Author's Note

*UPDATE AT THE END OF THE A/N*
6/29/18 Update(unrelated to above): Fixed a reference to age and something else I forgot.

Hello again, thank you once again for taking the time to read my story!

I am thrilled that there has been so much interest thus far into my little work(even if the like/dislike bar does not show it), and I hope that this chapter did not kill off your interest!

I do want to say two things though:
-If you do like the story, please hit the thumbs up button, so that others may find their way over here, and not be deterred by the dislikes.
-If you dislike the story and think I should not quit my day job, feel free to press that thumbs down button, but please tell me the reason as to why, so that I may improve as an author. I want to write the best material I can, and I want to see this story succeed where my others have been put on indefinite hiatuses.

In any case, I pray you all have a blessed one, and please provide any comments, questions, and/or concerns in the comments below, and I will happily respond to them!

UPDATE: So, hi guys. If anyone is actually wondering, I have not forgotten about this story, simply been stuck in a rut without the time to try to get out of said rut. However, given the free time I currently possess, I will attempt to figure out some way to deliver a new chapter. The updates I put in here were minor, but kind of important for later:

1. Professor Scrolls is actually the question guy, which would make a lot more sense.
2. Raven is introduced as having a sword, as all of the ponies at the academy carry around weapons in the case of an invasion, the specifics of which depending on their specialty.

I hope you will excuse my rut, and will bear with me as I figure out a way to deliver to you guys more of this little tale of mine.

Dawn of a new night

After an extensive time in his studies, pondering what to do about and how to train the outsider he has been given as his next assignment..

He achieved nothing.

So, when he went to sleep after the debriefing, he was thrilled for the coming day.

Thrilled enough to look at the tantalizing ground from his room.

Nevertheless, the ground did not achieve a new friend, and he went to bed, bringing him to the next night, where he shall begin his new mission.

As he arrives to the meeting grounds, the main courtyard designed for the assignments of ponies to their fates upon graduation, alongside used to separate ponies into groups for classes and whatnot, he hears one of the biggest yawns he had heard in quite a while.

“I have a sneaking suspicion I am aware of who you are, Madame Yawnbark,” Raven calls out, startling the poor pegasus as they both enter the square conveniently at the same time.

“Y-yes sir, you probably do,” Holly replies, looking on at the one she was informed about, who will be her tutor.

“I would usually forego introductory babble when it is unnecessary, but perhaps we should, both to break the ice and clear the air. That sound good?” He inquires in greeting.

“Yes sir,” She responds.

“Very good. First off, I am Raven, Special Tutor of the gems that the Headmaster and/or the Crown find, usually within these walls. Secondly, you can drop the sir, makes me feel old. On that note, speak your name, and any questions you may have,” He explains.

“I..am Holly Leaf, f-from Manehatten, s-..er..uh..” She fumbles with her words a bit. “Anyway..I am h-here due to-” She tries to explain.

“I am aware of your story, outsider, so you need not trouble yourself with recounting it. Also, stop your hesitation, I am not going to kill you, barely even harm you,” He interjects.

“O-oh, okay,” She says, trying to straighten her posture a bit with a yawn. “Well, question-wise, I only r-really have three. The first one is, why do you wear that Fedora?” She asks.

“Simple. It is traditional, and I think it looks good,” He says.

“Okay..” She states. “The second one is, what will your relation to me be during this..uh..process?” She inquires.

“I see that her royal majesty and our wonderful headmaster,” He says sarcastically. “are not very good explainers. Simply put, it is my job to ensure that you learn everything that Sunbutt deems necessary for ponies to know, even those of our Academy, while teaching you things actually important, while helping to both discover and capitalize on the potential within you, whatever said potential could be,” He explains.

“I s-see. One l-last question..i-if I may..” She states, stuttering again.

“Spit it out, cadet!” He exclaims, getting annoyed.

“D-do you..hate me?” She asks, looking away. At this inquiry, Raven opens his mouth then closes it, not really having the words for the mare standing before him, looking like but a foal due to her height and behavior, his annoyance rushing out of him. To most ponies, they would melt at simply the sight of her, yet Raven is usually not so deterred by such.

Then why was he finding it so hard to completely say what was on his mind?

