A shoe adorned hoof scuffled in circles on a golden dining table. The surface reflected the irritated face of the majestic Alicorn. Her former student had been gone for a long time now. Celestia had sensed the smaller Alicorn was acting quite peculiar. Twilight Sparkle's new pupil had not arrived, giving her much anxiety. But Celestia knew it was more than just that.
Across the luxurious array of pastries sat three ponies. No, two ponies and a donkey. Their presence made things only more awkward for the Princess. The donkey, in his slumped over posture, announced. "How do you get your hair to do that all the time?"
Celestia sighed with a roll of her eyes. Of course the one with a toupee asks that question. Not to mention the toupee was a mess, supported by a song bird. Celestia's horn glowed a soft yellow. The fake hair raised up over the donkey's head. The bird being startled, it flew off into another room. It's a wonder why the bird had not fled already. A yellow aura positions the toupee gentle on the bald head.
The donkey was only slightly effected. "Ah-, thank you -um, princess."
Growing more impatient, Celestia brought up a question. "How did you, Cranky, ever become friends with Starlight Glimmer? I am curious to know."
His blue eyes only portrayed confusion. "Who what now?"
"Starlight Glimmer. The reason you are here. This meeting is to discuss her new friendships."
Cranky plainly put it, "I know no Starlight Glimmer. Sorry ma'am. I'd just like it if I got home. My wife is expecting me to pick up some apple tarts."
A silent snort exited Celestia's breath. She turned her attention to the right. "And how about you, young Pegasus."
"Who me?" The grey mare cocked her head, her eyes appearing to mimic. "I'm Ditzy Doo!"
"Yes, but, do you know Starlight Glimmer?" The regal Alicorn tested.
"Um..." Ditzy put a hoof on her chin. "I don't think so. I'm just here for the muffins!" The cheerful mare shoved a baked good into her mouth.
With a groan, Celestia then made it to the last pony. "Then, that leaves you. Do you have any association with Miss Glimmer?" The white Unicorn did not respond. Her head bounced steadily, her blue hued hair wobbling. Celestia raised a brow. "Do you hear me? You, Unicorn. You surely must know who I am. Do you know Starlight Glimmer." No reply again.
Ditzy Doo swiveled over, glancing at the quite mare. She faced the princess, and motioned her hoof to her ear.
Yellow magic grasped the headphones from the mare's head. Celestia, in an even tone, addressed, "Are you listening to music while in my presence?"
The pony's voice quivered. "Woah. I'm sorry there Princess. I didn't know you were talking to me."
"So that's what she sounds like!" Ditzy praised.
"What do you know about Starlight Glimmer?" Celestia interviewed the white mare. "Miss..."
"Just call me Vinyl!" She said. "And Starlight Glimmer? Oh yeah. Uh. That's the mare that, like, enslaved a village, right? She's mega crazy. That's just what I've heard. I don't know what Princess Twilight is thinking about taking her as a student."
"Well, at least one of you has heard of her," Celestia sighed. "Twilight Sparkle is the Princess of Friendship. Of course she would take a pony like Starlight under her wing. That Unicorn needs to learn the most she can about friendship. That is why you are all here. Twilight told me you were her friends."
"Yeah, I don't think so." Vinyl shook her head. "But... maybe I did see here earlier? I don't remember. Twilight dragged me into a bush. Of course I was too caught up in my music. And these shades make colors different." Vinyl removed her glasses.
The Pegasus next to her leaned over excitedly. "You're eyes are so pretty!"
"Yeah, sure. Thanks," was Vinyl's response.
Just then, the melting ice sculpture collapsed. Ditzy was startled, and hid behind the mountain of muffins. Celestia held her breath. It had been too long. But as a proper princess, all she could do was wait patiently. Impatiently.
An ear twitching, Celestia picked up the sound of several pairs of hooves clipping on crystal floors. It came from far away, and grew closer. The large double doors swung open with the swish of magenta magic. Twilight Sparkle took in a deep breath, puffing out her breast.
"I'm so sorry Princess!" She exhaled.
Celestia confronted her. "For what? For leaving me here? Lying to me? Oh no, it is quite alright."
Twilight's purple gaze was befuddled.
"No," The larger Alicorn countered. "You should be sorry. This act is not princess like."
"I-I'm sorry. I promise I have a good explanation!"
"I'm sure you do. But why would you ever lie to me?"
The lavender mare bit her lip. "I'm sorry. I should have told you the truth." She pivoted to the three sitting at the table. "And I'm sorry for dragging you here."
"Whatever," Vinyl said.
"You better be. I need my apple tarts!" Cranky croaked, crankily.
"It's fine!" Ditzy retorted with a smile. She took another muffin.
