Chapters Letters of a New Friendship Student
Dear Princess Twilight,
Today I learned that when your old friends have made new friends it can be a little awkward at first but it’s okay because that friend isn’t replacing you whatsoever, they are just expanding their friendshipness, I guess. Not sure about the wording, I’ll get back to you on that one.
The train ride took forever, but we finally got to Ponyville. I’ve never been out of Canterlot before so I was a bit of a nervous wreck but my friends helped me through it, specially Minutte. She kept talking to everypony on the train to the point where I thought their ears were going to fall off. The scenery is beautiful this summer and Twinkleshine said it looks even better during Autumn so I suppose I’ll have to come visit then too.
We could all see your castle from miles away, we couldn’t believe how big it is! How did that even happen, Twilight? It looks like a giant crystal tree of some sort, I’m not familiar with the material as far as I know. Maybe we could conduct some test while I’m in town, that is, if you haven’t thought about finding out what material the castle is even made of.
We’re staying at Lyra’s place, well and Bon Bon’s. That’s her best friend, apparently. They’re really two interesting ponies, always complimenting each other and helping one another. They’re absolutely adorable really. Of course, that isn’t what I thought at first.
You see, I thought Lyra was replacing us with Bon Bon and I got quite upset at the time. We met at this tea shop close to their apartment. Our friends forgot to even mention Bon Bon so it threw me for a loop when Lyra came walking towards us with another mare. We all introduced ourselves but I was still steaming on the inside.
After we had a few drinks and some snacks we began to walk back to the apartment with our stuff. I couldn’t look at Lyra, I felt so betrayed. She caught on, asked me what was wrong while Bon Bon was showing the others around their apartment. I tried to remain calm but that didn’t work too well.
After listening the whole time she just… laughed. Laughing, not the first reaction I had predicted in all the possible outcomes of this situation but there she was, laughing away. She explained to me that Bon Bon wasn’t replacing anypony and that she was her roommate when she first moved to Ponyville. They really hit it off after the first few weeks and ever since have become inseparable.
“See,” Lyra said to me as I looked at my own hooves. “I’m not replacing you or any of my other friends. It’s just important to make new friends as to stay in contact with old ones because having too many friends is never a bad thing.” She paused. “Scratch that. The only exception is Hearth’s Warming Eve, too many presents to buy and not enough bits.
That cause me to giggle. We hugged, made up, and went inside. I warmed up to Bon Bon and she even was helping me learn how to cook. She’s really nice, I understand why Lyra would want to be around her all the time.
You can really see the stars in the sky in Ponyville, no giant buildings blocking your view. It’s a beautiful sight, all those constellations twinkling up there.
Sorry we didn’t stop by today but we’re going to be here for about a week so we’ll have plenty of time to come visit you! Tell Spike I say hi!
Your sleepy student,
Moondancer
Author's Note
Anypony else love in episode 100 that Lyra and Bon Bon kept emphasizing "best friends" because I did. Gosh, the expression on their faces and their body language was fantastic.
Letters of a New Friendship Student
Day 3: Cutie Mark Memories
Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,
I was reminiscing about the day I received my cutie mark. I heard some pretty eventful stories from Lyra over brunch about the Cutie Mark Crusaders before they received their cutie marks. I couldn't help but giggle at the thought of my own attempts as a foal. However, one of those attempts proved fruitful.
Growing up in the serene town of Canterlot, nestled under the watchful gaze of the royal palace, my family expected big things from me. From a young age, my heart was captivated by the mysteries of magic and the allure of the night sky. My days were a symphony of pages turning and spells unraveling, my mind thirsty for knowledge.
The night sky held a special place in my heart. Even as a foal, I would spend hours beneath the stars, enchanted by their twinkling beauty. This connection to the cosmos ignited a passion within me, a burning desire to understand the secrets of the universe and the magic that wove it all together. Perhaps, rivaling that of Princess Luna's love for the night.
As the years passed, my studies deepened. Ancient tomes became my companions, and I immersed myself in deciphering spells long forgotten and exploring the intricacies of magical theory. Yet, my singular focus on my studies had its consequences, even as a foul—I found myself often isolated from my peers, my circle of friends small and distant.
