Moonlight

Moonlight
by milesprower06

Celestia Explains It All

Moondancer angrily sorted through the books she had brought over from her house. She was reshelving Twilight's private study, double-checking what she wanted to leave here, and what she would take back to her house. She wasn't sure if she would still be allowed here after what she had sent the school that morning.

To Princess Celestia, Headmistress of the School for Gifted Unicorns,

I will be departing the School for Gifted Unicorns effective immediately. All of my tuition is in order.

Cordially,
Moondancer

She had also gotten a letter from Twilight early that morning, and she wasn't quite sure how to respond just yet. Her first order of business would be finding something to replace the stipends from her research paper submissions. Somepony in this town had to be hiring for something.

Her book sorting was brought to a pause when she heard a knock on the door downstairs. Setting the books down on the floor, she descended the stairs and went to greet her visitor. It was probably Twilight, come to see if she was okay. She opened the door, and her gaze was immediately drawn upward, for it was an alicorn, but not the lavender one she was expecting.

"What do you want?" She asked to Princess Celestia grumpily.

"I came to see if everything was okay. You weren't home, and Twilight sent me a letter telling me that you'd be occupying this place for now. I didn't think it would be followed up with a drop-out notice.

"Yeah well, life's full of surprises. I'm busy." Moondancer said, turning back to head upstairs.

"And judging by your tone, I'd say this isn't a good surprise, or that my visit is welcome. Moondancer, is everything okay? Have I done something wrong?"

Moondancer turned back to the princess with an angry, annoyed look.

"You sent her away! Twilight left in such a hurry because you needed someone to make sure your annual party went off without a hitch! She showed me her scrapbook. I saw your letter to her. 'Make some friends'? As if the five of us didn't even exist! That's why I'm dropping out. Our friendships with her didn't matter to you, and I cannot respect that."

Celestia took a few moments to take the accusation in.

"Moondancer, you're upset; from your point of view, understandably so. But if you give me a chance to explain, I hope it will stop you from making a decision you'll regret." Celestia responded as calmly as she could to the distraught unicorn.

Moondancer took a breath, and figured that at the very least, she should hear her out.

"Fine."

"Thank you. Please follow me."

Moondancer followed the Princess up from the lobby back up to the private study. She showed her the podium that Twilight had left a book laying open.

"Predictions and Prophecies." Moondancer said, looking at the page it was open to.

"I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I saw more deeply into it than Twilight did. She paid attention to the "stars aiding in her escape," thinking it was the stars in the sky helping Nightmare Moon escape from the moon. I interpreted it a different way; I saw the stars as her cutie mark; she'd aid in her escape, and not Nightmare Moon escaping from the moon, but rather, Luna escaping from the darkness of Nightmare Moon."

Celestia glanced back to make sure Moondancer was understanding everything so far.

"It also alluded to 'two of each kind', so whether she was a good friend or not, I had a feeling the new bearers of the Elements of Harmony would not be the six of you; you're all unicorns. It said that they would 'come from the praising of the sun', or rather the Summer Sun Celebration which celebrates the summer solstice."

"And what about staying in Ponyville?"

"That was her choice. I was prepared to let her return to Canterlot, but she wanted to stay. Moondancer... Friendship is magical, and she began to discover that magic with her five friends down in Ponyville. I knew she would rekindle her old friendships soon enough. Did I believe it would take all this time? No, perhaps not. But they're rekindled now, and if I've heard things through the grapevine correctly, that her flame of friendship with you is a bit brighter than the others, hmm?"

Moondancer's cheeks tinting red was all the affirmation the princess needed.

"It took her awhile to come around and remember you, and if the two of you work out, then perhaps a consolation would be that you'll be closer to the Princess of Friendship than any of her old or new friends are right now."

The thought and realization warmed Moondancer's heart.

"So perhaps you'll want to rescind your notice of departure?"

It took a deep breath and a gulp, but Moondancer managed to look up into Celestia's gentle gaze.

"Yes, I'm sorry."

Celestia smiled.

"Apology accepted, because I have been long considering making you an offer."

"What kind of offer?" Moondancer asked, intrigued.

"You've been writing and submitting thorough research papers for years, on all manner of subjects. If you could figure out which area of magic you like best, and focus on it, I would be compelled to offer you an apprenticeship at the school."

Moondancer's heart skipped a beat. An apprenticeship at the School For Gifted Unicorns would be huge. It would finally give her life direction, an area of study to focus on, and a career. If she was lucky, it could even lead to a professorship.

"An app-p-prentice? Me?"

"You've been using books and studying as an escape and coping mechanism for many years. Now that you've rekindled your friendships, I'd like to see those years of study put to practical use."

"I-I don't know what to say..." Moondancer said, overwhelmed at the possibilities.

"Well, you don't have to say anything right now," Celestia said, turning to leave. "If you decide it's something you'd like to pursue, let me know which discipline of magic you choose."

Moondancer nodded, and watched as Celestia disappeared down the stairs.

She walked to the window, and stared out at the city of Canterlot.

"Wow... Just... Wow..."

Twilight didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night, and now it was beginning to show. She had spent all night fretting about what had gone wrong, the disastrous way Moondancer interpreted the first page of her scrapbook, and whether she should forget waiting for the train and just fly up to Canterlot to see her. Yet, a part of her told her to not give chase, that if Moondancer left without saying goodbye, then she probably wanted to be alone. There also wasn't any proof that she had actually gone back to Canterlot.

She ended up playing it safe and sending her a letter early the next morning, which as of now, had gone unanswered, affirming the possibility that she wanted to be alone.

"Twilight, I'm sure she's fine. She just needs a few-"

Spike paused mid-sentence as a gas pocket made its way up his chest. With a belch and a flash of flame, a scroll materialized and dropped to the floor, moments before Twilight grabbed and unfurled it.

Dear Twilight,

I'm sorry for running off last night. I took that first page of your scrapbook pretty badly. Don't worry, everything's good now. More than good, actually. I need some of your help and advice. If we're continuing to swap, the third date's mine. Say, this coming Wednesday at Frosthay Spire at 7:00?

Love,
Moondancer