Author's Note
But what if the episode Nightmare Night never happened?
Owing time
It appears I had underestimated the amount of change that could occur within a thousand years. It was foolish on my part truly. Nothing in this world can be truly capable of remaining the same forever. Even things that are forever like my sister and I have changed as years stacked on years. Things change almost completely when they're unable to die. But yet they're always the same pony, which I'm unsure is an injustice or just cruel fact. In the millennium I had vanished, Equestria had changed so much that I am forced to take drastic measure to become comfortable with my culture shock.
With this matter I consulted with my sister, for only her I trusted with admitting my concerns. She glanced up at me from her scroll held in a magic grip.
"What has you so upset Luna?" She spoke calmly, rolling the scroll in one fluid motion.
"I wasn't aware my concerns were so apparent."
She let out an airy chuckle, "You've been anxious most your life. I've picked up the hints at this point. Now," she rested her hoof on my shoulder gently "What's wrong Luna?"
I let out a sigh, closing my eyes as I explained. "It's been a year since I've returned sister. Even with that, I have continued to struggle grasping the new customs of the kingdom. I worry I will not be a proper leader if I don't even understand my own people. What would be to happen if you fell ill or succumb to something worse and I was unable to lead the ponies of Equestria? There would be chaos among the cities. Other kingdoms would question our stability and I would be considered a blight on Equestria's history once again. I want the citizens to have no fear in facing me. I'm not the same mare anymore."
I hadn't realized the extent of my anger until I had concluded my speech. I found my breath heavy and a knot within my throat. The expression my sister gave me did not help in my comfort. It was an expression she had given me many times before. I refused to mention that guilt that always spread across her face as she did for me when she knew I was upset. There were certain topics within a family that were never touched upon unless brought up out of absolute necessity. We silently agreed with one another that we wouldn't mention the battle that commenced before my exile and my problems wouldn't be touched upon unless I willingly sought out advice. She pulled me in closer to her, reciting some mantra too low for me to hear.
"Luna, I understand your concerns, but I find the chances of those to occur close to impossible. I would never abandon you to the kingdom and it's problems, ever. It's been some time now, you can't change as fast as I believe you want to!"
"That is not the concern! I don't worry about the speed of my recovery, but the success of it. I want to be able to hold conversation here without striking fear in ponies hearts." She gave me a tied smile, and only in that smile could I see the years of stress etched into her eyes.
"Luna, in order to learn, you must apply yourself." I wanted to interject but she continued.
"I think, that in order to get the kind of results you're looking for, you would need to be free from me."
"But sister-" she held up a hoof to me
"If you are worried about me, I will be traveling soon anyway, so you are not sacrificing any time with me if you go. With my travels," she released me and stood, slowly walking to the windows lining the room, "I think it would be good to expose you to others. You've been back a year and not once have I seen you properly interact with ponies outside the palace. I am not forcing you to separate from me, but I dearly recommend it." She looked to me with her diplomatic smile. I felt a tinge of loathing that I was being given the same smile as the ponies we were forced to meet and pretend we enjoyed the company of.
"And how long will I partake in this "learning experience"?"
"A month. I will be visiting many cities, but I will expect to arrive back at Ponyville by the end of the trip. I think that will be long enough for proper training and by the end of the month, I'll be able to see your progress and we can return home together."
I inhaled deeply, releasing the tension I had built up throughout this conversation. "I will take your offer. But I have one thing to ask."
"Yes Luna?"
"Why Ponyville?"
She chuckled, a much more playful smile tugging at her lips "It will be a good piece of nostalgia for you Luna. And I believe you owe them some time." She said finally, trotting out of her personal study as if to seal the deal.
~~~
"Twilight!" Spike called, jogging over with a scroll in his arms. Twilight looked to him, cutting off what she was saying to the other two girls.
"What is it?" She asked, rolling out the scroll "It's from Princess Luna!" Twilight bristled and surprise.
"What does it say?" Fluttershy spoke up, Rainbowdash nodding and trying to peep at the letter.
"Yeah, she's never talked to us before. Is something up?" Twilight batted her away as she reached the bottom of the letter
"Not per say.."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Rainbowdash retorted, frown stretching further. Twilight cleared her throat, looking up at the two mares bashfully. Fluttershy offered a reassuring smile, obviously hoping for the best. Twilight rolled the scroll with a huff and offered it back to Spike.
"We are to find a teacher the Princess," She explained matter-of-factly. She winced at the resounding "What?!" that came from Rainbowdash. Rainbowdash stared at Twilight incredulously.
"Why come here for that? There's tons of ponies in Canterlot that could help her isn't there?" Twilight huffed and took the scroll in her magic grip again.
