The carriage clattered noisily along the dusty roads and thoroughfares as it made its way through the Equestrian countryside. Inside, Trixie lazily leaned on the banister, with her head propped against her hand as she stared out the window, watching the rolling and dales pass by.
“Beatrix, dear, please sit up straight,” her mother, who sat opposite of her, said. “It's bad posture.”
Trixie sighed as she straightened herself in her seat. “Yes, mama,” she replied.
“Remember,” she said, “all good ladies have good posture.”
“Of course,” Trixie said softly.
“You mustn’t forget, you are still a lady of the highest standing, and you must continue act accordingly,” the woman continued.
“If I am a lady of the highest standing,” Trixie replied, “then why am I being sent away?”
Her mother sighed.
“My dear, you're not being sent away,” she replied.
“It sure feels that way,” Trixie protested.
“You know it's nothing like that,” her mother said. “Your father and I just think this will be a good learning experience for you.”
“What could I possibly learn there that I couldn't learn at home?”
“Humility, dear, humility,” her mother replied. “It's what makes a lady proper.”
“In addition to good posture?” Trixie shot back.
“Mind your tongue, young lady,” her mother said. “Thank your stars it's only for a month.”
“A month!” Trixie exclaimed. “A month is an eternity to be spent locked up in that prison!”
“It's a cloister, dear, not a prison,” her mother said, fanning herself.
“Same thing,” Trixie said, waving her hand. “A whole month with all those ancient fossils and no way to talk to my friends.”
“You'll make new friends,” her mother said.
“I doubt it,” Trixie replied.
“Life is what you make it dear,” her mother said sagely, resuming a piece of knitting she had been working on earlier.
“No, life is what other people make it,” Trixie said. “And you are making it horrible!”
Her mother laughed.
“I think at the end of the month you'll be asking why I didn't send you earlier.”
“Again, I doubt it,” Trixie said. “My only consolation in all of this is that I'll be away from annoying Prince Blueblood.”
“He has a thing for you, you know?” her mother noted.
“I know; which is exactly why I can't stand him. He constantly tries to woo me with his hopeless attempts at romance and fails miserably. When will he ever see that I'm not interested?”
“I wouldn't be so quick to turn him down,” her mother replied. “He has ties to royalty.”
“Royalty, or not, he's obnoxious. In any case, I wouldn't ever think of dating him, if nothing else than because of that noxious perfume he wears.”
“Rare strain of lilac – imported. Paid a fortune to get it, or so I've heard. He obviously thinks you’re not cheap.”
“Doesn't matter,” Trixie said, looking out the window again. “He'll give up on me sooner or later and move on to another girl.”
“Careful,” her mother warned, “Word spreads around quickly. You turn him down, you're likely to intimidate other suitors, as well.”
“Who cares? Not I. Not for all the men in the sea.”
“Men aren't fish dear, and your father and I aren't going to live forever. Who's going to take care of you once we're gone?”
“Nobody; I should like to take care of myself, if it's all the same.”
“You'll end up old and lonely,” her mother warned.
“That's fine by me.”
“Then you should get along just fine at the cloister then.”
Trixie began to reply but cut herself short. Her mother snickered.
“Oh, you know what I mean!” Trixie pouted.
“Yes, I know, dear,” her mother replied. “Could you at least try to take away something positive from this?”
“I guess so,” Trixie mumbled.
The carriage traveled on through the breadth of the land, until it reached a quaint little valley, where the cloister lay tucked away, between the face of the mountains and the stream beyond.
“That must be it!” Trixie's mother exclaimed, pointing out the window.
Trixie stared at the building from afar.
It was a sturdy structure, built of brick and mortar. From her position on the hill, Trixie could see its layout – in the center, there was a vast square complex, with a courtyard where a great oak tree grew. On either side, it was surrounded by a labyrinth of other buildings that Trixie assumed to be the quarters for the cloister's inhabitants. However, one facet of this compound that Trixie could not mistake – the chapel, with its towering spire and stained-glass windows, which lay in back.
“Well, it looks charming,” her mother said.
“Charming is not the first word that comes to mind,” Trixie replied. “It looks...evil.”
“Oh, hush,” her mother scolded her.
The carriage pulled up to the entrance, where a raspberry colored sister was ready to greet them.
“Hello,” she said, smiling as the two dismounted from their coach. “You must be Lady Lulamoon.”
“I am indeed,” the dame replied. “And this is my daughter, Beatrix.”
“A pleasure to meet you both,” she said. “I am the Abbess here. I oversee the day to day running of the cloister. There are many duties that each sister must perform every day, and I am given the task making sure they are carried out.
“You will see that it is not an easy subsistence living here amongst us, but it is a rewarding one. We strive each day to become closer to the spirit of universal harmony, which unites us all through a daily regimen of prayer and meditation. Our entire existence focuses around finding inner peace through reflection, which is why we have strict, but fair rules to maintain the peace.
“But before I go on, let me ask you: does the applicant have a desire to join our order and become a sister?”
“I leave that for her to decide,” the mother replied. “I must warn you though, she can be quite headstrong.”
“Mama!”
“Well you are opinionated, dear.”
The Abbess stifled a laugh.
“Forgive my mother,” Trixie said, turning to the Abbess. “She believes I'm still a rebellious girl in magic school. To answer your question: no, I do not wish to be a sister.”
“Yes, well...” the Abbess replied, clearing her throat. “We receive many potential applicants who do not believe so either – that is exactly why we have a grace period, where we allow them to see if the lifestyle is right for them. Some do not stay, but a surprising number choose to remain and join the sisterhood.”
“Her father and I thought it would be good for her to stay here a while during the summer before she attended the Royal University in Canterlot. She got a scholarship, you know? She's a very a talented girl.”
Trixie blushed, bowing her head.
The Abbess chuckled.
“Yes, I believe you mentioned that in your correspondence. Whether she stays or not though is entirely her decision, of course, but while she is here, she will be treated like any other sister. She will have her own daily chores to do, and will be expected to attend and carry out services and liturgy with the rest of the order.”
“Sounds perfectly reasonable,” the mother replied. “I'm sure my Beatrix is perfectly capable.”
“So, you mentioned chores,” Trixie said. “What kind, exactly?”
“In good time, my child,” the Abbess responded. “But not before we show you around a bit. We don't want you getting lost. Trust me, I've been here some twenty odd years and I still occasionally lose my way – but I guess that's true for any of us, isn't it?”
“Quite,” the mother replied. “What do you want to do with her bags?”
“You can leave them here, out front,” the Abbess said. “Some sisters will come by and pick them up.”
“Very well, I'll have my chauffeurs deposit them,” the mother said, turning to her daughter. She laid her hand on Trixie's shoulder and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Don't worry, dear, it'll only be a month. It'll fly by, I promise.”
“I sure hope so...” Trixie replied softly.
“Goodbye, dear.”
“Goodbye, mama.”
With her final word, the mother remounted her carriage as the driver and his assistant unloaded the prodigious suitcases from the back. When their task was completed, and they were just about to set off again, her mother leaned from the door and waved her handkerchief.
“And do be sure to write, won't you!”
“I will!” Trixie called back.
Trixie watched as the carriage became smaller and smaller until it was a mere speck on the road, traveling towards the horizon. As she finished watching it fade from sight, she turned hesitantly back to the Abbess, who was waiting by her bags.
“This way, please,” the Abbess said, motioning towards to the entrance. “The day is fading fast, and I need to take you to the chapel before we do anything else.”
She turned and began to walk inside, with Trixie following reluctantly behind her.
“So, your name is Beatrix?” she asked as they walked down the main, black-and-white checkered corridor. “That's a very pretty name.”
“I prefer Trixie, if it's all the same,” she replied.
“Trixie works well, too,” the Abbess said.
“What is your name? If you don't mind my asking.”
“Cheerilee, though my title is: Reverend Mother, but you may call me Mother. Everyone else does, and I don't like to stand in too much on pomp and ceremony.”
“Okay, Mother...”
“Like I mentioned earlier, though, we do have some rules here that we demand strict observance of; the most important of these being: no talking. As an entrant to our cloister, you will be given a week to ask questions and get to know the sisters you will be working with, but after that, the only time you are allowed to talk is during the recreation period before evening prayer. You are absolutely forbidden to talk with anyone during meal-times or while you are inside. This is a place of reflection, and any chatter distracts others from finding their inner harmony. If you have any questions, you may ask me, if I'm available; otherwise, keep all remarks to yourself unless directed to do otherwise.”
“Okay,” Trixie said. “Any others?”
“Yes,” the Abbess replied. “No relationships.”
“Relationships?” Trixie asked, curiously intrigued.
“Yes, relationships. While we encourage reverent communion with our fellow sisters, we believe that chaste love, like the kind our Holy Mother has for us all, is the only type we require. Anything else is superfluous and distracts us from our true vocation. We have had to expel many good sisters because of this, so I needn't stress to you enough how important it is to maintain this rule. There are only so many things that keep this little world together, and any affair, threatens to break it apart. Again, let me emphasize: no relationships. If you are caught doing anything that could be construed as inappropriate, you will be expelled from the cloister. Is that understood?”
