Life New and Old

Before I knew it, it was the weekend. I suspected Twilight wouldn't be as busy with her royal duties today and we'd begin our lessons.

"Twilight!?" I called, walking through the big halls.

"In here!" she replied, opening a door.

I ran down the hall until I came to the open door and looked inside. Twilight was packing a saddlebag.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm going to Canterlot. Did I tell you about the time I went to an alternate universe?" I shook my head. "Remind me too. Anyway, this universe had many technologies I think would be beneficial for Equestria. As such, I've been trying to reverse engineer them from memory for some time now and would like to discuss there integration into society with Princess Celestia. I even have some working protypes to show her."

"What kind of technologies are these?"

"Little writing tools that have the ink inside them called pens if I remember correctly, mobile communication devices you can take anywhere, and even the ability to manipulation photographs on a computer."

"Computer?"

"I wasn't very familiar with them myself, and there are so expensive that's it rare to see anypony with one. I intend to find a way to sell them cheaply, along with everything else I saw in that other world."

"That sounds amazing."

"And all of it was in a world that does not have magic. Could you believe that?"

"No way! Really?"

"Really." Twilight paused for a moment. "I wouldn't be able to start your lessons for while. After this, I need to read up on teaching."

"You made me your student without any experience in teaching?" I asked shocked.

"No, but I was teaching foals some new skills. Teaching an adult pony is something else entirely."

"Alright. I'll see if any of the girls want to hang out." I sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it just that... this reminds me of the time back when I was a foal. Sunburst and I would plan to do something for the weekend, then something cool would tease his curiosity, and we'd end up researching that instead." I paused. "Sometimes I wonder where he is now."

A thoughtful look crossed Twilight's face. "Would you reunited with him if you had the chance?"

"Well, yes," I replied hesitantly. "Why?"

"Just asking." Twilight answered, putting her saddlebag on and walking to a balcony. "I'll be back tomorrow. Spike will be here if you or anypony else need anything."

"Okay."

Twilight flapped her wings and took off with a jump. I watched as she disappeared into the distance, then turned and eventually found my why out of the castle after some trial and error. Once outside, I made my way into town. As I walked, I noticed ponies stopped and whispered among themselves when they saw me.

"Starlight darling, over here!" I heard Rarity call. I turned to face her, and found her with Applejack. I walked over.

"Hey Rarity, Applejack, what's up?" I asked.

"We're going to the spa, would you like to come with us?" Rarity replied.

"Sure, but I didn't take you for a pony who liked the spa, Applejack."

"I would usually go with Fluttershy, but she's off visiting Discord this weekend, so I thought my beloved here would be happy to go with me." Rarity said, nudging Applejack.

"What about Spike?" I asked.

"He wouldn't come near the place after his deep tissue massage. I really should have warned them about that." Rarity replied regrettably.

"Ah don't blame him. Ah'd just don't feel comfortable doing all the fru-fru stuff." Applejack added. "It'd help if you came along."

"Understandable." I replied, and the two herdmates led the way. As we went, the whispers started again, only this time with surprised faces. "Do you know why they are whispering?" I asked quietly.

Rarity looked uneasy. "Well, news got out about Princess Twilight Sparkle now having a student, and naturally ponies wanted to know about them..."

"But somepony stuck their muzzle where it didn't belong and got the dirt on you." Applejack finished.

I felt my left twitch. "It's okay, it's okay. I can still salvage this situation." I giggled.

"Calm down, gal." Applejack soothed, "We've seen a look like that before and it didn't end well."

"Indeed, to this day I still wonder how we could have been so inconsiderate to Twilight like that." Rarity added.

"But what am I going to do? Nopony will even come near me now!" I said worriedly.

"Maybe we can change that." Rarity put in with a sly smile. We soon arrived at the spa. Rarity walked up to a window where a light purple mare with a pink mane. "Hello Lavender, we'll have the usual. Also, I need to speak to Lotus or Aloe."

"Of course, miss Rarity." Lavender replied, walking off, "You'll be seen to shortly."

We took a seat in the waiting room. Soon, a blue mare with pink hair approached.

"Rarity!" She cried joyfully. She approached Rarity and kissed her on either cheek. "So good to see you."

"And you." Rarity replied.

The blue mare turned to Applejack, a bit surprised. "Miss Applejack, glad to have you again." she said, hugging AJ instead. She turned to me. "Hello miss..." She frowned when she got a good look at me.

"Lotus Blossom, aren't you going to introduce yourself?" Rarity asked accusingly.

"Of course, welcome to Ponyville Spa. Any friend of Rarity's is a friend of ours. I assume you are Starlight Glimmer, Princess Twilight's new student."

"Yep, that's me."

"Is it true that took ponies cutie marks?" Lotus asked.

"Lotus!" Rarity scolded.

"Forgive me, I merely wanted to know the truth. There are many rumors about you going about." Lotus added.

"That's okay. Yes, it's true. Princess Twilight showed me who wrong I was. I've been trying to change ever since." I replied.

"Actually Lotus, I think you would help her with that. I believe Starlight needs a new look. Something that says, I'm approachable." Rarity put in.

Lotus looked at me. "I do see something. Nothing big, just an adjustment to your manestyle."

"Wonderful, trust me Starlight, this will do wonders for your image." Rarity added.

"I guess." I replied doubtfully.

"We'll see soon enough. Come, it's time for your treatment." Lotus said, leading us into the building.

"It's pretty crowded in here." I commented.

"It does my heart good to see more ponies appreciate the services a spa can offer." Rarity replied as our treatments began.

"What do you think?" Lotus asked, holding a mirror to my face.

I gazed at my reflection. It was such a small change to my mane, yet I wouldn't have recognized myself if I had not seen her work on me.

"I like it. I feel like a new pony."

"Glad you like it." Lotus said happily.

I got up and walked out the room. Applejack and Rarity were talking when I got there.

"Ah really enjoyed that." Applejack said sheepishly.

"I knew you would." Rarity replied somewhat smugly.

"Do ya think we can do it again sometime?" Applejack asked.

"Of course Darling. You just tell me when you're available." Rarity answered. Then she noticed me "Starlight, you look like a whole new pony."

"I feel like one. In fact, I feel I can show my face to the world again." I confessed.

"A new look does tend to do that." Rarity conceded. "Come dear, let's show Equestria the new you."