Day One
My sister Sonata says keeping a diary with me will make this whole thing easier. I won’t have anypony to talk to while I’m at the castle, and outside guests are rarely permitted. Princess Celestia herself is coming to greet me and escort me back to the castle. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I’ve had ponies stop and stare at me in the marketplace, their hushed whispers and skittish glances at me don’t go unnoticed. Beneath the nervousness there is a twinge of excitement, I suppose. I’ll be able to meet Princess Luna.
Princess Luna has been my favorite princess since I was a filly. Her beauty, kindness, and sweetness. The stories of Nightmare Moon never frightened me. I always hoped one day I’d be the one to rescue the night princess from her moonlit exile.
I’m rambling, forgive me.
“Villanelle!” calls my sister, her voice strained high with excitement. “Villanelle, hurry downstairs! Oh my stars, it’s her!” I can hear my sister Sonata trotting back and forth downstairs. “Villanelle!”
With a shaky sigh, I close my diary and gently put it inside my suitcase. There is no way the little amount I’m taking with me will last a whole year. I have all the necessities, right?
“Villanelle Lyric, I’m going to drag you downstairs by the horn if you don’t--”
Before she could finish her threat, I teleported myself and my suitcase downstairs in a flash of violet light. Sonata didn’t flinch at my sudden appearance. She drew the blinds closed, her blue eyes wide with excitement. “She’s coming down the street. Do you have everything? Clothing, toothbrush, diary?”
“Along with all three volumes of Venus Greyscale’s Study of Infinity. I’m well prepared, Sonata, don’t fret.”
“I’m not fretting, I’m only making sure.” She snuck a glance through the curtains again, her breath catching in her throat. “Oh my, she is quite radiant up close.” She turned away from the window, giving me a somber look. “And... you’re sure this is what you want, Villanelle? We’ve never been separated this long. A whole year.”
I hugged my sister closely, nesting my cheek against her mane. “This is what I want. I know this will be hard for us, but this is an opportunity I can’t miss.”
We sat quietly for a second, unsure of what to say. We’d see each other again in a year, this wasn’t goodbye for forever. “I love you.” I whispered. I pulled along my suitcase with the assist of magic and opened the door. “I’ll see you again soon, Sonata.”
She stood in the middle of our living room, seeming very small and very, very alone.
“Goodbye, Villanelle.”
I couldn’t bear to say goodbye. I closed the door behind me.
Princess Celestia was everything I’d expect she would be. Tall, beautiful, intimidating. Her mane was an array of different colors. As I dragged myself to her chariot, she seemed to notice my nervousness. I bowed my head low once I reached her. “Y-Your highness,” I stammered. Nice going, Villanelle. “My name is Vi--”
“Villanelle Lyric,” Celestia concluded. She smiled gently and gracefully, her eyes full of a warm and comforting light I didn’t expect from her. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
She’s heard about me? How? What’s there to hear?
“O-Oh...” I muttered, dipping my head. “I-I...um...” I suddenly felt aware of the many eyes on myself and Princess Celestia. It wasn’t like we were on the outskirts of town. Sonata and I lived quite close to the marketplace, where there were constantly ponies milling about. I could hear their whispers, their gazes felt like targets. I swallowed hard.
Celestia chuckled softly. "I've heard you're one of the most skilled writers in Canterlot, which is very high praise."
My ears perked up. "Oh, hardly!" I assured her. "I-I doubt I'm the most skilled writer on this street, much less all of Canterlot. M-My sister Sonata, she's a published author. She's taught me all I know."
Celestia smiled once again. What was it about her smile that made me feel so... calm? So warm, and... and peaceful?
"Well, it's time to see if she taught you well." She moved to the other side of the chariot, allowing me a space to sit. My entire body shivered. This was really it. I was really on my way to the Canterlot Castle. I hoisted my suitcase onto the chariot, and then climbed aboard. Without needing instruction, the royal guards flapped their wings and began to take off.
Dear Diary
Saying goodbye is the hardest part of leaving home. Maybe if I don't say goodbye, it's like I never really leave. Once I arrive to the castle, Celestia said she'll have a member of the royal guard show me my room. It was apparently the room of their niece, Princess Cadance, before she took over the Crystal Empire. I'll be staying in Princess Cadance's room. The room of a princess. I can hardly sit still. I wonder what my friends back home will be doing. I wonder if I'll have the chance to visit them...
"What are you writing, my little pony?" Celestia inquired. Her tone wasn't accusing, more so curious. My cheeks were flushed and I swallowed hard.
"A-A diary, your highness. My sister Sonata suggested I bring it along with me." I stopped myself before I could add 'to keep myself from getting lonely'. I would be spending a year with the most loved, respected, and feared princesses in all of Equestria. Anypony would be honored to be in my place. I shouldn't be ungrateful.
Celestia gave me an understanding smile. "I'd imagine you might be very lonely in the castle, as myself and my sister will be unable attend to you for most of your stay. However, there are people in the castle who eagerly await your arrival. My sister, for instance, cannot wait to meet you. She's been very interested in your dreams for a while." She winked playfully and my face flushed again.
"O-Oh, my, I-I..." My mouth felt like cotton. I shifted my gaze downward, trying my hardest to remember what I'd been dreaming about.
The flight to the castle was brief in reality, but it felt very very long. The royal guards descended at the entrance to the castle, allowing Celesia and I to climb off. I was taken aback when a unicorn guard from inside came rushing out to take my suitcase. He probably expected it to be heavier, because he almost sent it flying with his magic. He seemed a bit surprised to find it was so light, but made no comment on it. He walked back inside with my bag close in tow.
I looked up at Celestia. She was radiant in the evening sun, which was such a blase term for her beauty. It seemed no words would be enough to describe her. She followed the guard inside, I stayed close on her heels, and took a deep breath as the doors opened with a ferocious groan. I didn't look back at the shrinking image of my hometown, and would not remember my sister's somber face until the next morning.
Author's Note
This happens to be my first serious MLPFiM fanfiction. The unicorn on the cover is my Oc Villanelle Lyric. Credits for the base go to the storyboard artists/Lauren Faust, however the recolor of the base and all other elements of the artwork belong to me. I appreciate you reading my story! More to come.
