a family.”
“Yes, hardworking indeed!” Howard agreed with a smile. “So I am guessing your life must have been fairly lonely, if you were only ever up during the night?” he suggested. He knew there was little to compare her life with in his own world, but he did wonder how this young woman would assimilate into the Island life, given her background. “Did you ever have the opportunity to meet any princes in your world?”
Luna looked away rather awkwardly. “That is why I was put in the moon,” she said. “Because I was lonely.” A small shrug, trying to bypass it. “You will see that side of me in a few nights, if you go out on Nightmare Night. It’s really very fun. How you say, ‘huzzah’!” She smiled a bit more brightly.
“There are plenty of princes, but they are all quite boring. And the king, he was quite tragic in his villainous rage.”
“Villainous rage?” Howard asked, managing to keep a straight face but not without some enormous strain on his self control. “How terrible!”
The car eased its way through the traffic, reaching the point where the surprise was awaiting. As the car pulled up Howard glanced outside, smiling as he saw what was waiting for them. “Come, princess, your carriage awaits!” he said as he exited the car, the door now being held open for them.
Luna nodded, though she beamed when the door opened and she spot the carriage. “Oh!” she laughed and carefully slipped from the back seat to stand. “This is wonderful, Howard Stark! You know how to make a pony feel welcome,” she complimented, putting a hand on his arm in thanks. It did mean a lot to her that he spoke with her so plainly, and the carriage felt like the icing on the cake!
“Is this a regular thing for humans, to ride upon a carriage such as this?” For her, it was a daily mode of transportation, just as a human might use a car.
“Many years ago it was the main form of transportation, yes, before the motor car was invented. These days it is mainly just a tourist attraction, especially here in the park, or on special occasions or historical re-enactments, that the carriages are brought out.” He led her to where the driver was holding the door open for them, handing her up into the small buggy and following her in. “And as the Park is so large, and no cars allowed, it’s a popular way for people to get around and see it all.”
“It’s beautiful, and a lovely tradition,” she said. Her wings flittered but she reminded herself to keep them put away, not wanting to startle any normal human. Luna then looked back for Howard, holding out a hand to help him up, though he seemed pretty quick for her.
“Our trains are drawn by pony,” she told him. “We have carriages for special events, as well. Typically for royal occasions. Ponies are not adverse to walking.”
“I would hope not!” Howard laughed, straightening his jacket as he settled into the seat next to her, giving her a sideways glance as he lowered his voice to a whisper. “And the ones who can fly might want to keep that their little secret, so they don’t frighten the natives!” He indicated the others around the area, one couple with a small boy tugging at his hand to keep walking and telling him to stop telling fibs when he tried to get his parents to look at the ‘angel in the carriage with the wings!’.
Luna smiled and blushed, hiding her face behind her hair as she bowed her head. “It was an accident, I apologize,” she whispered back, fingers tossing her hair over her back to hide the tiny little folded wings. “Normally, I do not need to fold them so often. Not that it is an excuse.” She smiled side-long in return, folding her hands over her skirt and fiddling with the organza layer overtop.
“He is a cute child,” Luna glanced his way after they had mostly been out of sight. “I do like children very much.”
“I’m sure he’ll survive,” Howard reassured her, patting her hand. He didn’t really have a lot of experience with children, and they’d never featured in his life, most of it being dedicated to Stark Industries and his inventions. “Children have a way of being very creative, that most of us adults put down to imagination.” He gave her a smile. “I’m just lucky my imagination gave me the ideas to build a business, and not a world of fantasy, though I guess some would argue with that.” As many of his detractors had, saying his outlandish ideas were ridiculous, and preposterous and just ‘not possible’.
“And now look at me! Here I am living in a world, or on an Island, that is everything to do with fantasy!” he laughed softly, a small curious frown creasing his forehead for a brief moment as he wondered about the correlation between the two. Quickly brushing it aside he turned his attention back to Luna. “You might have a number of young children on the Island very soon, to keep you on your toes!”
Giggling, Luna nodded at Howard on all accounts. Her blush faded in the evening air and her fingers pushed at her hair once again to move it down her back. Her wings were mostly hidden, now. Then, she tilted her head.
“I do not plan on having children, Howard Stark,” she said with a smile, misunderstanding him. “I do not think I am in such position to do so.” A hand drew over the metal necklace upon her collar, tracing the crescent moon shape imprinted on the adornment.
“I wish I could understand your inventions. I am sure they are lovely.”
“Oh there will be plenty of children soon enough, from what I’ve seen and what my son and grandson have told me!” he assured her. “And with there being little else to do for those who are able, it seems that many of the women are taking the steps to ensure the next generation of Island folk are not entirely dependent on the random arrivals of others through whatever force it is that brings us all to this strange place.” He gave her a wink and smile. “And while they’re not in your plans, it doesn’t mean you won’t be a mother one day, my dear. I’m sure there’s every chance of a dashing young gentlepony arriving sometime who will soon change those plans of yours!”
“Oh! Yes,” she smiles and feels rather silly, a blush flaring on her cheeks as he winked at her. Why did he do that? And why did her face feel hot? Odd. Luna shook her head and chuckled, glancing away.
“You are catching on to the lexicon, soon you will speak with the easy of any pony of my home!” the brunette teased at him, glancing back to catch his reaction. “I have never thought of myself as a mother. I am still young by the definition of my sister and I. We are old in years, but young with the world.” Luna shift on her seat.
