Winter Dust trudged alone through the hazy streets of what he assumed was Canterlot. As his sleeping mind struggled to make sense of the dream world, he would occasionally recognize a building or a place. Still, the moments of clarity were few and far between. Winter didn't know what he was doing or where he was walking - not that he particularly cared. Come the morning, all of this would anyway turn into an unremarkable and promptly forgotten dream.

Suddenly, Winter's aimless mind was invaded by a stray thought.

'Wasn't it day just a moment ago?'

The fog that was enveloping his mind suddenly lifted. He looked around and realized that the sun had set. Strangely enough, in the dim light of the moon, the streets of Canterlot finally took on their true form. Winter realized he was in one of the narrow alleys near the main square. There was nopony around him and nothing to do, so he decided he might as well keep walking.

Luna observed the large fountain in front of her with little interest. She was an experienced dreamer and could shape the world around her as she pleased with a simple thought. As of now, Luna was using those godlike powers to mess with the water in the fountain. She could make it stop dead in its tracks, spin around in circles, boil, and freeze at the same time. Watching the rules of physics break at her whim was mildly amusing but still far from engaging.

Her little nap was taking far longer than she thought it would. Once again, the dream world was proving to her that it played by its own rules. Luna could not tell how long she'd already been standing here, but it was starting to get dull.

"Ahh, you again! Good evening, Princess Luna."

The sudden voice behind her nearly made her wake up. The dream wavered a little, but Luna quickly wrestled back control of it. Standing just to her left with a mildly confused expression on his face was Winter Dust. Luna's first instinct was to assume that he was just a figment of her imagination. A prank that her subconscious mind played on her. But as she inspected him closer, she just knew it couldn't be the case. Looking into his eyes, Luna didn't see any of that unmistakable hollowness that all creatures born from a dream shared. It really was Winter standing in front of her.

"You know, I am starting to get the feeling that you are following me around," Winter said jokingly as Luna struggled to regain her composure.

"We-I... Certainly not!" she exclaimed a little too quickly, earning herself a hearty laugh from Winter. Right as she said it, she realized it was a lie. There was no way he should be in her dream. There was no way he could be in her dream. Which left only one option left... Somehow, she was in his dream. Again!

"Well, what are you doing here then?"

Judging by his smile, Luna thought he was teasing her, but she couldn't be sure. Her intangible heart was beating like a drum in her intangible chest as she tried to come up with a reply. What would dream Luna say?

"I don't know, you tell me. After all, it's your dream, not mine," Luna said finally, with what she hoped was a natural-looking smile. Technically, that wasn't even a lie… Technically.

"Touché."

Luna relaxed a little. She could play along for now and later figure out what was going on. The two of them silently stared at each other. Luna could practically see the gears spinning in Winter's head as his mind was trying to cope with her intrusion. After a moment, Winter shrugged and looked around, seemingly content with her presence.

"Care to go for a walk? It doesn't look like there's much to do here."

"Of course."

Luna nervously joined Winter's side. He was leading her away from the square and into the maze of crooked streets that surrounded it. Beside the sound of their hooves on the hard cobblestone road, the entire city was dead quiet.

"You know, when I saw you in the morning, I couldn't help but notice that you seemed somewhat... tense," Winter said suddenly.

"I didn't sleep very well. And I had an... accident in the morning," the sentence came out before Luna could think twice about it.

"An accident?"

"I- I slipped and fell... in the bathroom," Luna admitted reluctantly.

The corners of Winter's mouth twitched as he desperately tried to hold back a laugh: "Slipped? Well, happens to the best of us I guess."

"Poking fun at a princess is not very gallant of you," Luna jabbed back, feigning hurt.

"Poking fun? Oh, I would never, Your Highness! I am merely shaken to my core that the floor would dare to betray you like this!"

Luna snickered, not so much at the joke but at Winter desperately struggling to hold back a laugh. She found it odd how quickly she was getting comfortable in her new role of impersonator. Although, the fact that she was impersonating herself most likely helped.