Then came the announcement of Canterlot's grand event—the Starfall Festival. This was my chance to showcase my devotion to the night sky, to prove that my dedication was not in vain. The festival celebrated the magic of the stars, and I saw it as the perfect stage for my passion to shine.
In the weeks leading up to the festival, I worked tirelessly, crafting a magical performance that would bring the cosmos to life. My spells, carefully woven, were meant to create illusions of constellations dancing across the sky. Each formation would tell stories of ancient legends and the mysteries that had captivated my imagination.
The night of the festival arrived, and the town square shimmered with starlight. With my heart pounding, I took my place at the center. As the crowd gathered, I began my performance, pouring my magic into the spells I had meticulously crafted.
The audience watched in awe as the night sky transformed before their eyes. Constellations I conjured seemed to dance and twinkle, responding to the rhythms of my magic. The stories they told came alive with each shift and shimmer, and I felt the connection between myself, the night sky, and the enchanted crowd.
In a crescendo of magic and emotion, a radiant light enveloped me. I could feel it—the unmistakable sensation of a cutie mark forming on my flank. When the light receded, it was a beautiful crescent moon accompanied by a cluster of stars. My cutie mark, a symbol of my dedication, my uniqueness, and the harmony I had found in my connection to the cosmos.
The applause that followed was a thunderous roar, echoing my heart's own exultation. In that moment, I realized that my journey, though solitary at times, had brought me here for a reason. The pursuit of knowledge and my passion for the night sky hadn't isolated me; they had set me on a path that was uniquely mine. That night I received my invitation from the Princess herself to attend her school. Little did I know how that one decision would change my life and lead me to this small town of Ponyville.
While I used to look at my cutie mark story with regret due to the solitary, I realize it has become a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and the beauty of embracing one's true self, how I felt that exact night. With my crescent moon and stars gleaming on my flank, I continued to explore the mysteries of the cosmos, forever linked to the harmony of the night sky.
Today I came to realize that even memories that once caused pain can eventually become manageable or even pleasurable with the passage of time.
Your not-so-young-anymore student,
Moondancer
Letters of a New Friendship Student
Dear Princess Twilight,
You came to visit Canterlot this week and me, being the studious pony I am, ignored you at first. When I saw that you had come to visit me at my home, I didn’t know what to do at first. I thought you would have stayed out of my life forever since the party incident, but there you were with Minutte, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine standing upon my doorstep. I was bitter towards all of you, that much was obvious. The first time I put myself out there to the idea of making friends and one of them doesn’t show to the only party I ever throw? I thought it was the end of my friend making days after that.
Although, it wasn’t. I made friends that I didn’t even realize I made, like the librarian and the bookseller. Everyday I had spent chatting to them I never considered that friendship, but we appreciate each other and, I guess, that’s one of the things friendship is about.
However, I realize now how much my other friends tried to make that party mean everything all for me. They tried to get me to laugh, play games, open presents, eat tons of cake, but all I focused on was the fact that you were missing. I hurt them too, I didn’t appreciate my party even though they had worked so hard to help me with it. I’m going to make it up to them this week when we go visit Ponyville tomorrow, somehow. We’re going to visit Lyra and maybe make some new friends too.
I’m going to drop by your castle (Minutte says you live in a castle? I didn’t think Ponyville was big enough for one based off the maps I've studied, but she assures me that you do.) with the our friends and drop off some goodies that were making (Lemon Hearts is handling those mostly because I am a terrible cook). I hope you like lemon bars!
Make sure to tell Spike that the picture he gave me is hanging above my study desk and that I really appreciate it. We’re going to have to take another one tomorrow all together, huh? Maybe we can even start on a photo album!
Well, I’m done for the night, off to the Post office as soon as I find stamps, somewhere….
Oh, right! I need a lesson for today don’t I? Hm, okay, got it.
Today I learned that even though old friendships may seem distant and forgotten, rekindling those friendships can be just as enjoyable as making new friends.
Your studious student,
Moondancer
P.S. You still need to teach me Haycart’s methods.
Author's Note
I'm trying to create this story from a new perspective. That episode really got me in the the feels and, honestly, is my favorite as of right now. It reminded me of old friends I need to catch up with and how I can learn from my mistakes. I can't wait to keep writing new chapters for this!