"There is, but I believe the princess just feels indebted to us. Here"
"Dearest Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbowdash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie,
I apologize if this letter comes at an inconvenience but I am in need of your assistance. Due to my exile I have lost touch with much of the world and it's new customs. When I had been sent off much of what is here today was just a concept. I come to you out of concern about my abilities to properly engage with other ponies. If the occasion were to occur where I would have to take the head of the kingdom, I worry I would be a mere shadow compared to my sister in my abilities of dealing with the citizens. I want to be a successful leader, but I doubt I would be anything but a blight on Equestria's history if I were to do it now with my current knowledge. I am trusting you six and your town because in my sister's words I "owe you some time" and I trust you deeply now that you have given me my redemption. I believe that I can only truly have faith in Ponyville. My sister and I both agree that I need help from an ordinary pony, not a teacher who will bombard me and possibly be untruthful of my progress. Celestia says that I need to leave the castle every once and awhile as well and learning here would compromise that idea. I am aware at how inconvenient and ridiculous it seems for me to learn miles away from here when I live in the capital but as I said before, my sister says this will be the best option for me. She has a faith in you all and I trust her and her opinion full-heartedly. Even so, I can understand if you don't want to teach me personally. I am aware you all have occupations and lives of your own so if you are unable to teach me yourselves, I will accept whoever you recommend to me. I trust your judgement and will not be angry with your decision no matter what it may be. I know none of you would choose poorly as a joke. I have a strong belief that you want what is best for each and every pony, which leads me to trust you with such an important task.
I will be in Ponyville for a month starting next week. On my last three days my sister will arrive to socialize with the townspeople and see my progress. I am giving you this week to prepare everyone and everything. I know it will be no easy task choosing my mentor either, so I deemed it better to give you time to prepare rather than coming there now myself. Please send me any further letters if you have any concerns about my trip. So, to summarize: Due to culture shock, I will be visiting and training under the pony of your recommendation. This is under my own free will, so i entrust you with choosing my "mentor" of sorts.
With my deepest regards,
Princess Luna"
It had been five days.
Letters between Twilight and I had been passed back and forth throughout most of the time. Occasionally I had received some from the others of the group, mostly Fluttershy and Rarity. The two were much more concerned about the quality of my stay, while Twilight focused on my actual goal I had going there. I was actually found to be quite flustered at their concern. Fluttershy was much more endearing however, as Rarity had a much louder approach to my arrival and assisting me however she may. On the fifth day, the letter that arrived however concerned me. Twilight had sent it saying that all the preparations had been made and I was able to come over as soon as I like and that they had all bickered over the teacher but they had finally settled it democratically. Reading this made me worry I had stressed them to the point of rushing. I did not worry about the argument over my teacher, for one thing I was sure about is that no force could tear the group apart for more than a day. I put my fears aside however. I moved to write a response to alert them of my arrival tomorrow morning.
I rested my Saddlebag down and folded my wings back down over them. I decided to pack lightly; I felt it would be good for more than just space. I wanted to step away from living like a princess. This month would be as if I had lost my title. The best way to understand a person is to live as them. I looked around my bedroom wistfully. I was delaying the trip out of fear. What if all the effort would go to waste and I still dishonor everyone? I let out another sigh. I was not going to end my training before it had even commenced.
"She's coming! She's coming! Get ready everyone!" Pinkie cried excitedly. She hopped all over the town, alerting ponies of the princess arrival. Twilight stayed in the main square, going over anything and everything with the ironically unfazed mare in front of her.
"And you'll make sure she helps you with even the most mundane of tasks?" Twilight questioned. The mare gave a quick nod and lopsided smile,"I will."
"And your work was okay with you bringing her to learn and socialize?" The mare hummed and nodded. Twilight opened her mouth to ask her another question; but was pulled away by Applejack and Rarity. The two complained that she was asking too many questions and reassured her that everything will turn out fine. They all waved off the mare, who had feverishly been told not to move from her spot in front of Sugercube Corner until they came back with the princess.
Once I entered Ponyville, I was bombarded by an enthusiastic Pinkie Pie.She gasped loudly at the sight of me, offering her signature ear to ear grin. "Princess Luna! You're here! Where are your bags? You didn't bring anyone with you? And you like so much darker! Did you look like this-"
"Pinkie Pie," I said firmly "Please state your questions when the others arrive." I instructed her forcefully, but I may have done it too forcefully. She leaned back, curls fluttering back at my bellowing.