“..No,” He finally says. “I do not hate you, I simply do not care for outsiders, which you are. This Academy has stood as one pure from the influences of the outside, so to even bring in someone from the outside beyond the first couple of years they are alive is to spit in the face of the legacy that has been built up. Your sudden and unprecedented arrival is not something I care for. That is all,” He states.

“Oh..” She says, looking back with a frown. “I..understand..” She replies.

“Be that as it may,” He continues. “I am under orders to help you out, and my personal feelings matter little if any in that regard. So, at least until you graduate, should you do so, I will do whatever is in my power to make sure you survive and prosper. As much as those two get on my nerves, they would not have brought you in, certainly not to be trained under me, if there was no reason for it. Thus, I am willing to set aside those feelings, on one condition,” He says.

“W-what?” She asks.

“Stop with your bloody hesitation and stuttering! Here is your first lesson: You will die if you do not grow a bloody backbone, so stop it already!” He yells at her, brandishing the sword constantly kept on his pony and pointing it towards her, making her snap to attention.

“Yes sir!” She responds.

“Again with the sir..” Raven laments, chuckling and placing back the sword. “Anyway, did either of the two give you any information on your schedule or anything?” He asks.

“Yes, and a map. They said you would give me the grand tour of the whole place,” Holly affirms.

“..buck.”

After his happy reply to the prospective tour, the two moved to the first relevant spot in her schedule, the Equestrian Studies class that she will be attending, in relative silence.

“So, this will be-” Raven starts, before looking back to notice Holly struggling to keep up. “Are you quite sure you are prepared to be here? You look like you just ran a marathon,” He continues.

“Shut..up,” Holly says as she finally gets to him, panting.

“Finally, some backbone! I guess all it took was a good snapping at you. Good to know that you are a quick learner,” He says with a smile.

“Buck..you,” She spits back, but smiling as well.

“Carnal embracing is not authorized between us, my dear, so I sadly cannot oblige your request,” He states, to her subsequent blush.

“Come on! You know I did not mean it like that,” She says with an awkward giggle.

“Obviously not, but you were asking for it,” He agrees. “In any case, this is Professor Scroll’s domain, where he stuffs your mind with worthless facts and figures about the outsiders, alongside the interesting information about some of the Academy operations throughout time, which is all you really need to keep in that head of yours after tests from here. You should not have too many problems in this class, only a lot of questions about the outside, so do not worry too much about this one. I will put in word with him and the rest to tell me if I need to get involved however,” He continues in explanation.

“Professor Scroll..what an..obvious name,” She comments.

“The decisions for the ponies and name assignments are beyond my pay grade, but I would be willing to wager that the ones running this operation simply are incredibly uncreative, and should never write a story or otherwise, much less be part of the naming department. Hell, they named me Raven solely because of my colors, though I suppose I should be grateful for it, as it has a nice ring,” He explains. “In any case, luckily for you, classes are not too far away from each other on one’s schedule, since the school was designed around the birth group system. The trotting will be good for you regardless though,” He continues.

“I..cannot really disagree with that,” She concedes.

“Good to hear. Let us trot and talk, and run through the rest of these classes a little more quickly,” He says as he begins trotting towards the science class.

“Professor Atom, do not even say it, teaches this one. He is a bit of a nutcase, as you will come to learn, and will likely be ecstatic at somepony new. However, do not expect any favoritism, and be prepared to be pressed for any knowledge you may or may not have regarding science,” He explains, as they head towards the Equestrian Language class.

“Professor Pen is a rather quiet mare, so you may get along well with her. It is here that you will likely be able to bond with your fellows, due to her teaching style being more of giving you basics and having you group together to fulfill the various tasks that she has in store that day. Nothing else worthwhile to note,” He says, heading towards the final primary class, Mathematics.

“Professor Numbers..okay, these names are really ridiculous now that I am thinking about them. The one who comes up with these names should be fired and replaced. Anyway, she is a no-nonsense teacher, similar to me with our first encounter. A tip from the wise, do not make her any angrier at you than she will already be, due to being an outsider. That goes with your fellows as well, as I am not sure how they will react to your arrival,” He finishes with the academic classes, before they start heading towards the Dining Hall.