“Yes, mother,” Trixie replied. “Any more?”
“Those are the two biggest ones. In addition, there are those that go without saying: no stealing, no cheating, no gambling, and especially no gossiping. I could go on, but I think you get the point. And remember at all times to maintain humility, and you'll get along just fine here.”
This is not so bad, Trixie thought to herself as she followed the Abbess Cheerilee down the hall. The atmosphere here seemed peaceful, almost inviting even. Trixie was surprised at how graciously she had been welcomed so far, though she remained skeptical. She had heard horror stories of what went on inside these sorts of places, but these were merely rumors she had heard whispered in the bathroom stalls of her school. Surely with so warm a welcome, things couldn't be as possibly bad as everyone else claimed they were, could they?
The two passed down a long passageway, and then through a winding series of corridors and vaults until they reached two tall, wooden doors, from behind which, the sound of chanting could be heard.
“This is the chapel,” the Abbess said. “This is where we sing songs and give praise to the Holy Mother three times a day.”
“Um, Mother?” Trixie asked.
“Yes, my child?”
“Who is the Holy Mother?”
“You've never heard? The Holy Mother is the creator of the entire Universe and everything in it. She is the reason for our existence, and it is through her that we received the Holy Sacraments of Harmony – the very principles on which our society has been founded.”
“Why is she called 'the Holy Mother'?”
“Because she is mother to us all, dear; we are her descendants, but most importantly, she is the mother to the Princesses, our rulers, who reign wisely and with divine authority over us. That is why we have formed this order – to dedicate our lives to the Holy Mother, in solemn obedience and devotion, that we may achieve inner peace and harmony through her.”
Trixie was at odds with this belief, but was strangely curious about it. She had always been taught as everyone else had, to always speak of the Princesses in a revered light, but she had never known the reason why. She knew that there had always been a significant emphasis on their divine right to rule. “It had always been that way,” she had always been told, so she didn't question it. Now with this new revelation from the Abbess, she suddenly found herself questioning things she never had before. Trixie was about to ask another question, but was cut off when the Abbess turned to the door as the chanting died down.
“The praise is ending,” she said. “Now, I'm afraid we'll have to part. In the meantime, do you see those stairs over there?” she pointed off to the right, where narrow set of stairs lead up into the stone confines above.
“Yes,” Trixie replied, nodding.
“Go up there and take a seat in the balcony until after the liturgy is done, and meet me back here, and I'll show you to your cell. Okay?”
Trixie nodded.
“Good, and remember: no talking.”
The Abbess turned around to the double doors and flung them open, before purposefully walking down the aisle to the front, where a small pulpit stood with an open book. Trixie did not stay to look, but instead, made her way to the stairs, where she grasped the wrought iron railing that ran the length of the steps to the top.
Trixie stared up into the dimly lit confines of the balcony above and with great earnest began to climb the steps. As she approached the top, she felt her heart rise higher and higher into her chest, and felt as if she were ascending the stairs to the heavens themselves.
When she reached the precipice and rounded the corner, she was disappointed to see a an arrangement of unadorned and mostly vacant pews filling the space of the balcony, and not the celestial paradise, she had imagined.
Being sure she did not disturb the other occupants, who she was sure were also novices, Trixie took a position close to front so that she could get a good view of what was going on down below.
On the ground floor, the rows of pews were filled to the brim with black robes all facing towards the front, where the Abbess stood holding a crozier in her hand.
For a long time the entire room was silent, then in a deep, but gentle voice, the Abbess began to speak:
“Sisters, we give thanks to our Mother, and accordingly, set aside this time to reflect on everything that she has given us. We start by reading from the Book of Invocations and Entreaties, for those who are lost, and without love or friendship; especially during this time of war. Sister,” she said motioning to the pony who stood beside her, “Will you come forth and read for the congregation?”
“I will,” she replied silently and made her way to the book.
The purple coated unicorn cleared her throat and began to speak, although in a much higher and more nasally voice that the Abbess.
“O Holy Mother, who looks kindly upon us, her children; take away the disdain and hatred in our hearts; rid of the barriers that separate us from our fellow ponies; and in the spirit of kindness and love, allow us to struggle to accomplish or task on this earth, that in time, all may live in harmony and peace. Amen.”
The entire congregation responded in unison with: “Amen.” After which, the choir, who stood behind the pulpit, began to chant in someone ancient, unknown tongue; their clear, crisps voices piercing through the air.
Trixie could not help but get caught up in the theatrics of it all. It was such an elaborately planned ritual, preformed with such gravity and importance, that it was impossible for her not to admire the somber precision with which it was carried out. Yet, for all the splendid decorations and adornments that graced the chapel hall, it was the large, stained-glass relief of the Holy Mother, sitting proudly on her throne with her two daughters by her side, which truly took her breath away. For all her life, Trixie had considered herself someone who was important; and yet, looking upon her imposing figure, with her graceful yet stern eyes gazing down upon her, she could not help but feel small and insignificant.
As the chanting came to an end, the Abbess resumed her place at the pulpit.
“With the blessing of the Holy Mother, you are all dismissed. Go in peace. Amen.”
She then did a strange circular motion around her chest, which the entire assembly repeated; at which point, they began to file out to leave.
Trixie slowly rose from her seat and followed the line of supposed-novices back down the stairs to the foyer and waited patiently by the door for the Abbess; watching as the silent ranks of the cloister filed past her, some giving her fleeting glances as they passed, wary of any outsider.
At last, after the long procession, the Abbess emerged from the chapel; a smile upon her face.
“Well, what did you think?”
“It was...”
Trixie searched for the right word. She had honestly been impressed, in a vague way, by it all, yet perhaps it was the uniqueness and unfamiliarity of it all that made it so endearing.
“Well, it certainly wasn't dull, that's for sure.”
Cheerilee chuckled a bit.
“Wait till you've been here a while. This is done three times a day, so it looses newness after a while, but never it's charm, I'm happy to say.”
“Three times a day?” Trixie asked.
“Once in the morning, once at midday, and once in the evening, right before bed.”
“That's quite a bit of praying,” Trixie said.
“It’s what we’re all about, dear,” the Abbess replied. “But before we go, I wanted to introduce you to somebody. Trixie, this is Sister Sparkle. She was the one who read the liturgy just now.”
A black-cladded figure with a purple mane emerged from behind the Abbess.
“Sister Sparkle, this is Trixie. She will be staying with us a month.”
She’s odd, Trixie thought to herself as she looked her over. Indeed, Sister Sparkle seemed especially modest, even by nun’s standards; there was nothing that distinguished her from any other sister, yet there was something about her that Trixie could not quite put her finger on. She wasn’t especially ugly, in fact, Trixie could almost say she was beautiful; which is why it struck her as strange. How would did such a fair pony end up in a place like this?
“How do you do?” the sister asked, flashing a demur smile.
“Fine, thank you,” Trixie responded hesitantly.
“The prioress informed me that I have some business to attend to,” the Abbess continued, “and so I’ve assigned Sister Sparkle to finish giving you your tour and be your tutor for the next week. To that end, I’ve given her authority to assign you your first chores, so that you may start to get settled in here. She will be your superior until you know your routine, at which point you will be able to act independently. Is that clear?”
“Perfectly,” Trixie replied.
“Good,” the Abbess said, nodding. “Then I’ll leave you two to it. Farewell Trixie, until we talk again.”
“Farewell.”
With that, the Abbess departed, leaving the Trixie alone in the presence of Sister Sparkle.
“So,” Trixie began. “Where do I pick up my bags?”
“You won’t need them,” Sister Sparkle replied curtly, turning around. “This way, please.”
“Wait, what? Why?” Trixie asked following her. “What do you mean I won’t need them?”
“You won’t,” Sister Sparkle said again. “Everything will be provided for you.”
“But what about my clothes? My effects? My makeup?”
“Makeup is a tool of vanity,” Sister Sparkle replied. “It’s an expression of self-indulgent love, which is contrary to the all-embracing love of the Holy Mother. Plus just shameless – especially that eye-liner with that tone.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Well, if you just want me to look like some sort of beast each morning...”
“I’ve seen far worse,” the Sister said. “Though, to be perfectly honest, I don’t think you’ll last long anyways.”
“What? You don’t think Trixie can handle this?”
“No, I don’t,” she replied. “Ponies like you come and go; it’s nothing new. I honestly doubt it’ll be a week before you call it quits.”
“Now look here!” Trixie began.
“Ssh,” Sister Sparkle quieted her. “Remember, noise.
“Oh, right,” Trixie said, bringing her voice down to a whisper. “Now look here, what do you mean I’ll call it quits? It can’t be that hard, can it?
“You’ll see,” she replied.