Behind Twilight Sparkle was her pupil, Starlight Glimmer. The pink Unicorn stepped up. "Princess Celestia, please don't take it out on her. It's not all her fault. I told her I would be here, but I didn't come."
"That doesn't make up for her saying these ponies-and donkey- were your friends. Friendship is not something to make up."
Twilight put a hoof under her horn. "I know. I feel so stupid. I can't just make up friends for Starlight. She clearly can make friends on her own. I shouldn't have doubted her."
"Is that true? You did make a friend?" Celestia directed to Starlight.
She bowed. "Yes. I did make a friend. But it took a little to long. Now it's too late for this meeting. I just needed to figure things out."
"Where is this friend of yours?"
"Her friend is here!" Another voice broke out. A blue Unicorn came from the hallway.
"Trixie..." Celestia murmured. "I'm surprised you became friends with her. But... I am proud."
Starlight gave a big grin. She felt pleased to know she made a princess proud.
Looking for Twilight, Celestia noticed she was now in a corner looking over a book. Her body was more slouched than Cranky's. Twilight looked up as Celestia placed a hoof on her shoulder.
"As I have witness before, I know you are capable of self discipline. I do not need to go to the extreme to punish you. I know you learn from your mistakes, as well as teach others about theirs. The matter is that you need to know when to let go of your discipline. You are a intelligent pony Twilight. You must not put yourself down for mistakes. I know your friends would not." The Princess turned to the two Unicorns.
"I never said I was Twilight's friend," Trixie corrected. "I'm Starlight's friend!"
"That doesn't mean you can't be Twilight's friend," Starlight said. "She's a really nice pony. And maybe you guys can learn about magic from each other."
"I already have you to learn magic from," Trixie stated.
"But there is always room for more friends."
"Indeed," Celestia agreed with a smile.
"I guess this dinner was still ruined," Twilight orated, staring at the table.
"Maybe not," Celestia remarked. "We still have plenty of food, except for muffins. The only things out of place is that melted ice sculpture."
"I can fix that," Starlight Glimmer assured.
Her horn began to glow a bright aqua color. Magic filled the pool of clear water. Rising, it swirled around in a tower. It took shape and crystallized into a most beautiful dancing figure, much more dazzling than what the ice had been before. Everypony gaped at the mystical creation, even Cranky.
"You have very powerful magic," Celestia observed, impressed.
"Ah, it's nothing." Starlight blushed and rubbed the back of her neck.
"Nothing?" Trixie protested. She waved a blue hoof in the air. "You're magic is what helped me succeed the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive!"
Celestia stared in disbelief. "You did the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive?"
"You... know about that?" Starlight asked, unsure why a pristine Princess like Celestia would know such a thing.
"Oh yes. I remember when Hoofdini did it himself. I was always a fan of his work. Although it was a little overdone. But it was pleasing to see he entertained ponies around him."
A pause. Celestia mused, "But, how did you get a Manticore?"
Trixie held her breath. "Well. I kinda lured it out of the Everfree forest. I got it in chains but... I think it was biting at them."
"Oh goodness," Celestia worried. "Those things can be dangerous to ponies! If it gets free, who knows what will happen. I need to call Luna right away."
"Luna?" Twilight questioned.
"Yes. Manticores are nocturnal after all. When we first arrived in Equestria, she was able to befriend a Manticore. Naturally, Luna is the best pony for this situation."
The Alicorn trotted over the the door. There were two royal guards there. Celestia leaned to the Pegasus one. "Please inform Luna right away." He saluted his princess, and was off.
"Now," She returned to the gathering. "We should continue this dinner."
"If you don't mind me," Cranky announced. "I think I'll be on my way. I've wasted enough time in this place." He exited without a grant.
Twilight spoke to the other ponies at the table. "Ditzy Doo, DJ Pon-3, if you would like to leave, you can."
"I'm gonna find more muffins!" Ditzy bounced off of her cushioned stool. She took a wobbly flight to the hallway.
Levitating her headphones and glasses, Vinyl passed by Celestia and muttered to Twilight, "And, it's Pon- EE." She corrected the pronunciation. Twilight has said the 3 as 'three'. "The 3 is an E." Vinyl then left with her head bobbing to the music in her headphones.
Twilight expressed an embarrassed frown. "I just read it how I always saw it on party invitations."
"I'm sure she will forgive you," Celestia noted. "Just like I and your friends have. It is the pony way." She sat down and took a sip of tea.
"You're right." The purple Alicorn took a seat next to her.
Surely Luna could handle a loose Manticore, right? Or maybe, the new group of friends could tame it with their magic. However, that was not the focus now. They all needed a break from any strenuous or emotional activity. They all passed the pastries around and laughed about the day.