"If you are done now, care to tell me where we are going?" Luna asked, ready to abandon the memory of her morning shenanigans.

"Hmm, good question. Still considering our options." He came to an abrupt stop as they reached an intersection. Winter thought for a moment, then he looked at Luna. "How about this... Do you like coffee?"

"Pff," Luna let out in a very unprincessly manner. "Like doesn't fully convey the emotion."

Winter smiled in reply.

"You know, somehow I had a feeling you'd say that. You must really be the mare of my dreams. And, lucky for you, I know the best coffee shop in Canterlot. They have these special frou-frou kinds of coffees that are just - well, you'll see."

"Sounds rather nice," Luna stated simply, doing her best to ignore the casual flirt.

"After that, you can tell me if it beats the coffee they have in the palace. At least the stuff they give us tastes like colored water."

As the duo walked the empty streets, the topic of debate kept shifting from one topic to another. Luna learned that Winter had only been serving in the palace for a couple of months now. On the other hoof, Winter was amused when Luna complained about there being over thirty different types of curtains she had to asses with her 'royal attention to detail.'

With both sides enjoying each other's company, the conversation flowed naturally despite the topics being mundane.

"… and that little sweetness brings out the flavor, which makes the taste that much better!" Luna enthusiastically finished her argument.

Winter nodded, seemingly deep in thought. After a moment he stated: "I respectuflly disagree and officialy request that you keep pineapple and pizza apart while in my vicinity."

Luna opened her mouth to oppose him, but Winter cut her off with a raised wing before she could defend her culinary preferences: "And with that argument-winning statement out, I'd like to inform you that we... have arrived!" Winter winked at her when he noticed her annoyed pout and theatrically pointed to his right.

When Luna looked up, she saw that Winter had led them to a small, unassuming coffee shop tucked in one of the smaller side alleys. It was squeezed between two larger buildings, and its facade gave the impression that it had been there for ages. As Winter nudged the door open with his hoof, the hinge let out a gentle squeal as if it hadn't been oiled in years.

"The best in Canterlot? Are you sure?"

"Completely sure. After you, Princess."

Tentatively, Luna stepped through the door. The shop consisted of a single large room, dominated by a long counter that stood in its center. Scattered along the walls at irregular intervals were small booths – each fitted with four well-worn but comfortable-looking pillows around a low table. The warm colors and dim lighting gave the place a very cozy, welcoming feeling. Save for a single pony behind the counter, there was nopony else but them.

"First impressions?"

"It looks – rather nice," Luna tentatively admitted. "I am still unsure about it being 'the best, 'though."

"Let's order something then!"

Winter trotted over to the counter. Luna noted with some amusement that many of the items listed on the menu were scrambled and utterly unreadable as Winter's memory struggled to piece together the finer details. He seemed unbothered by it, though, as he studied the selection, which made Luna chuckle a little as she observed him. Meanwhile, the barista watched them both with a completely blank expression.

After a bit of thinking, Winter decided to order something called 'Morning Special with Extra Cinnamon.' Without being able to read most of the menu anyway, Luna chose the same. Soon, the two of them were sitting cozily in a booth next to the window.

"So this is it?" asked Luna as she slowly rotated the cup of coffee with her magic. It looked just like any regular cup of coffee. At least, at first glance, it didn't seem like anything special.

"This is it," Winter nodded and took a big gulp from his own cup. He seemed pleased and looked at Luna with an encouraging smile.

Feeling a little guilty, Luna smiled back and slowly brought the cup to her lips. As she took a sip, she wasn't least bit surprised that the liquid tasted like nothing in her mouth. It was just another peculiarity of the dream word. Smells and tastes were only perceivable to whoever conceived the dream. Still, she didn't want to disappoint Winter, so she put on her best smile.

"Mhh, yes. This coffee really is just splendid!"

A great actress, Luna was not. As soon as those words left her mouth, she realized how forced they sounded.

Winter's smile faltered a little, but he quickly recovered. He leaned in a little closer to her and, with a sleazy smile, asked: "Reeeeally?"