“It is a complicated process for royalty. I am far too practical. Besides, I still have much to learn.”
“When it comes to matters of the heart, dear princess, only you can decide what is right when. But I’m certainly no expert in that field, and to be honest the mind of a woman is still such a mystery to me I am not yet able to understand!” he laughed softly, shaking his head as the carriage approached the lake. The lights of the restaurant reflected off the surface, ripples from the small gondolas creating criss-cross patterns across it.
“Mmm,” Luna hummed in response, nodding a bit. “I could likely not help you,” she told him. “My ways are old fashioned, though everypony was trying to help me until I came here.” A small shrug, then her eyes lit up at the sight coming into view.
“Oh, it’s beautiful,” she murmured, leaning forward in her seat, fingers on the rim of the carriage.
“It is, isn’t it?” Howard agreed, the vista appearing quite romantic, which for a moment made him glance at her, as it wasn’t what he had been thinking when suggesting it. He cleared his throat a little and fiddled with his tie for a moment. “It’s different to what I remember though, they’ve made some changes to the building, added on more, and the verandah is quite lovely.”
“I am amazed!” she said in awe. It was a little difficult for her to keep still, fascinated, but she remembered her princessly manners and sat comfortably while using her gaze to see anything and everything she could. “We have a similar bridge in Canterlot,” Luna observed with a gentle point in the distance toward one of the overpaths throughout the park.
“I am very looking forward to this. How will I repay you for taking me out?” she asked, looking back to her friend and giving a warm smile.
“Your company tonight will be more than enough,” Howard told her with a smile as the carriage drew to a stop next to the entrance to the establishment. “After all, it’s cheered me up without any question of a lie,” he added, nodding to the driver as he opened the door for them. Howard quickly descended the step to the ground and turned and offered Luna his hand.
Beaming, Luna felt very happy. She had enjoyed her reunion with her sister these last few years, and getting to know the pony’s of her land, but this was nicer than all of that. She was just herself! Exploring and learning at her own pace with kind people who had no reason to fear her for they had no idea of her past, and when she told them it sounded like an old pony’s tale!
“I’m glad to hear that,” Luna said as she took Howard’s hand, stepping down to the ground.
“Let’s dine, shall we?” he said and lead her inside. Their table was on the verandah, overlooking the lake and the meal was sumptuous along with the conversation. All through the meal the small gondolas made their way lazily across the water’s surface, carrying passengers on an evening ride around the large lake.
“If you are ready, Mr Stark, we have a gondola ready for you and your companion,” came the soft, cultured voice of the maitre de after the last of the coffee cups had been emptied.
Howard looked at Luna and inclined his head. “Would you like to go for a ride, my dear?” he asked.
Luna fully enjoyed the meal, finding it somewhat reminiscent to her home, the castle cooks were to die for! And Howard was a darling. She ate, and was content, and when their kind attendant came by she nodded to Howard.
“I would like nothing more,” she said. “I have not been on a river or lake in a very long time.”
The maitre de signaled to the gondolier who was waiting at the entrance to the dock and led the two across, introducing them to “Marco, he is your gondolier tonight, and has quite the lovely singing voice so please do not hesitate to have him sing for you if you so desire!” Howard smiled and thanked the maitre de, and gave Luna his arm as they followed Marco across the wooden pontoon to the waiting gondola.
Taking the arm offered, Luna let herself be led along, trusting of Howard as they moved. She had nothing to fear on his arm. Her skirt swished around, to and fro, and she shift on his arm comfortably, brushing by.
“This is all really very wonderful,” Luna said. “I have never had such a good time. Where you come from, did you enjoy these types of things often?”
“We did, at least until the war broke out. Then it was more a case of grabbing any sort of fun you could between long hours in the lab working on new …” He noticed the gondolier was listening to the conversation, mainly because it was impossible not to, and was careful in what he said. “... ideas for the military. There’s a fair bit of travel involved as well,” he added, before turning to Marco. “What would you like to sing for us?” he asked the man, who named a few songs, Howard selecting one and suggesting it. The man’s voice was rather good, but Howard knew that it was a good deal more difficult for him to discern what the two of them were talking about if he was singing.
Smart stallion. Luna would have done that same, realizing she had asked a more private question that their little driver need not participate in. She shift on her seat carefully, and looked at Howard, then beyond him to look out at the beautiful view. When her gaze found Howard again she beamed, flashing her white teeth.
“Did you have many friends?” she asked. “To spend time with, doing these sorts of things?”
Howard was thoughtful for a long moment, considering the question. “There were a number of folk I’d enjoy partying with,” he replied, “some friends I would see there, whenever I could. But a lot more people were always willing to party than work, and I was always wanting to work as well, so most found that a little less to their liking, shall we say.”
“I see,” Luna nodded in understanding. She had few friends because many did not attend to the night when she was awake, which made it difficult for her. So, she was very glad to have met people here. Not to mention she had started to learn and understand, to change even in her short time. Luna did not want to be stuck in the past.
“I was similiar, I suppose. My work during the night left me without many to attend with! It was very lonely.”
“So it sounds to me as if you’re situation is similar to mine, that the trip here has in fact been good in many ways?” he suggested, not sure how he’d handle not having anyone around to work with.
“I think so,” agreed Luna. “Though, I do miss home, I have enjoyed meeting so many new faces and learning of the culture.” the princess smiled warmly as she then looked around and admired their reflection on the water’s surface as they were swept by.