Dusty Pages
"Princess...." I muttered, as I stumbled into her massive, extravagant throne room. It was large and
intimidating, and made me feel positively miniscule.
"Yes, Dusty Pages! Hello! Tell me what's new, before we get down to business." She smiled at me with an
aura of calm and affection. She did always know how to calm my nerves. Sort of.
"I still haven't... you know... I just want your opinion, on how to--..." I trailed off. I hated saying
it out loud. I didn't have a cutie mark, and although that was clearly visible to anyone who looked at
me, I still didn't like admitting it. The princess looked down sympathetically at my small frame, which
made me shiver a little. Her energy was immense and any emotion she feels is instantly apearant.
"Well, Dusty, I have been considering your situation, and I think it would be best for you to travel to
Ponyville. My best student resides there, I think she can help you and your... situation." She simply
looked down at me still and smiled.
"Y-You mean... um..." I looked at the many immense stained glass windows surrounding us, with that
pony's portrait on most of them. Meet her? But she was... famous! A celebrity. She certainly wouldn't
have time for someone like me. I had seen her a couple times in the royal library of course, even helped
her find some things, but... that was a long time ago! Back then she was just a filly... my brain kept
bouncing around.
"Twilight Sparkle. I can see you know of her." She said, referring to my staring spacily at the various
windows. The princess knows me well-- I have been her head librarian for quite some time. I thought that
being a head librarian for a couple years would earn my my cutie mark, but I was wrong...
"Yes, the one with the element of magic!" I said, making sure she knows that I know who she is exactly.
"... but, how could she help me?"
"Well, dear Dusty, Twilight happens to share your love of books. I think meeting her would help you
realize some things about yourself. I have already written her, and she says she'll be happy to see you
again!"
"B-But-- P-Princess!! I'm sure Twilight Sparkle already has way too much going on, with her friendship
assignments, and things like that... I really wouldn't want to distract her!"
"Twilight is my best student, one pony asking her a few things and aquainting her certainly won't throw
her off. My order is final, dear Dusty." She nodded to herself, eyes closed.
"I suppose, your highness..."
"Wonderful! Then go pack your things, you will be leaving in the morning."
I looked at her, bewildered. I mean, forcing me out of the castle is one thing, but tomorrow morning? I
started hyperventhilating a bit. It was too much to take in at once! "Don't worry, Dusty, everything will
be fine." She said with her wonderfully comforting smile. she got up from her throne-pillow, and dipped
her head onto mine. A hug, of sorts. Best she can do with the size difference. I felt myself go a little
warm.
"Okay... I c-can do this, Princess!" Celestia knew how to bring out the best in people. Like she can
manipulate how they feel, but not in a malicious way. In a way that takes away your worry.
"That's my Librarian!" She said as she walked me to the exit. "Your chariot will be ready at 8:00 sharp,
don't be late!" Celestia gave me a reassuring pat as she shut the giant door behind her with her magic.
I woke up with a start. I put on my glasses and looked at my glowing owl clock, which was across the
stone-walled room 5AM... Great. Well, I might as well pack up everything I didn't last night, at least.
And go over everything a couple more times. I'm always forgetting things, no matter how much I check
over... sigh. I lumber sleepily over to my mirror, as I use my magic to turn the lights on. I look at the
pony staring back at me, looking her over-- She does the same. She has a small frame, but it's not like
those pretty ponies that are fragile or dainty. She is kind of awkward and gawky... She has a dull brown
coat, and an equally dull, dark blue-grey mane that sticks out everywhere. No wonder nopony really seems
to notice her, I think. I look at my flank, though not in the mirror. Blank as ever. I yawn in reply to
my thoughts. I can't be bothered to sulk right now... I have to prepare myself for the mare I'll be
meeting today! I look over at the dresser and will my brush over to myself using my magic. I look back at
the lame mare in the mirror again, and watch as she brushes her hair. To no avail, however, as her mane
still sticks out every which way, but not in the cute way some of those goregeous model ponies in my
books have it. It just looks unruly... so much so that it covers up my horn completely, as usual. Great,
so much for a good presentation. I set the brush back down and canter over to my bags. I check each one
for its contents, and just when I decide I haven't forgotten anything, I remember one of the most
important things! My cloak! I gallop over to my closet. I pull out my hand-me-down, royal arms cloak. It
was passed from father to son in my family for generations, but... then my parents had a daughter, and
they certainly didn't want another child. My father didn't mind too much, he simply gave it to me without
much thought. I've always been kind of embarassed about it,though... at least if I was a stallion, my
colors would be better suited for me... and I wouldn't be so small. I put on my cloak, that thankfully
covers my barren flank. It's a dusty, dark red old cloak with some gold embroidering on it. It smells
wonderfully old. The smell of old things just makes me feel like I'm right in the history of whatever the
object is. I can almost see my great, great, great, great grandfather galloping into battle with his
mighty cloak on, horn ready to stop any opposers to the throne. I happily sat for awhile with my musings
of the cloak's history. I did this often when I had it on. Those musings had a way of calming my nerves
and allowing me to forget whatever issue was going on. I was interuppted by a knock on my balcony-door.