Trixie followed Sister Sparkle through the narrow halls until they reached the sister's sleeping quarters.
“This where you’ll be staying,” Sister Sparkle said, leading her to one of the wooden doors.
Trixie pushed the creaking door open and stepped her cell; which was nothing more than a single, rectangular room with a bed in the corner, next to which was a table a candle, in front of a latched window.
“How…quaint,” Trixie said, forcing a smile.
“It isn’t much,” Sister Sparkle said, “but it suits its purpose.”
“It’s downright medieval," Trixie said, lying on the wooden bed. “Though I must admit, the bed is strangely comfortable.”
“One of the few creature comforts we allow here,” Sister Sparkle replied. “There’s nothing more necessary to a day of spiritual meditation than a good night’s sleep.”
Trixie yawned, being tired from a full day’s travel.
“I agree,” Trixie replied. “So, Sister Sparkle, may I ask you a question?”
“Yes?”
“How long have you been here?”
“In two months, I'll have been here three years.”
“Not terribly long,” Trixie remarked. “Why did you join, exactly?”
Sister Sparkle hesitated.
“Well...a lot of reasons,” she said, scratching her head. “The desires of my soul had a big part to do with it.”
“You all sure take this whole spiritual thing seriously, don’t you?” Trixie asked, closing her eyes.
“Yes, we do,” Sister Sparkled replied. “But, if you'll excuse me, I still have to get your effects ready. Stay here while I go and retrieve your habit.”
“Take your time,” Trixie said, waving.
The door creaked shut, leaving Trixie alone inside of her cell.
“It's too dark in here,” she said to herself.
Trixie stood up from her bed and flung open the shutters of her window. Outside, the sun was just beginning to set in the west; its rays gently passing over the snow-topped peaks of the mountains beyond to glisten off the flowing waters of the courtyard fountain, where the birds played and sang out their melodious chorus.
It's so peaceful here, Trixie thought to herself.
Trixie, having grown up in the busy streets of Canterlot, found it novel to be able to open the window and not hear the hustle and bustle of city life. From afar, she could hear the soft echoes of the river's current; the soft, whisper of the wind, and the crickets chirping in the tall brush. She felt the cool evening breeze upon her cheek; which sent chills up her spine.
Trixie closed her eyes while she took all of this in, and for a moment, if ever so fleeting, she was transported to other realm of existence that was quite foreign to her; where the cares and worries of the world were lifted from her shoulders and all was calm. And then, like a vapor fleeting in the air, she was brought back to her cell, where the distant light was fading away.
The young mare quietly reflected to herself as she ran her hand along the smooth windowsill.
There's something different about this place...
A moment later, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Trixie said serenely.
Sister Sparkle reentered with a folded gown and habit in her arms.
“Here,” she said. “This is yours. It's a one size fits all, so no worries. Once you get dressed, I'll take you to the kitchen where you'll start your first task.”
“Sister Sparkle?”
“Hmm?”
“I didn't come here because I wanted to, but that doesn't mean I can't do anything you can. And as much as I hate to say it, I feel like I have reason to stay her now. I guess what I'm asking is: don't hold back on me. Treat me like you would anyone else.”
“That was the plan,” the sister replied, “though I'm curious myself now: what's brought this about?”
“Well, what you said and all...” Trixie said, looking down. “It just reminded me of my mother, who thinks I can't take manage or do anything for myself. I honestly didn't want to come here, but now I feel like I have something to prove – to you and her.”
“Are you being motivated by your pride or an honest desire to improve?”
“I'm not sure,” Trixie replied silently. “Maybe both?”
“Careful,” Sister Sparkle replied. “Hubris is the undoing of many good-intentioned works. Make sure you are pursuing these goals for the right reasons.”
“I should like to think I am.”
“Then I'll try to help you as best I can,” Sister Sparkle said, smiling.
Trixie stared at her for a long time before responding.
“I feel...like I know you,” Trixie began. “There's something familiar about you. Have we met before?”
“I doubt it,” Sister Sparkle replied. “I get that from a lot of ponies though. I have a very common face.”
“Perhaps...” Trixie said.
“Well...Trixie,” Sister Sparkle said. “I'll let you get dressed.”
Sister Sparkle made her way out and closed the door behind her.
Trixie donned her new attire and looked around, only to find that there was no mirror of any sort to be had.
“Why wouldn't they have a...?”
That's when she remembered what Sister Sparkle had said earlier.
“Oh, right...vanity.”
Trixie had never considered herself to be a vain pony. Vanity, after all, was that outstanding characteristic of modeling ponies and other well-to-do aristocrats who used everything imaginable to exaggerate their features and shamelessly exposed themselves for the adoration of others. Trixie was not like that, although secretly, she sometimes wished to be; if only to achieve her own ends.
When she was done adjusting her gown, Trixie fitted the habit atop her head and sighed.
“Never thought I'd live to see a day where I'd wear one of these,” Trixie said under her breath. “Although, ironically, I can't actually see myself.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Are you done, yet?”
“Coming right out!” Trixie said and made her way to the door.
When she emerged from her cell, she did a twirl.
“How do I look?”
Sister Sparkle smiled.
“You look fine, just here..” she said, walking up to her. “Let me fix this.”
She adjusted Trixie's habit, so it fit just-so atop her head.
“There, now you look just like a sister; but with only one difference...”
“What?” Trixie asked.
“These,” Sister Sparkle replied grabbing her hands and turning them up to reveal the palms. “They're smooth and uncalloused; but that will soon change.”
“I'm ready,” Trixie replied.
“Good,” Sister Sparkle said. “Remember though, you're the one who said not to hold back.”
“Anything you can do, I can do too.”
Sister Sparkle smirked.
“We'll see..Now, if you'll follow me please, I'll show you to your first assignment.”
Sister Sparkle lead Trixie to the other end of the complex; back through the winding passageways, past the main black-and-white checkered corridor, and then down a flight of stairs, until they reached the dining hall.
In the main area, which lay below the ground floor, there were several long rows of wooden tables that could easily accommodate several hundred sisters. Towards the end of the room, there was a serving place, not unlike those found in normal cafeterias, behind which, Trixie could see, was a kitchen.
Sister Sparkle walked familiarly down the long aisles until she reached the serving door, and entered inside.
In the kitchen, there were several large ovens, where the sisters were busy at work cooking bread and other food that would later be served at dinner.
“Here,” Sister Sparkle said, leading her to a back room. “This will be your first task.” She flipped on the lights, revealing a giant pile of potatoes gathered on the floor. “I want you peel these potatoes.”
Trixie's mouth fell as she gazed up at the huge mountain of spuds.
“All of them?” she asked.
“All of them.”
Trixie stood dumbfounded, unable to understand how any one pony could complete such a monumental task.
“I...uh...”
“What?” Sister Sparkle asked. “Think you can't handle it?”
“No...” Trixie stammered. “I got this...”
“Good,” Sister Sparkle smiled. “Then I'll expect to be done in an hour.”
“An hour!? How do I peel all of these potatoes in an hour?” Trixie protested.
“With this,” Sister Sparkle replied handing her a peeler. “And with great diligence and determination. I'll be back when the hour is done to check up on your work. See you in a little bit.”
Sister Sparkle turned away and walked out, shutting the door behind her.
“I guess I'll try...” she said, sitting in in the wooden chair next to the pile.
She grabbed one of the potatoes and set to work on it, letting the peelings fall into a wooden tub that lay nearby. A short time later, she had a fully peeled potato.
“There,” she said, tossing it in the bucket. “One down, and a thousand more to go.”
Trixie sighed.
“How is Trixie suppose to do all this?” she asked aloud.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
“Uh...come in?” Trixie said.
The door opened and a sister with a yellow coat came in.
“Really, really sorry,” she apologized. “ I didn't mean to interrupt, but I was working in here earlier and I think I forgot something.”
“Uh...no problem?”
“Oh no, please,” she continued, “It is a problem. I shouldn't even be here right now. Oh dear. But I've lost my rabbit, and I'm trying to retrace my steps to see if I can find him. Oh my.”
“Your...rabbit?”
“I named him Angel,” she said, looking under a few pots and pans. “He's a sweet dear, really he his, but he wasn't feeling well today, and....Oh! I knew carrying him with me was a bad idea! Now I fear he's run off, and I can't find him! Will you help me look for him?”
“Uh...sure, I guess.”
Trixie was not sure what to make of this sister. She had such a kind demeanor, but something seemed off. What was it that made her shake so timidly? Her voice speak so softly? Was it fear? Trixie could not tell; but she was an interesting presence, to be sure.
“Um...where did you last see him?” Trixie asked.
“That's just it,” she replied. “I'm not sure. I had him hidden in my sleeves the whole time, so I'm not sure when he slipped out.”
Trixie looked around the room, searching through the various crates and cooking-ware, trying to find the lost rabbit. After several moments, though, the sister was in despair.
“Oh, he must not be in here...” she said.