After her initial shock, she leaned up to me, "Okay! Am I supposed to shout when I talk to you?" She cleared her throat and shouted, "Is this too loud?!" I raised my own voice to cover her insistent scream-chatter
`"You may return to your previous tone!" As she began to laugh at... something, I saw the other five approaching quickly.
"Is everything okay Princess?! We heard you shouting!" Twilight cried, sliding as she braked in front of me. I felt a heat pool up in my face at my embarrassment. I had only been within the town for a mere three minutes and I already gave the six false concerns.
"Can I ask my questions now?" Pinkie spoke up
"We can talk about things on the walk, darling," Applejack objected, hoof on Pinkie Pie's shoulder. The others agreed; Rarity chiming in that she too was excited to speak to me but refrained. Twilight chattered shout the planning for the month they did together along with facts about the town.
"It was actually kind of tough to divide who to choose. We wanted you to enjoy you're time here and to be compatible with whoever we choose; we don't know much about you though so we had to make a few guesses based on what we do know. We we're all quite busy though so unfortunately we had to only chose from the other ponies here. I'm sorry if you were originally looking forward to spending the month with us."
I blinked at her as we walked on down the path, "You don't need to be so concerned Twilight. I hold no objection against who you all have decided for me. I respect all your opinions greatly." I felt proud in my job in comforting her until I saw a forced smile stretch across her lips. "Thank you princess. Though, if I could suggest something, could you lower your volume?" Twilight raised a brow and from behind me I heard Rarity hum in agreement from behind me.
"It's not to say it's a bad way of speaking Princess, it's just... it's a little too strong and you might scare people if you just start shouting at them. Rainbowdash nodded, "Some people in Ponyville are a little finicky. So you might spook 'em."
I nodded, taking note of my first lesson. "O-okay," my voice dropped down to a near mumble "is this better?"
"Much better, but you don't have to mumble. It'll take practice but we know you'll get there," Fluttershy reassured. I could understand why she was the first to speak up at hearing me. She sounded like she was one of the "finicky ponies" Rainbowdash had mentioned. Perhaps I could learn proper tone from her.
I looked to Twilight as she dragged off her sentence after abruptly stopping. I raised an eyebrow before following her gaze. We had made it to the center of the town. A surprisingly empty space for this time with houses, small restaurants and shops. What drew my attention however was the bright pink building with a mare half hanging out of the window. The other six rushed over to her quickly, Twilight loudly calling at her as she did. I slowly came towards all the commotion. The mare carefully pulled her head out from the inside. She looked to me and gave me a bright smile. She pulled away from the window quickly, only to tumble to the dirt. I looked to the others as they all spoke at once to one another and to the undeterred mare. The mare pulled up close to me when she regained her footing.
She looked directly into my eyes as she greeted me but I found it hard to do the same for her. One of her eyes stared off to somewhere above us but the other seemed intently focused on my own blue, fixed ones. Her mane fell directly in her face, unkempt and yet not an entire mess.
"Do you like blueberry muffins?"
"Excuse me?" I tilted my head, using my new gentle tone.
"I asked if you like blueberry muffins."
I looked to the other mares briefly, but they all seemed as confused as I was. I returned to the blonde mare, who was still looking at me intently. I cleared my throat gently, "I do actually. Why are you asking?" I raised a brow, and then raised another as she further invaded my own space by placing a hoof on my chest and pulling even closer.
"Because I didn't know what you would like! And it was the first thing Mrs. Cake suggested. I love all muffins so i don't have a fair opinion," She spoke very quickly, and as she did her eyes-eye?- finally left me for a brief moment. I looked down at her her hoof, realizing that she was only doing it to meet my height. I gave a warm smile to her when she returned her gaze to me,"Thank you for considering my opinion." She chuckled, "It's no problem princess! I just wanted to make sure I gave you something when you got here."
She moved back to the window to grab a bag from what I presumed to be Mrs. Cake. The others mumbled under their breaths to one another before the mare turned back around. The mare offered a bag to me and I pulled it up to me with magic force. Her eyes seemed to almost glitter as I pulled out one for each of us. Twilight smiled as she stepped up next to me.
"Well princess, we'd like you to meet Ditzy Do, she'll be the one helping you!" Ditzy corrected her as she bit into the muffin, "You can call me Derpy though." It would be rude to say I doubted her abilities, but I was genuinely surprised at the idea.
"Oh! I'm quite happy to meet you then. Thank you for offering your time to help me. I truly appreciate it," I bowed my head at her. She kicked the dirt at her feet bashfully, laughing nervously, "You really don't need to thank me. It's not everyday you get a chance to be with the princess and become friends with her!" I smiled lightly “I suppose not…”
Author's Note
And let's hope I can continue actually being good at my job :))