I had a low-height loft in the royal castle, so usually the pegasus charriots would meet me at my small
balcony. I nervously trotted outside to greet the large, white, winged stallions that would be flying me
to Ponyville.
"Hello, sirs... um, just a moment, let me get my bags... Thank you for flying me..."
The friendlier-looking of the two piped up."No need to thank us, it's our job." He said with a
reassuring smile. He knew I was nervous. It seems like everypony noticesthat about me... I should watch
my body language more... oh! My bags. I galloped over and quickly lifted them with my magic, and put them
on the back of the charriot as I hopped on myself. My journey begins, I suppose...
Twilight Sparkle
I was organizing my morning lists as I heard Spike make a noise as if he was hacking up a hairball. This was my own personal "Letter From the Princess" alarm. I trotted over to Spike and waited. With a burst of green light, a fancily-written note with the royal crest was laying on the wood floor in front of me. My purple glow surrounded it as I picked it up and examined its contents. Spike walked away to do some sweeping.
Dear Twilight Sparkle:
I am pleased to inform you that I have a small, shall we say, side assignment I would like you to look into. You see, my dear student, I have a friend I would like you to make friends with. She reminds me of you a few years ago, lost in books and afraid to branch out to others. It has become quite a hindrance to her growth. She is now rather lost, and still can not find her special talent. (on her own.) What I mean by that is, she has not yet earned her Cutie Mark, though she is a tad older than you.
However, This does not mean she is a lazy pony, as most assume Blanks are. On the contrary, she is almost as hard a worker of you and shares your passion for books. Because of her problems, I think it would be best for her to live in Ponyville for the remainder of the year or until further notice. I am sending her your way with some bits, and she may stay with you or she can find her own place, whichever you both choose. I know you are a perfectionist and would probably wish to finish this assignment as fast as possible, but as this is a more sensitive matter I would prefer you to take a more natural approach. The pony's name is Dusty Pages, and she is my Head Librarian. I am giving her a bit of leave as her state of mine is really causing serious problems for her. I'll let you get to know her for yourself.
I know you will be able to handle this, especially with your knowledge of friendship.
Thank you as always!
P.S., She is arriving this evening at 5. Be ready!
Princess Celestia
I read it and reread it to make sure I was getting this right. Wow! Princess Celestia trusts me with one of her subjects? I'm honored! I think about the name... Dusty Pages.That did sound familiar. Perhaps she helped me in the royal library once or twice... Best not dwell on it until she gets here! Right now I should prepare... I definitely need to redo my lists now!
"Spike! I need you to take letter! This is so wonderful!!" I felt amazingly light, this assignment got me absolutely enthralled! This was my chance to show Celestia all the things I've learned!
"Alright, alright..." Oh, Spike. He was always tired at this time in the morning. He pulled out a quill and some parchment.
"Dear Princess Celestia,
I am pleased to inform you that I would be absolutely happy to take Dusty Pages into my home and teach her everything I know about friendship! The girls and I will make sure she is taken very good care of!
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle"
"Got it..." Spike's green flame bubbled from his pink tongue, sending the note far away to Canterlot.
"Thanks so much, Spike! Now, would you mind helping me get the house ready for her? I need to let the girls know!"
"Sure, Twilight. Most of everything is already sparkling from yesterday's cleaning, so there isn't really much to do..."
"Okay, thanks so much, Spike!!"
I galloped off to let my friends know. if a new pony was coming to town, nothing would make her feel more welcome than a welcome wagon... I better let Pinkie know first!
--
"HEYYA TWILIGHT!! Something's going on, isn't it!! My left ear is turning at a 90 degree angle to the north!! That means---!! OHHH! IS SOMEONE NEW COMING? DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, TWILIGHT???" Pinkie Pie hollered and leapt up and down happily. She was always so eager to meet new ponies.
"Wow, you're exactly right, Pinkie! I have a request from the Princess to help out a friend of hers... sort of... come out of her shell!"
"OH! OH! If she needs to come out of her shell, nobody is better at socializing Ponies than Pinkie Winkie!! I'll have to go get my welcome wagon!!" Pinkie was smiling excitedly and continued to bounce about.
"Thanks, Pinkie. She'll be getting here in about 4 hours, so you have plenty of time to prepare!
"Okie Dokie Lokie!" Pinkie bounced off to get her welcoming tools ready. Hopefully she won't give Dusty a heart attack! I giggle to myself a bit and think of which pony I should let know next... Rainbow Dash is usually napping around the trees here at this hour... Might as well go to the closest pony!