"Yes, the best one I've ever had," Luna said awkwardly, taking a long sip of the tasteless liquid. Winter now seemed on the verge of laughter.

"How would you describe it?"

"Pff, it's like…The cinnamon and the coffee go so well together!"

Winter just playfully shook his head. "Has anypony ever told you that you are a horrible liar?"

"Tia has. Once or twice," Luna admitted sheepishly. "I am sorry. I just didn't want to disappoint you."

"Don't worry about it, Princess. You can be straight with me. I am a big colt. I can take it."

Luna smiled a little. Winter continued slowly sipping his coffee while staring out the window at the abandoned street.

"For a dream, it all looks so real," Winter stated all of a sudden and turned his attention back to Luna. "It really feels like I am sitting here with you, just... drinking coffee. And I don't even know why. I barely know you, and yet, here you are."

"Maybe you would just like to know me better?" Luna said, surprising even herself. Winter smiled at her with that charming smile she was all too quickly getting used to.

"Maybe. But if that's the case, I am worried that I'll be left disappointed."

Luna opened her mouth to ask why, but before she could utter a word, the dream world abruptly shattered around her. The experience was like looking into a broken mirror. The dream splintered into shards that floated away from her in a kaleidoscope of odd colors and shapes. Winter was the last one to fade away; judging by his calm look, he was completely unaware of what was happening.

And then it was just Luna in a pitch-black darkness.

For a panicked moment the Princess desperately thrashed around as she struggled to figure out what was going on. If only that annoying ringing that pierced her ears would stop, then she could actually focus on escaping this limbo. Then, as if her brain had finally turned on, she realized what was going on. Her struggles ceased, and her hoof slammed the alarm clock with a lot more force than necessary—finally silencing it. She was awake in the hidden alcove and buried under a pile of pillows. Her nap time was over.

For a few more minutes, she just lay there, wondering what was now happening in Winter's dream. Did he see her disappear and wake up himself, or did his mind simply replace her with dream Luna right away? She didn't like how uncomfortable that latter thought made her feel.

His night shift was about to start soon, and Winter Dust was just finishing donning his armor. He carefully adjusted the shiny metal plates to make them rest comfortably against his backside. Tonight, Winter Dust was feeling an unusual sense of unease. He still didn't know where he'd be stationed tonight, and while a part of him was excited that it might be in front of her bedchamber, the other was nervous for the very same reason. Luna has made her way into his dreams three nights in a row now. It was getting serious, but Winter wasn't ready to think about the implications of it just yet.

"What's going on, Snow? You're taking your sweet time tonight. Don't tell me you're tired."

Winter groaned when he heard Sundance use the nickname she made up for him. "You know I wish you'd stop calling me that."

Sundance wasn't least bit phased by his remark. If anything, her grin widened even further as she playfully poked his side. "Uff, someone got out of bed on the wrong side today. And just for the record, I am not going to stop - you know why?"

"Enlighten me."

"Because I know you love it, Snow," Sundance said sleazily, putting as much emphasis on the word Snow as she could.

Winter rolled his eyes at her, but nonetheless, Sundance's remark managed to get a small smile out of him. The mare's perpetually good mood was infectious. With some effort, Winter finally managed to get the last stubborn clasp to latch, and with that, his preparations were ready.

"Where do you think you'll be tonight?" Sundance asked as they waited for their commander.

"Doesn't make much difference, does it? Although, last time I got to speak to Princess Luna a little, so that was kind of nice," Winter realized he made a mistake the moment he saw the mischievous look on Sundance's face.

"Going straight for the top, are we? Somepony is ambitions!"

"…"

"What did you and Princess talk about?"

"Nothing. Just forget I said anything."

Sundance obviously wasn't halfway done picking at him, but Winter was saved by the arrival of their commander. Besides him and Sundance, there were six other guards in the barracks, and they all stood at attention the moment their commander walked in. They quickly formed two rows in front of him, with Sundance and Winter ending up in the very back, right next to each other. The commander went through a list assigning each guard their duties for the night. When he got to Winter, the pegasus felt a bit of the nervosity creep back.