As she said that, Trixie leaned her hand down into a box and there was a loud crunch.
“Ow!” Trixie yelled, recoiling.
“Oh my!” the sister exclaimed. “What happened?”
“Something bit me!” Trixie said, waving her hand.
The sister went over to the box to see her beloved bunny chewing contentedly on some pieces of lettuce.
“Angel Bunny!” she said jubilantly, picking him up. “I should have known you'd end up here. I was so worried! Don't you run off like that again.”
Meanwhile, Trixie hissed in pain as she sat holding her afflicted hand.
“Here, let me look at that,” the sister said, stooping down beside her. “Oh my,” she said, examining it. “That's a pretty bad bite.”
“Does your bunny do this to everyone?” Trixie winced.
“No!” she asserted. “Never! He's never bitten anybody before. I don't know what on earth caused him to do that. Maybe you startled him?”
Or maybe that bunny is possessed by a demon from Tartarus, Trixie thought.
“Here,” the sister continued, producing some gauze from her habit. “That needs to be patched up. If only there was...”
She looked around the room until she spied some garlic cloves hanging next to a cabinet.
“Aha!” she said, grabbing one. “Now, this might burn...”
She crushed the garlic clove on the fresh wound, causing Trixie to feel a sharp, burning sensation.
“Ouch! What was that for?” Trixie asked.
“Keeps it from getting infected,” the Sister said, wrapping the gauze around it. “It should be fine now.”
“Thanks,” Trixie mumbled.
“No problem,” the Sister said. “And thank you for finding my rabbit. I was so worried. Now, I have to go. Still have a lot to do...”
As she was heading for the door, Trixie stopped her.
“Wait,” she called. “I didn't catch your name.”
“My name is Sister Fluttershy,” she replied, smiling.
“Sister Fluttershy...wherever did you learn about how to treat cuts?”
“I'm the head of the infirmary,” she said. “I take care of all sorts of illnesses and injuries. You would never believe the ways the sisters get hurt; but they do, and it's my job to help them get better.”
“Must have an impressive track-record,” Trixie said, looking over her handiwork.
“Haven't lost a single patient yet,” she replied. Happily. “Except, Sister Mabel, of course. But the poor dear was just so old that there was nothing I could. Bless her soul, she was an inspiration to us all.”
“I see...” Trixie said, nodding.
“And what about you?” Sister Fluttershy asked. “I don't think I've seen you around before.”
“I'm new here,” Trixie said.
“Ah, a novice,” Sister Fluttershy said happily. “Well, let me say, it's wonderful to have you. I think you'll come to like it here, as so many others have.”
“Er...thanks,” Trixie replied.
“But now I have to ask: what are you doing in here?”
“Oh, well, Sister Sparkle wants me to peel all these potatoes.”
“How's it coming?”
“Not too good,” Trixie replied. “Not sure if I can get this done in time.”
“Oh, well, that's easy.” Sister Fluttershy said.
“Easy?” Trixie asked, taken aback. “What do you mean easy?”
“Here,” she said, pointing to the corner. “You see that kettle over there?”
“Yes...?” Trixie replied.
“Bring it over here, and I'll show you how to peel potatoes super quick...”
~
When Sister Sparkle returned some time later, the kitchen was as busy as one might have expected it to be. The sisters eagerly set about their tasks; cutting up vegetables, putting pots on stoves, and a variety of other tasks to make ready for the preparation of the evening meal.
Through this organized chaos, Sister Sparkle traveled, until she came to the back-door of the pantry, where she had last left her novice.
“Now, let's see what she's done,” she said as she opened the door.
The sight she witnessed shocked her.
In the center of the room, Trixie sat next to a large, cast-iron kettle, where she was throwing potatoes, still fully skinned, into the boiling water.
“Oh, hello Sister Sparkle,” Trixie greeted her. “Back so soon?”
“What are you doing!?” Sister Sparkle exclaimed. “I told you to peel the potatoes, not boil them!”
“That's what I'm doing,” Trixie replied as she threw the remaining spuds. “There, that should do for that batch.”
“T-that's impossible!” Sister Sparkle stammered.
Trixie smirked.
“The proof is in the pudding; or in this case, the potato. See for yourself.”
She pointed to several buckets near the wall that were brimming with naked potatoes
“But how?” Sister Sparkle asked.
“I'm glad you asked – allow me to demonstrate.”
Trixie moved over to the kettle and retrieved a potato from pot.
“All one has to do boil these potatoes for fifteen minutes or so, and then...” she said, throwing it in another container. “Plunge them into ice water. A minute later, you pull them out, and...” she cut the potato lengthwise with a knife and instantly removed the skin. “Voila! You have a peeled potato in ten seconds flat!”
“I'm impressed,” Sister Sparkle said. “I'm curious though, where did you learn this from?”
“I already knew it,” Trixie replied.
“Uh-huh, I don't believe you. Really, who taught you?”
“Okay, fine,” Trixie said indignantly. “It was one of the sisters. But I did all the work, I'll have you know.”
“I can see that,” Sister Sparkle said, looking over one of the peeled potatoes. “Well congratulations, Trixie. You've completed your first task. Maybe you will stay more than a week...maybe.”
“A week? Bah! Trixie can stay here until the judgment day.”
“Be careful what you boast,” Sister Sparkle warned. “There are prophecies in ponies' words.”
“Well, Trixie doesn't like to brag, but...”
“Then don't,” Sister Sparkle said, cutting her off abruptly.
Trixie was taken aback at the sister's reprieve.
“Right, right, sorry...” she said, looking down.
Sister Sparkle approached her put a hand on her shoulder.
“Here, let us go and help the other sisters, shall we?”
“Alright...” Trixie said, giving a small smile.
The two of them spent the rest of the evening in the kitchen, helping the other sisters prepare the meal. When all the preparations were done, the sisters assembled into the dining hall to the ringing of bells and a short prayer was given; after which, the food was served.
Trixie, who had not eaten since this morning, eagerly devoured her dinner, which consisted of a hearty amount of boiled vegetables, a piece of bread, and of course, some baked potato bits – but curiously, no meat. This, however, didn't bother Trixie, as she had long ago adopted a vegetarian diet.
The meal passed silently until an hour or so passed, where at once, the sisters made their way to back to the chapel, in the same way as they had earlier that day.
Sitting in the same seat she had previously, Trixie watched as the evening prayer and the Holy Mother's blessing was recited, at which point, the day was concluded, and the sisters retired.
Trixie followed the sisters back to their quarters and then to her room, where she eagerly dressed into her nightgown and jumped into her wooden bed, thoroughly exhausted.
“What a day...” she remarked to herself as she felt the tender embrace of the night overcome her.
Just as she was closing her eyes though, there was a knock at the door.
Trixie sat up in her bed.
“Come in?”
The door opened and Sister Sparkle entered.
“Oh, I'm sorry,” the Sister said, “I didn't know you were already in bed.”
“It's fine,” Trixie replied, stretching. “Did you want anything?”
“No,” the Sister smiled. “Just wanted to see how you found your first day here.”
“Well, it's certainly...different,” Trixie said.
“I also wanted to apologize, about earlier,” the Sister continued. “I think I underestimated. After being here so long, I think have grown a bit cynical of new-comers, which I know reflects poorly on myself and the fellows sisters. It was wrong of me to say what I did about you, and for that, I ask your forgiveness.”
Trixie stared at her for a moment. She had almost forgotten about Sister Sparkle's earlier derisions, but for some reason, she couldn't help but feel moved by her act of self-reproach.
“It's fine,” Trixie said. “I know I don't really belong here. I'm an outsider, after all. But that doesn't mean we can't get along, does it?”
“Not at all,” Sister Sparkle replied, smiling softly. “We can...help each other.”
“Sounds good,” Trixie said. “Is there anything else you want, Sister Sparkle?”
“No, that's all,” she said, turning towards the door. “Other than: I hope you sleep well, because tomorrow, we start the hard stuff...”
Trixie's eyes widened.
“This wasn't hard?”
“Not even close,” she said as she leaned on the door frame, chuckling. “Sick-duty stuff, really.”
“You let your sick handle the food?” Trixie asked.
“You know what I mean,” Sister Sparkle replied. “Look – The morning service starts at five. I'll wake you up the first few times, but after that, you're on your own.”
“Seems a bit early...” Trixie said.
Don't worry,” Sister Sparkle replied. “You'll get used to it.”
“Is that all?” Trixie asked, slightly annoyed at Sister Sparkle's enthusiasm.
“Nope, that's everything,” she said, her hand already on the door. “Other than that, I guess I will see you in the morning.”
“Likewise.”
“Goodnight, Trixie.”
“Goodnight.”
The door clanked shut, leaving the room in darkness. Trixie fell back on her bed and listened as Sister Sparkle's footsteps descended down the hall until they were faint echoes, then everything was silent.