--
I galloped off to find her. And sure enough, she was snoring loudly and clingning to a tree branch, drooling...
"Hey, Rainbow Dash!!" I shouted at a medium volume. Sometimes she could e a light sleeper. .... sadly, today was not one of those days. A purple aura surrounded a stick that was sitting next to my hoof as I willed it upwards to Rainbow's tummy and poked at it. She woke up confusedly. Good thing, too!
"Wh-Whaaat? It's not even time for..." She yawns loudly and rudely. "Flight school yet, mom!" Her eyes were glazed over and she was clearly still half asleep.
"Dash, it's me, Twilight! I have some news that I need you to hear!"
Rainbow tilted her head and looked at me confusedly. Until it finally hit her that she was not dreaming nor still asleep.
"Ohhh! Morning Twilight!"
"... It's 1, Dash..."
"Oh. Well, Afternoon then! Gosh." She feigned annoyance as a default expression for when people corrected her. She seemed to be in a good enough mood, though.
"Well anyway, Dash, an honored new pony is coming to town and Pinkie is throwing a welcoming party! I just hope you come along. The new pony is one of Celetstia's subjects who needs some time off. Celestia is testing us of our knowledge about making friends!" I felt a warmth from within. I felt so proud that Celestia trusted me this much!
"Well, I think I can make time in my napping schedule for later today. Pinkie's parties are always awesome anyway, and it's always nice to see a new face. Wonder if she's a fast pegasus like me, I can finally have someone to race with!"
"Celestia didn't say what she was, so she could be anything, I suppose... Anyway Dash, I'm going off to let the other ponies know..." I paused as an idea came rushing into my head. "Actually, could you do me a favor and let Fluttershy and Applejack know for me? I don't think I'll have enough time to reach both of them and still have time to prepare my house! Celestia's letter was rather short notice, haha..."
"Sure thing, Twi!" Dash flew off so fast I felt like my mane would just tear off! She never ceases to impress me.
Hmm... Rarity was the last pony I had to tell personally, so I trotted away to her Boutique.
--
I walked up to Rarity's Boutique. The door was open to let air in and to allow customers a view inside. A soothing and refined fragrance wafted from the boutique. It was one of Rarity's many tricks to entice ponies into coming in. It smelled like very expencive soap and fresh lilies, with a hint of finely cleaned linens. I always enjoyed trotting into her home. Which I did.
Rarity was working away at her sewing machine, making a scarf that looked like it was made of the same material of butterfly wings. It was immaculate. The pure white pony looked up from her work and greeted me.
"Hello, Twilight, Darling!" her voice pleasantly rung in my ears. "What brings you here to my boutique? I did hear Pinkie rambling about a new pony as she bounced in here to buy some fabric streamers. I didn't hear much, though. That pony bounced in and out too fast for me to even know what she was talking about!" Rarity chuckled and flipped her hair to fix a displaced lock.
"Oh, yes! The Princess sent me a message this morning saying that a special guest would be arriving today!" Rarity's eyes got rather wide and sparkly, and a grin crept over her face, but she let me continue. "She is the castle's head librarian, and she is having some emotional trouble, so Celestia thought it would be nice if she came to stay with me for a while. We can teach her everything we know about friendship!" I said happily. I got excited every time I talked about it. "Pinkie is throwing her a party in an hour or so."
Rarity's excited face dropped a bit, but she still remained happy, possibly because I was being so excitable. "Oooooh, a librarian, hm? How old is she? A royal librarian sounds like she would be simply ANCIENT!" She chuckled once more.
"Oooh, no! Haha, she's only a little older than me, supposedly."
"Wonderful!! I will have to wear my best dress to the party, so she can feel right at home, just as if she was in Canterlot! Maybe she knows some of the high-brow ponies there, oooh, that would be delightful!" My face dropped a bit... that sounds like a little... much. Even for Rarity.
"Rarity... um, could you just come as you are for now? I don't know what kind of pony she is other than that she might be a little shy, I don't want to make her feel... um, uncomfortable."
"Oooh, you're right, dear... Sorry about that, getting MUCH too ahead of myself, haha! Hmm, I WOULD like to wear this new scarf, though! I don't think that would bother her too much, do you?" Rarity pulled the newly finished scarf off her sewing board and wrapped it around herself dramatically, posing as well. Though she practically always posed.
"Oh, no, just a scarf is fine, Rarity. It really is certainly a beautiful one too, wow!" I smiled brightly. It really was beautiful. It looked just like those wings Rarity had in Cloudsdale... she must miss them.
"Thank you, dear... now, you'd best be getting home if your guest is arriving soon! You have to have time left to tidy and clean, you know!"
"Haha, thanks Rarity. I'll see you there!"
Rarity gave me a smile and I galloped home. I'd better get the guest bed ready and make sure everything is in tip-top shape!
