The sun shined down upon Equestria, signaling the start of a glorious morning in Canterlot, glorious to all but a lone blue colt. For those who seemed to enjoy their times in the fabulous city, this colt in particular despised every second of it. He never got any thrill in his life, whenever it was from his job as a gemologist in the Canterlot Gem Museum, or spending time with other ponies after hours. He cared about his studies, and his co-workers, yet never cracked a smile. Some weren’t even sure if he could. This was an issue that started out small, but soon grew in ranks up to Princess Celestia herself. The colt’s name was Blue, Blue Shade to be exact.
The Princess had to better understand this colt, so it was scheduled that morning for Blue to appear before her for a small chat. As he made his way to her throne, Celestia recognized the color pattern of his mane. A messy casual style with a dark shade of black. The ends however were light blue. “You’re the young colt who specializes in dark magic gemstones, correct?” One among royalty would feel flattered, yet Blue lowered his head in a depressed sigh. “Yes, that’s me alright.” Celestia didn’t understand what she could’ve said to make him feel upset. If anything, it was a compliment. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you sad.” “Oh I’m not sad, Princess. I just don’t feel joy from it.” “Why is that?” Blue moved his gaze over to the exit, seemingly eager to leave. “It’s nothing, Princess Celestia. If I may ma’am, I would really like to return to work.” He slowly began to walk away, before being stopped by a large white wing in his path. “Just wait a little longer, please. I thought we could talk more.” Blue lets out another depressed sigh, looking at the floor. “Sure, fine, I guess.” “Please, this way, Blue.”
She walks with him to another room of her castle, where they both can sit in peace and quiet. “Your co-workers at the museum wanted you to visit me. I want you to know that you’ve done nothing wrong, but they’re concerned about you.” “Exactly about what? I’m fine.” “Blue, you look deep in sorrow. Something is obviously wrong. Care to tell me what that may be?” He lets out a small groan, rubbing his forehead with his right hoof. “This again? Look, its just my personality, ok? I just don’t really feel comfortable about certain things.” “Oh? Well, would it be alright for you to explain why you feel this way?” “I guess. I’ve worked my flank off in gem study ever since I was a filly. Emotions never really coped well with my mind. Laughing makes my skin crawl and feeling gitty like all these fancy ponies in Canterlot makes me squirm, its just embarrassing. I focused all my time to my field. Its what keeps me calm and comfortable.” The Princess couldn’t understand how any pony could just shut out emotion. It just didn’t seem right to her. “Blue, there’s nothing wrong with sharing emotions. Being happy, laughing with friends, it helps you grow as a colt and live.” “I’m quite fine the way things are, Princess. It isn’t an issue.” The Princess lets out a sigh, wrapping her hoof around his shoulder. “My dear, you should be shining, full of life, just like a gem. You have a great life, yet I can sense that you refuse to admit it, suppressing all your joy. Your friends…” “They’re just my co-workers. I rarely talk to them outside of work, unless they drag me to dinner with them when I lose time to study my crystal findings at home.” “Wait, do you have any friends?” Blue nods his head, looking at the clouds through the windows. “I don’t need friends. My life is fine without such disturbances.” “Blue, friendship is like the magic around us. It binds us, allow us to achieve things no pony could ever do on their own.” The blue shaded colt gets up, making his way for the exit. “I got where I was with the studies I learned. Friendship could never do such a thing.”
Instantly, Celestia teleports in front of him, with the look of glee on her face. “Then perhaps we could make a little wager, Blue?” “What in Equestria are you talking about, Princess? I’ve got no time for this. I must return to the museum.” She smiles cutely, signaling her guards to appear. “I think you are in need of some immediate vacation time. That’s why I’m assigning you to travel out of Canterlot, to share your emotions and make some friends!” The colt widens his eyes, hoping that this was all just a trick. “Clearly you’re quite the comedian, Princess Celestia. May I leave now?” “First, yes, I can tell the most hilarious jokes, but I’m absolutely serious. You must learn to look life as something more than just work and experience true friendship, expressing the joys it can bring you to turn that frown upside down.” “You…but this is utterly pointless! I am an Equestrian Major in Gemology! My time is better spent in the workplace!” “Well that’s where the wager comes in. Two weeks out of Canterlot to make some friends. If you can go that long and not make a single friend, I, personally will transfer you to the Crystal Empire, working alongside others in the study of gems and crystals!” Although he didn’t show, deep within his consciousness, Blue knew this would brighten his life. Away from the gitty fancy ponies of Canterlot, plus a chance to better his career would increase his bit account. “Princess, I hope my transfer papers won’t take too much of your time.” She lets out a small chuckle, petting Blue’s mane. “You really think you can pull it off without getting a friend, huh? How charming, but if I’m right and you do get a friend, then you’ll stay where I send you, hopefully full of glee.” “Exactly where am I going?” “A small town called Ponyville. I’m sure you’ll accept it as your new home once you become acquainted with the ponies there.” “Princess, I assure you, two weeks out of Canterlot won’t change a thing for any pony.” Celestia smirks, remembering the last time she sent some pony away to Ponyville. “If he only knew,” she proclaimed in thought.