In the soft stillness, Trixie tossed and turned as she replayed the day's events over in her mind. Just this morning she had awoken in her parent's home, surrounded by everything she could possibly need or want, and now was going to bed in perhaps the most austere bedroom imaginable.
The contrast was striking, yet Trixie was not in despair.
Just a month, she thought to herself as she held pillow. Just a month and the I'm gone.
Though Trixie wondered if it would be as bad as she had first thought. Maybe it was merely the first impression that gave it such an intimidating feeling? She had been received warmly enough, and her tutor, at least, did not despise her...
Her tutor...
Trixie's mind suddenly drifted back to thoughts of Sister Sparkle.
There's something off about her, Trixie thought. She seems like she's hiding something....but what?
Trixie pondered whether this was true, or if it was just her imagination playing tricks on her. She had always been a good judge of character, or so she believed; yet, there was something cryptic about the sister, something she couldn't decipher.
What could it be?
Trixie mulled on this as she yawned and pulled the blanket closer over her shoulders.
I guess I'll figure it out tomorrow...
Soft whispers. Murmured breath. Clear sound.
“I love you...”
Hushed silence. Bated breath. Shaking hands.
“I know.”
Bleary eyes. Sinking gravity. Eternal waiting.
“Useless....useless.”
Narrowing vision.. Fading shapes. Darkness.
Darkness.
Trixie awoke with a startle as she felt the cold water hit her like a thousand knives; the entire room spinning as she sprang from her bed, drenched to the marrow.
“Hey!” she yelled. “What was that for!?”
On the opposite end of her cell, Sister Sparkle stood with a now empty cup and a stern demeanor.
“Rise and shine,” she said curtly. “Chapel is in half an hour.”
“Hay and feathers!” Trixie exclaimed, wiping her face. “Was that really necessary?”
“It's time to get up,” Sister Sparkle replied.
Trixie moaned as she looked outside to see the stars were still glistening in the evening sky. She felt the dreary tug of drowsiness urging her to lie down again on the bed, but the cold vapor of the water sent shivers down her spine, and forbid her from resting.
Trixie shivered and shook, yawning a bit as she got out of bed and stretched.
“Are you up?” Sister Sparkle asked.
Trixie nodded, leaning on the ledge.
“Yeah, I'm up...I guess.”
“Good – get ready.”
Trixie glared at Sister Sparkle before turning back to her dresser.
“Well, I see you're in a good mood this morning,” Trixie grumbled.
“I'm not really a morning person,” Sister Sparkle replied.
“Neither am I,” Trixie countered. “Which is why I’m wondering why you woke me up with a glass of water.”
“You weren't getting up,” Sister Sparkle shrugged.
“You could have just shaken me or something,” Trixie said, putting on her habit.
“It was on hand, and besides, a little water isn't going to kill you.”
No, Trixie thought, but a lot will drown you.
Trixie shook her head as she shrugged herself awake, trying desperately to resist yawning again.
“So, how did you sleep?” Sister Sparkle asked.
“Like a rock until you decided to douse me.”
“Oh, stop complaining, will you? It wasn't that bad!”
“Was so!” Trixie protested. “And, I'll have you know, I was in the middle of a dream, before you so rudely interrupted it.”
“What were you dreaming about?” Sister Sparkle asked curiously.
“Oh...” Trixie said, looking off. “I can't remember now, to tell you the truth. I guess I felt like I was falling.”
“I have those every so often. I hear they're quite common.”
“I always heard that if you don't wake up before you land, you die,” Trixie said. “You think it's true?”
“I don't know whether that's true or not – but if it is, you should be thanking me for saving you before you reached the bottom.”
Trixie rolled her eyes.
“I think I would have survived...” she grumbled.
Trixie finished getting ready, and after a quick trip to the lavatory (which was located down the hall), she followed Sister Sparkle with the other sisters through the cloister and back to the chapel.
As she traversed the dark halls, Trixie could not help but feel a perceived change in the atmosphere. The bright and inviting warmth that she had felt yesterday afternoon traveling the same route had been replaced with a strange unfamiliarity. Was it the solemn, stone-carved effigies seemingly staring at her from above? Or the gloomy shadows against the stone? Trixie could not tell, but the settings vaguely reminded her of what she imagined a medieval torture chamber might have looked like.
When they reached the two doors that lead to the sanctuary, Trixie made for the stairs to ascend to the balcony as she had the day before, only to be stopped by the sister.
“Here,” she said, tugging on her sleeve. “Come and sit down with the rest of us.”
“But..I'm still a novice,” Trixie said.
“Yes, but we all participate in Morning Fellowship.”
“Morning Fellowship?”
“It's a ritual we do to start each day. It's an invocation of the Holy Mother's blessing on the day.”
“Why is this any different than last night?” Trixie asked, raising her eyebrow.
“Come on,” Sister Sparkle said, leading her. “You'll see.”
“It's too early in the morning for all of this...” Trixie grumbled, following her.
The two proceeded into the sanctuary where they took their places in one of the pews near the front, while the other sisters found their seats. When everyone was finished, a prayer was given and a short song was sung, after which, the Abbess stood before the assembly.
“Sisters,” she began, “We're gathered here this morning, as we are every morning, to begin the day by the means most pleasing to the Holy Mother. We are here reminded that we are all sisters, of the same blood – the blood we share with our creator. It is therefore suiting that we honor this link, with ourselves and with the divine, by the symbolic drinking of the blood.”
She then held up her hands and turned toward the massive, stained-glass edifice.
“O Holy Mother, we take increased devotion to keep ourselves pure and humble before your sight, that we may seek our spiritual fulfillment through you. May our industries this day be blessed, and may the fruits of our labors prosper, so that the entire world may now your eternal and universal love. Amen.”
The entire assembly responded in kind and the sisters began to file in two columns from the center to the front, where a giant, gold goblet was brought forth and laid on the table before the altar. Each sister then proceeded in turn, bowing and getting a sip from the cup before being blessed by the Abbess and dismissed.
Trixie waited in curious expectation as the line inched closer to the front; watching as the others took their sip, one by one, until it was her turn.
Just before she was about to kneel, however, she heard Sister Sparkle whisper in her ear: “Wait for me.”
She nodded and then kneeled before the Abbess, who gave her a small smile and put the edge at her mouth and tilted it up. Trixie breathed through her nostrils as she felt the burning liquid trickle down her throat and was instantly flushed with warmth.
When she was done, the Abbess leaned forward and placed her hands on Trixie's forehead and made the same “o” shape she had seen her make the day before.
“Be blessed and go in peace,” she said softly; and with that, Trixie followed the other sisters out the back exit on the other side of the room.
When she reached the outside of the chapel, she waited by the double doors for Sister Sparkle to come, all the while feeling strangely uplifted.
That stuff sure does kick in quick, Trixie thought to herself.
Trixie began to hum silently to herself as the seconds ticked by until Sister Sparkle made her way out the door – her posture upright and a stride in her step.
“Ready?” she asked, motioning for Trixie to come with her as she started walking down the hall.
“Yeah,” Trixie said, following her.
“So, how do you feel?” Sister Sparkle asked.
“Great,” Trixie said. “Like...I'm not tired at all now.”
“That's expected,” Sister Sparkle said. “The Blood Potion works very fast.”
“Blood Potion?” Trixie asked.
“Yes, the Blood Potion,” Sister Sparkle replied. “It's brewed from an extract of the blood root; a very dangerous plant– potentially poisonous; but it makes a wonderful morning pick-me-up.”
“Poisonous?” Trixie asked, choking slightly,
“If not mixed right,” she said.
Trixie's face turned white and she gagged a bit, expecting the purging to begin at any moment.
“No fear of that though, “Sister Sparkle continued. “Sister Fluttershy, our infirmarian, is very meticulous about it all. She does wonders with those herbs of hers. You said you met her yesterday, didn't you?”
“Yes I did,” Trixie said, nodding. “Nice girl...are you sure it's not poisoned?”
“Pretty sure. And yes, she is a sweet dear,” Sister Sparkle said. “A bit timid – but sweet. Don't know where we'd be without her though. She keeps us all well and fit, and that's the important thing, I guess.”
“How long have you known her?” Trixie asked.
“Funny you ask that,” she replied. “I’ve known her ever since I first got here. The Abbess assigned her as my tutor when I was just a novice myself.”
“So quite some time, then?”
“Four years, as I think I mentioned before. And the most important thing I was taught was this: there’s no substitution for hard work; which is exactly what we’re going to be doing.”
“Joy,” Trixie said dryly. “Are you sure that potion was safe?”
“Absolutely....maybe.”
“Stop!”
Sister Sparkle laughed.
“Sorry, it's perfectly safe, I assure you. Here,” she said as they reached the end of the hall. “Follow me.”
Sister Sparkle opened the door and led Trixie outside into the crisp, morning air. At once the two departed the cloister and traveled up a dirt road that wound into the hills; passing by the ancient trees and flowing creeks of the forest as they ascended the gradually rising slope of the mountain, until they arrived at a wide valley, where a few sisters with baskets and trimmers stood tending to trees that lay in tidy rows along the basin’s slope.