"Winter Dust, east wing, Celestia's hall!"

Winter released a breath he didn't know he was holding. Suddenly, he was feeling a strange mix of relief and disappointment.

"Yesterday Luna, today Celestia? At this rate, we'll soon be calling you Your Highness, Snow," Sundance whispered playfully into his ear when the commander's attention was elsewhere.

Annoyed, Winter bumped into her with his flank. Their armor rattled as it collided, a sound made all the more pronounced in the otherwise silent barracks.

The commander's eyes were on Winter in an instant.

"Any questions, Winter Dust?"

No, sir. Sorry, sir. It was just - a cramp," Winter blurred out without thinking. Next to him, he could practically feel Sundance shake with barely suppressed laughter, but with the commander's eyes on him, Winter didn't dare to look.

After a few tense seconds, the commander shook his head in disapproval and continued going through the list.

"Sundance, west wing, Luna's hall!"

"I'll say hello to the Princess for you."

Winter snuck a glance at Sundance, but the mare just playfully winked at him and averted her gaze. Since it was her, Winter really couldn't tell if that was supposed to be a joke or not. He didn't get a chance to ask, though, as they were soon dismissed, and their posts took them in the opposite direction. He just hoped Sundance wouldn't do anything to embarrass him…

Luna was standing on her balcony, absentmindedly staring at the city spreading out below her. The moon was already up, but the night was still young and she wasn't feeling like going to bed just yet. How long has it now been since she returned? A few years, perhaps. Looking back, she realized just how much each day blended into another. She'd wake up, perform her duties in the palace, and then retire to her chambers. It was almost like being a prisoner, except there was nothing holding her here. She could leave at any time, and nopony would say anything. If anything, her sister would often encourage her to take a break, go out, and explore Equestria. And yet… she never did. And now she wondered why.

With cat-like grace, she jumped on the thick stone-carved railing and took a look at the atrium below. She felt a sudden urge to take flight and get as far away from the palace as she could. And she did just that.

Luna leaped into the air and immediately felt a rush of excitement as the cool air brushed against her wings. With a few wing beats, she propelled herself high above the clouds, only to pull the wings against her sides and allow herself to plummet towards the ground below. At the last moment, just as the rooftops of the city came dangerously close, she outstretched her wings and allowed the air currents to carry her back up. Luna repeated the maneuver a couple of times, and slowly but surely, she felt the knot in her stomach untie itself. After a while, her head was completely clear of all worries.

When her wings began to grow tired, she rose once more above the clouds and gracefully landed on one of the smaller clouds just above the city center. Luna didn't resist as the soft cloud completely enveloped her body. For a moment, she just lay there. Relaxed and far away from her responsibilities, she began to toy with the idea of staying the night there. Come the morning, she would then just return to the palace, and nopony would be any wiser.

Luna could feel the wind pick up and carry the cloud further away from the palace. Eventually she grew bored of staring at the sky and instead she cleared a small hole in the cloud. Through it she observed the city streets and the ponies as they passed below her.

It wouldn't take long however for her worries to catch up to her. As the streets below her began to empty out, the city reminded her more and more of what she saw in Winter's dream. She still couldn't think of why her idle mind sought even out his dream earlier. And yet, it was the only noteworthy thing that happened to her today. The only spark of excitement in the otherwise dull sea of endless audiences and mindless chores.

Luna didn't even understand why it felt so special. She and Winter Dust did little more than talk about noting noteworthy in particular. Yet, she could recall everything they discussed. Every little joke, every time he teased her… She observed the streets below for a little while longer, but she couldn't recapture that same sense of peace she felt before.

Then, all of a sudden, something caught her eye. The streets below were almost empty now, but here and there, a stray flicker of a lamp allowed her to make out some of the details. Luna squinted her eyes and realized that the narrow alley below her looked oddly familiar. Without thinking about it too much, she pushed her body through the hole she made and quickly descended just above street level. As she hovered above the rooftops, she realized that she'd been here earlier today. At least in a way...

