The Cutie Map was many things. It was an important symbol of status, with its various agents respected as bringers of friendship. It was a mysterious magical artefact, with many questions surrounding both its origins and its abilities. And it was also a useful tool, helping ponies to discover who, out there in the wide reaches of Equestria, was in need of help. What most people wouldn’t expect it to be, however, was a place to place your tea cups when having a drink with a friend. And yet, that was exactly what it was being used for right now, as Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship, was sitting upon her throne, using her magic to levitate a tea pot and pour two separate cups, smiling all the way.
"Sugar?" she asked.
Beside her, sitting in one of her friend's thrones, was her student, Starlight Glimmer, who smiled right back and gave a brief nod.
"Just one spoonful, please."
Twilight nodded back and gave the amount requested, and before long, Starlight's cup was similarly levitated over to her. After blowing on their respective drinks to cool them down, both mares took a simultaneous sip, after which they let out long sighs.
"Ah! That's what we need!" Starlight commented.
Twilight giggled briefly.
"I imagine it was all quite an experience, going over there?"
Starlight chuckled in response.
"I’ll say! Walking on two legs, having those...those hand things! It was all...well..."
"Weird?" Twilight suggested.
Starlight smirked to her.
"Pretty much, yeah."
Again, the two mares laughed together, and when they were done, Twilight was the one to speak next.
"Well, regardless, I'm glad you were able to have a good time over there. I remember my first time in the human world. All those new sights and sounds. And having no magic was a bit troubling for me, I'll admit."
Starlight nodded.
"Yeah, Sunset said magic is pretty different over there. Harder to control."
Twilight considered that, looking more thoughtful as she did so.
"She's not wrong. That world was never meant to have magic at all. It's only ever experienced magic that's travelled over there from Equestria. And, as you saw, it's caused more than a few problems."
As before, Starlight nodded in agreement.
"Yeah...like giant women trying to become superstars?"
This time, it was Twilight's turn to smirk.
"Among other things, yes."
Starlight took another sip of her tea, then looked to Twilight, who seemed to be eager to hear more from her. After a few moments of silence, the student finally spoke to the teacher.
"So...was there anything in particular you wanted to know about my visit?"
Twilight sighed, her smile a warm one.
"Yes. How are my friends doing over there? Sunset, Rainbow and the others?"
Starlight looked to her with some reassurance.
"They're all fine."
Then she paused, considering those words.
"I mean, yeah, they did kinda have to deal with being trapped in a magic mirror for most of my time there, but they were okay in the end. Even made a new friend at the end...who happened to be the one who got them trapped in the first place."
Twilight rolled her eyes.
"I swear, it's always one things after the next with those girls."
Starlight looked to her with some incredulity.
"You mean like how things usually are here?"
Now looking a touch embarrassed, Twilight coughed nervously.
"Yes...well..."
Eager to change the topic, Twilight looked to Starlight again.
"How's Sunset been? I would Have liked to catch up with her while she was here, but..."
She didn't finish, for Starlight soon answered.
"She seemed alright. Took some getting used to for her to act like a pony while she was back here, but she seemed to take to it okay."
Twilight smiled, taking another sip of her tea as she glanced over to the nearby magic mirror.
"I would have liked to see that. Still, I guess it’s like riding a bike. You never forget."
Starlight took on a look of confusion.
"Er...a bike?"
Seeing her lack of understanding, realisation came to Twilight, and she began to explain.
"A human thing. Don't worry about it."
Starlight nodded, taking her word for it. Then, after trying some more of her own tea, a thought came to her. Raising a hoof, the unicorn patted the top of her head, her expression one of pure curiosity.
"Although...I am a little confused as to why the mirror dressed me up the way that it did. Making me human, I kind of get. But the clothes? Not so much."
Twilight giggled again.
"It's something of a taboo over there to be naked."
Starlight looked to her, surprised.
"Seriously?"
Twilight nodded in confirmation.
"Yep! I asked about it once, and the girls all looked really uncomfortable about it."
Starlight considered that.
"Huh...that would explain why Sunset tried to stop me taking that shirt off after I first got there."
Suddenly, Twilight's eyes widened, and she leaned over to her student.
"Oh! That reminds me! How were you dressed over there?"
Starlight shrugged her shoulders.
"Nothing too special. A jacket, shirts, some trousers..."
She paused briefly.
"...that were torn for some reason."
Her own eyes widened.
"Oh! And a beanie."
Twilight seemed surprised by that.
"You mean...as in a hat?"
Starlight nodded.
"Yeah. I never considered myself as a hat person, but apparently the mirror thinks otherwise."
Twilight chuckled, looking over to said mirror.
"It's strange, when you think about it. We know so little about these things. The mirror. The table. We don't know who made them, or what they can truly do. And yet we use them so much."
Starlight nodded in agreement, looking over to the mirror herself.
"You're right. Still..."
A smile crept to her lips.
"...all things considered, it was a nice place to visit, giant woman and all. I'd got there again if they wanted me."
Twilight looked to her, smiling, and reached over to place her hoof upon her shoulder.
"And I'm sure they'd love to have you. From what Sunset tells me, you and she got along swimmingly."
Starlight's smile widened.
"And I liked having her around too.”
This time, Twilight's expression was one of nostalgia, as she looked down at her tea in silence for a time, eventually speaking softly.
“You know...it’s funny. When we first met, Sunset was my enemy. A mare who'd stolen from me and was planning on something that I had to put a stop to. If you were to go back and see us...you’d never think we’d be anything other than adversaries. But now?”
Her smile remained, and she looked comforted by her current thought, gazing upwards to her student again.
“Now...I could never imagine my life never having met her. She’s a friend, Starlight...and one I’m proud to have.”
Starlight smiled in return, drinking some of her tea in the silence that followed. When it passed, she spoke in a similar tone.
“Yeah...she did seem pretty great. I was glad to have met her. Although..."
The mare looked around, checking to make sure nopony else was around, before leaning towards Twilight and whispering to her.
"...I hear she actually has a human boyfriend. I'm betting that took some getting used to, right?"
Hearing that, Twilight started to laugh nervously, scratching the back of her head as she did so.
"Ha! Yeah! A pony with a human boyfriend, that's pretty...pretty weird...right."
Starlight looked to her with a raised eyebrow, prompting Twilight to take a great big gulp of her tea, avoiding her gaze the whole time. Eventually, and after some hesitation, Twilight chanced a look back to her friend.
"Um...on an unrelated note...did you happen to hear how said boyfriend is getting on?"
Starlight stared at her, her expression completely blank as she tried to understand the question. Then, ever so slowly, understanding came to her, and then, shortly afterwards, a knowing smirk, as she spoke in a clearly amused manner.
"Oh? And pray, Twilight...why are you so interested in the guy?"
Seeing that, Twilight looked away with some annoyance.
"Note to self...quit while I'm ahead."
Turning back to Starlight, Twilight deliberately cleared her throat before continuing the conversation.
“So...did you see how Spike is a dog over there? That’s pretty odd...right?”