“What is this?” Trixie asked.
“This is our Apple Orchard,” Sister Sparkle replied. “In the fall, the sisters here harvest these apples and take them back the cloister, where we make them into cider. In the meantime, they water the trees and make sure they are pruned and taken care of.”
“Looks like fun, actually,” Trixie said, looking over the idyllic landscape.
“This is not what we’ll be doing,” Sister Sparkle continued. “The Abbess has assigned me to the west-field – which has been fallow now for over two years now. So, in accordance with the crop-rotation manual, which I consulted this morning, we will be planting corn this year, since the last crop harvested there was tomatoes.”
“Uh-huh...” Trixie said, not half paying attention.
“Do you know anything about farming, Trixie?” Sister Sparkle asked.
“Nope, not a thing,” Trixie replied.
Sister Sparkle shook her head and laughed.
“This is going to be fun...”
They ventured to the valley's edge, where there was a large expanse of flat-land that lay apart from the other plots.
“This is the west-field,” Sister Sparkle said. “And this...” she continued, walking her over to a contraption made of wood and iron “...is a plow.”
“A...plow?” Trixie asked.
“Please tell me you know what a plow is...”
“How am I supposed to know?” Trixie asked indignantly. “I've never been on a farm!”
Sister Sparkle sighed.
“Just...get over there, and tie this rope around your waist.”
“Wait...” Trixie said, looking over the rope that was attached to the plow. “You're not expecting me to pull it, are you?”
“Well, it's not going to pull itself, is it?” Sister Sparkle asked.
Trixie stared at her.
“Look...” she continued. “It's not that hard. We'll do a row or two, so you can get the hang of it. Then if you're tired, I'll take over; but someone has to guide it.”
Trixie sighed.
“Fine...”
Trixie wrapped the rope around her waist and idled as Sister Sparkle readied herself on the back.
“Ready?” Sister Sparkle asked.
“Ready.”
“Pull!”
Trixie lurched forward, expecting the plow to follow behind her; but her feet lost traction, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground.
“Well...that's didn't go as expected,” Trixie said dusting herself off.
“Try it again,” Sister Sparkle said. “And this time, put your back into it.”
I'll put your back into it, Trixie thought.
“Ready, pull!”
Trixie stooped forward again, only this time, she managed to keep her center of gravity, and with much willpower, began to pull the plow up the hill.
“There we go...” Trixie strained as she pulled the wrought iron and steel through the fertile ground.
As Trixie ascended the gradually rising slope of the valley, she marveled at her own strength. She had never done any sort of physical labor before in her life – being rich, after all, afforded one that luxury – but she found this new experience exhilarating, in a quaint sort of way; like she was a proud farmer working the land by the sweat of her brow.
When Trixie reached the crest of the hill, she stopped; already panting and out of breath.
“There...” she said. “Done.”
“Done? We're not even close to done!” Sister Sparkle exclaimed.
“How much more is there to go?” Trixie asked, leaning on her knees.
“I would say....at least another two hundred, at least.”
“Ugh...” Trixie groaned. “I want a break.”
“You just started!”
“But...I'm tired.”
Suddenly there was a loud crack and Trixie felt a sting on the rear of her flank.
“Hey!” Trixie yelled. “What was that for!?”
“Get up there!” Sister Sparkle commanded, smacking Trixie's flank again.
Trixie squealed in pain.
“This is outrageous! How can you-”
Crack!
“Ow! Stop that!”
Crack!
“Alright, alright, I'm going, I'm going!” Trixie exclaimed. “Just stop!”
Crack!
Trixie yelped in pain as she turned the plow around for another pass; pulling as hard as she could, desperate to escape wrath of Sister Sparkle's riding crop. All the joy of she had felt going up the hill, suddenly vanished as descended it. Now, instead of an honest farmer working the land, she felt like a slave toiling under the sun – with a literal whip driving her on from behind.
“Please...” she said panting. “Let me rest... I'm so tired.”
“No pain, no game, Trixie,” Sister Sparkle replied. “Do two more rows and we'll stop.”
“That's what you said two rows ago!”
Crack!
“WHY!?”
“Less chatting, more pulling!”
Trixie bit her bottom lip to keep herself from swearing.
“Yes, ma'am!” she said, clenching a smile.
Trixie pulled and pulled until the thought that her legs would give out under her. At last, though, Sister Sparkle pulled on the reigns and caused the plow to come to a stop.
“Please...” Trixie said, wheezing. “I can't....go on.”
Sister Sparkle brought the plow to a stop dismounted, at which point, Trixie collapsed on the ground.
“Not bad, Trixie,” she said, looking over her work. “Ten rows in an hour. I'm proud of you. See, now was that so hard?”
“Not at all,” she said, digging her hands into the dirt, still trying to catch her breath. “You sure did whip me into shape...literally....ow,” she said, rubbing her sore posterior.
“Sometimes all it takes a little nudge.”
More like a forceful horse-whipping.
“Now, are you ready for another go?”
Trixie got up and turned towards her, smiling candidly as she could.
“Oh sure,” she replied. “But may I try guiding it? I mean, if that’s alright…”
Sister Sparkle hesitated.
“I don’t know…”
“Oh come on,” Trixie said, laughing slightly. “No hard feelings about earlier, right? It’s like you said yesterday: we can cooperate.”
“I guess so…but here; let me show you how it’s done.”
Sister Sparkle went over the basics of how to guide a plow and keep the rows even with each other. After a very lengthy discourse about the necessity of knowing the topography of the land, she handed the reigns over to Trixie.
“Like I said before,” she continued, “this is really hard – much harder than the actual pulling. Are you sure you’re ready?”
“Oh yes, Trixie thinks she can handle this nicely.”
“Alright,” Sister Sparkle said, trying the rope around her own waist. “But remember to start slowly. Just take it nice and…”
Crack! Crack! Crack!
“Ow! Hey!”
“Fun being whipped, isn’t it!?” Trixie yelled. “Doesn’t feel very nice, does it!?”
“Okay, okay,” Sister Sparkle said. “I had this coming, but still, you need to…”
Crack!
“Up!”
Sister Sparkle, stunned into silence, grudgingly turned forward and started to pull, straining as she ascended the hill.
“Let’s see if we can do twenty rows,” Trixie said, smiling. “Shall we, Ms. Sparkle?”
“Twenty rows!?”
Crack!
“Less chatting, more pulling!”
Sister Sparkle turned back and pulled with all her strength as they turned around for another go.
“No hard feelings, huh?” she grumbled.
“None at all,” Trixie replied, a smug grin of satisfaction on her face. “But I think you were wrong about this work, Sister Sparkle.”
“Oh?” she strained. “In what way?”
“It’s not hard at all,” she replied. “It’s dreadfully good fun.”
Crack!
Sister Sparkle cringed in pain.
“Yeah…” she breathed. “You just wait, I’ll show you good fun, I’ll…oomph!”
At that moment, Sister Sparkle lost her footing and fell face-first into the earth; coating herself in mud.
Trixie bellowed with laughter as Sister Sparkle wiped off her face.
“It’s not funny!”
Trixie only responded by laughing harder.
“Oh wow, this is too much!” she exclaimed.
“Help me out of here!” Sister Sparkle cried, trying to haul herself out of the muck, only to slip and fall back into the mire.
Trixie continued laughing until, all at once, a solid mass of damp earth landed on her face. As she cleared the dirt from her eyes, she turned her attention back to Sister Sparkle, who stood with her hand over her mouth, giggling.
“Oh…it…is…on.” Trixie said.
“Bring it,” Sister Sparkle replied.
Trixie immediately hurled herself into fray and began tossing a barrage of mud at Sister Sparkle, who returned in kind. In the space of a few minutes, they were both covered in dirt from head to toe, but still determined to triumph over the other.
Finally, though, Trixie managed to get the better of Sister Sparkle, and was soon mercilessly flinging mud at her as she crouched in the mire, shielding her face with her hand.
“Give up!?” Trixie yelled.
“Never!” Sister Sparkle exclaimed defiantly and hurled herself at Trixie's legs, toppling her to the ground.
The force of the lurch sent both of them rolling down the hill at high speed through the rows of the freshly tilled soiled – the momentum of the fall causing them to keep rolling until they came to a shaky stop at the bottom of the valley, where the land flattened out.
The two of them immediately tried to get up and continue their battle; but this soon proved to be too much for either of them to accomplish. They staggered about, dizzy and disoriented, until they both collapsed, the one beside the other.
“Trixie...” Sister Sparkle said, panting.
“Yeah?” Trixie replied.
“Truce?”
“Truce...” Trixie groaned, her head still spinning. “How do you feel?”
“Like I'm going to be sick...” Sister Sparkle said.
“You're not the only one...”
Trixie couched her head in her lap and tried to regain her sense of balance, while Sister Sparkle lay clutching her stomach beside her.