“Here is where you get food, all of which is paid for by the Crown. You can either find a group of friends or sit alone like I did, but I am sure that her majesty and the headmaster would rather you do the former, so long as it does not hinder you any,” He states, as they head towards the training area near their original location, Holly somehow keeping up fine, albeit panting.

“It is here that there is an inter-group training in various elements of combat, both offensive and defensive, medical and otherwise. The specifics will be told to you during this stage, so do not worry about that,” He says. “Once this is complete, you will remain on standby here until I come for you, as part of my duties is to get you combat-ready within the short time you will be here. Do you have any questions?” He asks.

“Is there a nap time anywhere in the schedule?” She inquires, to a facehoof from Raven.

“You will either get used to the night hours, or at the very least will figure out quickly why you should. Best to not have the latter occur, I say,” He says. “Anyway, that completes the tour. Since there is nothing else you are really required to do, I suppose the final stop is my room,” He continues, beginning to trot before pausing. “You were told about your living arrangements, right?” He asks.

“You mean I am not staying where I did yesterday?” She inquires, confused, leading to Raven groaning.

“I feel like those two wanted me to speak every single important thing to you instead of telling you earlier in my absence,” He says. “To answer your question, no, you will not be. You will be staying in my room, so I can keep my eye on you and monitor..you..” He continues, trailing off at the shocked expression on Holly’s face. “I know, me too. Do not fret, I have taken the best measures I know how to give you your due privacy and all of that jazz, so all shall be well, hopefully,” He finishes.

“I-if you say so..” She says, uncertain.

“Come on now, you make me sound like a monster or something! If it makes you feel any better, as I have said earlier, those two made it expressly clear what would happen if I tried any-” He tries to reassure her.

“I am not concerned about that,” She surprisingly replies. “I am just..that is not something you usually do, from what I have heard at least, and..uh..” She trails off.

“Look, whatever the reason is for your hesitance, I have a feeling it is tied to your past, and I will not delve into those matters with you. All I ask is that you give me at least a little bit of trust here. After all, if I am to help you, you have to trust that I will do as I say,” He says.

“Alright,” She agrees, trying to relax herself. “Lead the way,” She continues, as they begin their trot to the housing building.

“Welcome to my paradise, occupancy of two! Your bed is on the right side here, and mine is on the left. The bathroom is through that door there, and the rest is self-explanatory. What is mine is yours, just use as need-be,” He says, opting for the short-and-sweet method of explanation.

“Alright, thank you. It looks..nice, though you did not have to go to such an extent with preparation..” She says, referencing the curtains around the bed, a homemade and rather haphazard locking mechanism for the shower, and various other small things such as blinders on the desk for anything she writes.

“If it means giving you at least some extra comfort during your stay here, then I am willing to do it. After all, hell week begins tomorrow, both class-wise and training-wise, so perhaps the brownie points I scored here will help you not to hate me later,” He states with a smirk.

“Perhaps,” She agrees with a giggle. “Seriously though, thank you, especially considering how you did not really want me..” She continues, looking away again.

“Stop doing that. Honestly, you are better off being here than in the outsider’s world anyway, so that is a good thing. Besides, as I said before, I am not acting on my feelings, I am acting on orders, so no matter how I feel about the whole thing, it will do little to how I treat and regard you as one under my tutelage. So quit your shyness, stop your self-deprecation, and let us continue from this point on as mentee and mentor/tutor, preparing you for whatever situation brought you here. Speaking of, do not talk about whatever it is you know about said situation that you heard from the headmaster or Luna, as it is even beyond my pay-grade to know anything you know about it, so it will definitely be beyond anypony else’s in the Academy,” He responds.

“I will do so, and I understand completely,” She affirms.

“Good. Let us get going on a good hoof then, deal?” He asks, extending a hoof.

“Deal,” She replies, shaking his hoof. “One last question though,” She says.

“And that is?” He asks.

“When is it time to sleep?” She asks with a yawn.

“..you have a lot to get used to,” Raven says, facehoofing again, and groaning at his plight. Or rather, as it is becoming in his mind, only that of an inconvenience.

He does not like that change.

Not at all.