Unclouded by Winter's imperfect memory, the alley seemed a lot more vibrant, with fliers covering the storefronts and potted plants scattered around many of the windows. Luna's gaze was drawn to a small coffee shop squeezed between two taller buildings. Somewhat hesitantly, Luna descended even lower to get a better look at it. Almost right away, her nose was greeted by a sweet smell that drew her even closer.

Without even realizing it, she made it all the way to the front door. There was still a dim light coming through the storefront windows. Luna reached for the door but froze just before her hoof could reach it.

'What am I doing?'

She shook her head and turned away from the door, ready to fly away. But she couldn't do that either. Luna felt stuck. The streets around her were reassuringly empty, and the coffee shop stood right there behind her. She might not get another chance to see what it's really like. At least now, without herds of ponies watching her every move. She turned around again and faced the door.

"It's probably closed anyway," she muttered silently to herself, finding some reassurance in her own voice. Her hoof landed on the door and pulled it open. To Luna's surprise, the door swung open at the lightest touch. It did so with the same high-pitched screech as in Winter's dream. Tentatively, she took a few steps inside, noting how familiar it seemed. Looking around, she felt a sense of déjà vu wash over her. The short booths, large counter in the center of the room, even the wallpaper that was peeling off in multiple places…

"I am sorry, we are closed for the night."

Luna was snapped back into reality by a tired-sounding stallion who had just popped his head from around the counter. Before she could say anything, though, the pony's eyes went wide as they landed on her. His reaction couldn't have been much different if she were a ghost.

"I- I am sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I will take my-" the stallion didn't let her finish.

"Nonono,I am sorry Princess Luna. I just – I didn't – if I knew it was you... Please, do come in!" With the stallion's initial surprise gone, he was now positively beaming with excitement. His eyes never left her, even as he hurriedly made his way behind the counter.

"Thank you. You are too kind."

"It is nothing! Absolutely no problem whatsoever! Princess Luna in my coffee shop?! Nopony is going to believe me!"

Luna awkwardly smiled at him, unsure what to say. The barista didn't seem to mind. As Luna studied the menu, he stared at her, seemingly ready to pounce into action the moment she ordered. Even though she could now read through the menu, most of the selections didn't mean anything to Luna anyway. Besides, she already knew what she wanted to order.

"I- heard that your morning special is delicious," Luna asked, the compliment seemingly making the barista grow a little taller.

"And don't know who told you that, but they were absolutely correct. One morning special coming right up! On the house, naturally!"

Luna opened her mouth to protest but quickly realized that she didn't have any bits on her. With a pang of guilt, she just nodded, uttering a quick 'thank you'.

It wasn't long until she was presented with a steaming cup of coffee. The stallion stared at her for a moment, his eyes full of eagerness as if he expected her to gulp down the coffee right there and there.

"I will take it over there – if you don't mind," Luna said, pointing towards one of the booths.

"Of course, of course, Princess Luna. Sit down wherever you want, stay as long as you wish! I'll – I'll just be doing some cleanup in the back. If you need anything at all, just let me know." With the smile never leaving his face, the stallion backed away from her and, with a half-nod half-bow, disappeared somewhere behind the counter.

With the barista out of sight, Luna carefully levitated the steaming cup towards the booth. Without even thinking about it, she picked the same one she and Winter had used before. With the coffee in front of her, Luna took a few moments to enjoy the view of the street outside. After a moment, she turned her attention back to the coffee and, with a deep breath, took in its aroma. It smelled wonderful.

She took a quick sip and slowly put the cup back down.

For a little while, she just sat there, staring at the coffee. Then she leaned back and took another look out of the window. After thinking about it for a bit, she took another sip. It seemed Winter was right after all. This was the best coffee in Canterlot.

Despite that, Luna couldn't shake off the feeling that it would taste even better if she had somepony to enjoy it with...