“That was quite a fall...” she said, some of her senses returning to her. “How far do you think we rolled?”
“A hundred feet, if not more,” Sister Sparkle said, getting up. “I'm amazed that...amazed that..” she held her head, clinching her eyes in pain.
“Are you okay?” Trixie asked, moving towards her.
“Yeah,” she groaned, sitting down. “Just my head...”
“Do you need help?”
“No, no. I think I'll be alright. Just let me lay her for a bit...”
“Alright,” she said, sitting next to her. “We can stay here for a while. No rush right?”
“We...we still have to finish up...but not right now. We can wait a bit...”
Trixie nodded, propping her hands behind her head as she gazed up at the sky.
“What time do you think it is?” she asked.
Sister Sparkle rubbed her temples before pulling out a little contraption that hung on a cord around her neck. She examined the dials on the little gadget, swaying it back and forth a few times while squinting.
“A little after ten,” she said at last.
“What is that thing?” Trixie asked. “How can you tell?”
“A sundial,” Sister Sparkle replied, shaking her head. “It tells the time, based on where the sun is. My parents got it for me for my birthday a few years ago.”
“May I see?” Trixie asked.
Sister Sparkle took it off her neck and handed it Trixie.
“Just hold it up to the sun and look at where the shadow lands...”
Trixie shielded her eyes and gazed down on the glistening, steel pendulum, which showed it to be, indeed, a little after ten.
“That's neat,” Trixie said in genuine admiration, giving it back. “But what are all these sliders for?”
“To make adjustments,” she said. “The sun's position changes based on where you are and what time of the year it is; so these have to be taken into account.”
“But wait...” Trixie said, puzzled. “Doesn't Princess Celestia raise the sun?”
“Yes,” she replied, fine-tuning the levers. “But she moves it in predictable patterns –these patterns are what make this possible.”
Suddenly, a shrill voice pierced through the air behind them.
“What is going on up here!?”
Trixie and Sister Sparkle turned simultaneously to see the Abbess storming up the hill towards.
““Never in my whole life have I heard such a commotion! You two could be heard for miles around! And I come up here to find this! Why all the noise!? And why are you two coated in mud!? Sister Sparkle, explain yourself!”
Sister Sparkle looked dumbfound at the Abbess, unable to form words to respond.
“Well?”
“Well, you see..,” Sister Sparkle began, rubbing her head.. “We uh...we uh...”
“Tripped!” Trixie spluttered.
“Yes!” Sister Sparkle exclaimed. “We tripped!”
The Abbess raised her eyebrow.
“You...tripped? How?”
“We were uh...uh...”
“Plowing!”
“Right, plowing! And uh....we lost our...”
“Footing!”
“Yes, our footing. And Trixie and I went tumbling down the hill and that's how we got coated in mud, as you see. Yup, that's exactly how it happened.”
The Abbess raised her eyebrow.
“Okay, that makes sense; but why all the noise?”
“It was a terrifying fall,” Trixie responded collectedly. “We couldn't stop, so we were calling out for help.”
“I still don't understand,” the Abbess said. “How did you two fall from all the way up there, to down here and not be able to stop?”
“It was a stupid mistake,” Sister Sparkle said. “Clumsy, really. We had forgot to unhitch the plow and I tried to get Trixie to stop and so I pulled on the reigns, but the harness broke, and it sent us both flying.”
Trixie nodded eagerly.
“Yeah, what she said.”
The Abbess eyes them suspiciously a bit more, scrutinizing their story with their appearances.
“Is that the truth of it, then?”
“Yes, ma'am,” the two of them replied in unison.
She looked down and then turned around, gazing off into distance.
“Sister Sparkle...”
“Yes, Abbess.”
“Take yourself and Trixie back to the cloister and get washed up. I expect both of you to be ready for midday Chapel.”
“Yes, Abbes,” she said, nodding dutifully. “But what about the rest of the field?”
“A day's work is a day's work, Sister Sparkle. We finish whatever we start – you know that, just like the rest of the sisters. I expect the both of you to finish this during your recreation time tonight, is that clear?”
“Perfectly, ma'am.”
“Good. Now hurry – chapel is an a hour.”
Sister Sparkle nodded and turned to her companion.
“Come on,” she said. “Let's go.”
They two of them departed together; trekking down the narrow path as it snaked around the valley's edge, back to the monastery below. It was only when they had put a little distance between themselves and Abbess, that they began to speak freely again.
“You know, you didn't have to do that,” Sister Sparkle said.
Trixie arched her eyebrow.
“Do what?”
“What you did back there, with the Abbess – you didn't have to do that. You didn't have to vouch for me; you could have left me out to dry.”
Trixie shook her head, smiling.
“What? And let you have all the fun? Never.”
Sister Sparkle chuckled.
“Still, it's was nice what you did, and I appreciate it – even if we did get a little carried away.”
“It's not a big deal,” Trixie said. “I'm sure you would have done the same for me.”
“Certainly,” Sister Sparkle replied. “I'm just glad we got off as light as we did; the Abbess usually doesn't tolerate these sorts of shenanigans.”
“Maybe you caught her on a good day,” Trixie said, shrugging.
“Maybe...”
“Plus,” Trixie continued, “She doesn't exactly strike me as the kind of person who would go out of her way to punish others; like she said herself: 'The rules are strict, but fair'.”
“What is fair and what is not fair is entirely subjective,” Sister Sparkle replied. “But as for the Abbess's conduct, I have no complaints. She keeps order, that's the important thing; which is the key to finding inner harmony.”
“Have you found inner harmony, Sister?” Trixie asked.
Sister Sparkle looked down.
Several moments of silence passed between them until Trixie decided to speak again.
“I'm sorry,” she said. “I didn't mean to...”
“No, no,” Sister Sparkle continued. “It's quite alright. I guess, to answer your question: I've not found inner harmony. But who can, really? With all the misery and suffering in this world, the cares and the worries, who can truly say they've found true peace? Only the dead.”
“That's a rather morbid thought,” Trixie murmured.
“Yeah...” Sister Sparkle said, looking away. “But death is not the end, I should hope.”
“You doubt?”
“I think we all do, at some point...”
“Never thought I'd hear someone like you say that,” Trixie said.
“It's only natural to question what you don't know.”
“But surely someone would know? Right?” Trixie asked.
Sister Sparkle shook her head.
“We rely on those above us to guide us spiritually and morally in the right direction, but, truth be told, I very much doubt if even Celestia herself knows what lies beyond the great unknown. It's all a matter of hope, really; but I guess, that's the essence of faith – hoping.”
Now it was Trixie's turn to be silent. She gazed and saw that everything, the sun, the clouds, and the sky were still there, but now instead of the usual easiness she felt, there was a blackness welling up inside her. It was as if the entire world had been turned on its head. What was she feeling? Doubt of what she had always taught was true? Disbelief that it was a Sister who was telling her this? Trixie did not know what to say or do and suddenly found herself in an emotional limbo – one where she felt like she was drowning in her sense of uncertainty.
“What about you?” Sister Sparkle asked. “Surely at some point you've questioned it?”
“Actually, I haven't...” Trixie replied softly.
“What's wrong? Why are you like that?”
“I...don't know,” Trixie said. “I feel...empty now. Like I don't know what's real anymore.”
Trixie continued to feel the darkness brood inside of her until she felt a warm hand wrap around hers. She looked up a Sister Sparkle flashed a demur smile.
“Don't worry,” she said. “I'm real at least, you see?”
At that instant, Trixie felt a strange comfort come over her. Sister Sparkle's touch was like a beacon in the darkness. And in a brief moment of sincerity, the storm of her doubts subsided and everything was made concrete again; the dimensions of existence clearly understood.
“Thank you,” Trixie whispered.
The two continued their journey to the cloister in silence; a serene concord permeating their amity, until they came to entrance and entered the front hall.
“Where do we go?” Trixie asked?
“Follow me,” Sister Sparkle replied.
They traveled down a few corridors until they reached a long hallway, where there was a single, latched door on the right. Sister Sparkle opened the door and went inside.
Trixie followed behind her, only to be greeted by a rush of hot air against her face as the sister undid the latch and opened the door.
“What is this place?” Trixie asked, coughing a few times.
“This is the bath,” Sister Sparkle replied.
“A bath? It's like a sauna in here!” Trixie exclaimed, peering through the thick clouds of steam floating over the vapid waters.
Sister Sparkle laughed.
“Nothing like a good sweat though to help you unwind” she said, going over to a cupboard. “Now undress so I can send your habit to the launders.”
Trixie gasped.
“Undress?” she asked.
“Yes, Trixie,” Sister Sparkle replied. “Undress. Or are you going to bathe with your clothes on?”
“Wait...” Trixie said. “The bath? As in one?”
“That's correct,” Sister Sparkle replied, starting to take off her own clothes. “We all bathe together.”
“S-stop!” Trixie sputtered.
“What?” Sister Sparkle asked. “Never bathed with another girl before?”
“No!” Trixie exclaimed. “No I've not!”
Sister Sparkle rolled her eyes as she folded her habit and put it in the cupboard.
“You don't get out much, do you?”
Trixie blushed. She had always been afforded the luxury of bathing alone. She never thought, not in a million years, she would be sharing a bath. The idea seem impossibly embarrassing to her.
She shielded her eyes as Sister Sparkle removed the last of her undergarments, leaving her entirely exposed.
“This is not right,” Trixie said, folding her arms and looking up at the ceiling.
“Right or not,” Sister Sparkle said, inching up to bath's edge, “but I'm not going around smelling like caked mud and dirt.”
The sister slowly lowered herself into the steaming waters.
“Yeah, that feels nice,” she said, sighing contentedly.. “Care to join me, Trixie?”
Trixie pouted.
“Absolutely not.”
“Suit yourself,” Sister Sparkle said, shrugging. “But you won't have time to bathe after me – chapel starts in less than an hour.”
Trixie made no attempt to respond. She would not be moved to degrade herself in such a way; nothing in the world was worth this sort of humiliation.
“Honestly,” she said, waving her hand, her eyes still firmly shut. “You country bumpkins have no sense of decency.”
“Oh?” Sister Sparkle asked, playfully giggling. “How so?”
“Yes,” Trixie replied. “You see in the city we have a quaint concept; it's this new thing we like to call privacy. You know, the expectation that there are boundaries and that individuals should be allowed to do certain things ALONE.”
“You really don't know what you're missing,” Sister Sparkle called as she started lazily swimming. “The water is nice and brisk. It's like all your troubles are just floating away.”
Trixie mulled. She had not had a bath since she had left from home nearly two days ago and was feel rather dirty, especially after the day's debacle. She listened for a few moments more as Sister Sparkle took her time indulging herself in the bath until she let out a defeated sigh.
“Promise not to look?” she asked.
Sister Sparkle closed her eyes.
“Promise.”
“Turn around,” Trixie said.
“Really?”
“I wanna make sure you're not looking!”
Sister Sparkle sighed.
“Fine.”
She turned around and confined herself to the corner on the far side.
“How's that?” she asked.
“Good,” Trixie replied. “Now don't turn around.”
“Yes, your majesty,” Sister Sparkle said facetiously.
While Sister Sparkle waited patiently in the corner, Trixie made her way over to the cupboard and took off her habit and her other layers of clothing; depositing them the same bin from earlier.
When she was down to her undergarments, she stopped.
She looked over shoulder in the sister's direction, only to see she was still turned around.
“Alright...” Trixie murmured.
She let her bra and panties descend to the cold floor below and put them in the launders, shivering in the drafty air as she tried to cover her exposed top with her arms.
“Done yet?” Sister Sparkle asked.
“Not yet,” Trixie replied, dipping her toe in the water.
“Well hurry up. I'm getting bored.”
Trixie hesitated.
“Just jump already!”
Trixie took a deep breath and, gaining a running start, jumped into the pool. She immediately surged to the surface, gasping for air.
“Sweet Celestia that water is hot!” she yelled. “Why didn't you warn me?!”
“I told you it was brisk!”
“Yes, but not scalding!”
Sister Sparkle laughed.
“May I turn around now? Or would you like me to stay in the corner until you're done?”
Trixie rolled her eyes.
“You can turn around.”
Sister Sparkle did a back-stroke and lazily floated next to Trixie.
“How does it feel?” she asked.
“Wonderful,” Trixie replied, brushing her hair. “How do they keep it so warm?”
“The kitchen below,” Sister Sparkle said, pointing down. “They're always baking bread, so they use the excess heat to warm the bath.”
“Interesting,” Trixie said, dipping her head and resurfacing. “Does everyone use this?”
“Everyone, all at once.”
Trixie shook her head.
“Seems terribly invasive.”
Sister Sparkle shrugged.
“You get used to not having any privacy after you've been here a while,” she said. “Everything is designed to be as 'sisterly' as possible.”
“Yet you're not allowed to talk to anyone,” Trixie replied. “How are you expected to be close to anyone if you can't talk?”
“It's strange that you mention that,” Sister Sparkle replied. “I know it's now our purpose here to fraternize, but as much as I try to get to know people, most of the time I feel like I'm surrounded by complete strangers; faces I've seen a thousand times over but...completely unknown to me.”
“What about at recreation?” Trixie asked. “Surely there's some way.”
“There's always some way,” Sister Sparkle said. “After all, observing and obeying a rule are two entirely different things.”
“What do you mean?”
“Come now, Trixie, don't be so naive. Do you really think anyone takes the whole 'no talking' thing seriously? The Sister's are always chatting; that's why the Abbess had to add in the 'no gossiping' rule later.”
“Well, then why is getting to know others so hard then?”
Sister Sparkle sighed.
“I don't know, to be completely honest with you. I've tried to talk with them and be friendly but...they never seem to take to me. They always whisper when I go by or give me …looks.”
“Well, you seemed pretty intimidating when we met yesterday...”
“And I don't mean to either, it's just...this place, the sisters... they start to get to you after a while. But you, Trixie, you're different from the others; I could tell that yesterday when we met.”
“Me?” Trixie asked. “How so?”
“I don't know...it's something though; just can't think of it.”
“I don't blame you,” Trixie said, rinsing her hair. “There's a lot about me to like.”
Sister Sparkle rolled her eyes.
“Not least because of your narcissism.”
“Oh please,” Trixie said, cleaning her nails. “You know I'm not into pain.”
“No, that's....” Sister Sparkle paused, looking away. “Something else entirely, Trixie.”
“Oh? What?”
“I'll tell you some other time.”
Trixie frowned.
“You're going to have to offer an explanation, sooner or later.”
“Nah, I'll just continue to keep you in the dark and let you guess – much more fun that that way.” Sister Sparkle replied, smiling.
“You would,” Trixie replied.
“What's that suppose to mean?” Sister Sparkle asked, paddling.
“You've been nothing but an enigma since I arrived here – an impenetrable wall of secrecy.”
Sister Sparkle shrugged.
“What you see is what you get with me.”
“I don't believe that,” Trixie said. “I think there's more to you than you let on; like you're hiding some deep, dark secret.”
Sister Sparkle chuckled.
“No, I have no deep, dark secret, I'm afraid.; Just lonely,” Sister Sparkle said, looking down. “And looking for a friend, I guess.”
Trixie felt a tug on her heartstrings as she looked at the saddened sister.
She really must not have any friends if she's telling me all this, Trixie thought.
She wanted to lend her some sympathetic words, but something held her back; something that made her bite down on her lower lip.
I sure hope she doesn't take this the wrong way...
Trixie moved closer to the sister and smiled softly.
“Well,” she said, trying to act casually. “You seem like a nice enough person. Why don't you and I be friends?”
Sister Sparkle looked up, her expression rife with confusion.
“What?”
“Yeah,” Trixie continued nervously. “We can be....you know... girlfriends.”
Trixie immediately regretted saying what she did, but it was too late now. The only thing that was left to do was wait for the inevitable response. The silence dragged on, but just as she was going to say something else though, she was met by a pair of willing arms, which wrapped themselves firmly around her neck, causing her to gasp in surprise.
“Well,” Trixie chuckled nervously. “You sure are friendly, aren't you?”
“Thank you,” Sister Sparkle whispered in her ear. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
Trixie blushed as she felt the sister's naked body rub against hers.
“Don't mention it,” she said, trying to push her away. “What are friends for, right?”
Sister Sparkle suddenly pulled away from the embrace and gazed into Trixie's eyes.
“Remember though,” she said sternly. “You can't tell anyone. This has to be our secret. You promise to keep this a secret?”
Trixie looked down, butterflies filling her stomach.
“I promise,” she said softly.
Sister Sparkle nodded.
“Good. I know you won't say a word. I trust you.”
“But Sister Sparkle, what if...”
“Please,” she said, smiling. “Call me Twilight.”
“Twilight...what if someone catches us?”
“You leave that to me,” Twilight said. “I'll think of a way to keep in touch. In the meantime, we need finish bathing; chapel starts in less than thirty minutes.”
Trixie nodded and silently went about finishing her bath.
Although she felt at ease in the warm waters, Trixie felt a deep disquiet inside of her. She only been in the cloister for a day and she was already breaking the rules. She knew she was forbidden with making relationships, but something about her just seemed to...click.
Trixie pondered the chances of getting discovered. She didn't want to put her new friend into unnecessary risk, but surely she knew the consequences....otherwise she wouldn't have approached her, right?
A flood of thoughts and doubts raced into Trixie's mind as she and Twilight dried off and donned themselves in new habits. What did this all mean? What would the others think of her? Was this even real? These and more she pondered, but just as before, they were silenced when the sister's delicate hand held hers, as they made their way to the chapel...
