The Student of Luna, Princess of the Night

Letters of the Students: The First Set

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

The more time I spend here, the more easier it gets, it seems. Princess Luna is very supportive of me now, but even after so many months, I still feel as though I could do so much better in her eyes. She congratulates me on my jobs well done, is supportive, and sometimes even shows a tiny bit of joy that I’m her pupil.

Her way are tough to follow. I don’t see how you put up with all these books, researching everything, and studying day in and day out. I mean, Twilight, my eyes currently have bags under them from the three books I just finished reading tonight. Right when I but the second one down, I was all ready to go to bed. Then, Luna came in with yet another one.

I was tempted to ask her if I could go to bed, but decided it best to keep going. I thought I’d drop on that final page, not even bother with walking all the way up here and writing this, but we hadn’t talking in a while. Last letter was, what? A week or so ago? I knew you’d missed these, as I was starting to miss them, too. So, I put forth some extra strength. It feels like I’m doing that a lot lately.

Seriously, though, beginner’s training was tedious for Trixie, but she prevailed, and passed! Luna was so proud of her once it was all complete, but she didn’t come back to the library and meet me all night after the big test. She and I have been having an odd friendship, not like the kind with you. It’s more of a furtive attraction to one another that she enjoys fighting most of the time.

Such a mare she is, though. The princess of the night and moon, formerly Nightmare Moon… is actually really sweet, and a bit shy on occasions. Not being from this time, her ways are almost foalish. I don’t mean to be blatantly forward, but it’s like a little filly that’s developed a crush for me. I know it, she knows it, but if I address the situation forwardly, she’ll deny it predictably.

Until this, Trixie supposes she’s been lying to herself. She’s been pushing back her own emotions much like how she was before you forgave her. With this new concept of ‘friendship’, something Trixie once liked to consider fabled, she realizes that perhaps it’s not that bad of a thing, and she supposes she hardly ever tried it out because it seemed so frivolous in the past.

Curse Trixie’s old ways of being stuck up and relentlessly boasting for attention, and thank you, Twilight Sparkle, for helping her discover this new acquaintance. Never before had Trixie thought herself to get as close she is now with a princess! Oh, and she’s funny when she wants to be, friendly, invites me to watch the frequent meteor showers in her room…

Keeps giving me shivers how close we are already, Twilight! Did it take you this long to become this close with the cyan, rainbow haired one? You two are a lot like me and Luna. We’re together most of the time, reading with each other, getting excited whenever one of us does something great, and much like how the rainbow one likes to tease you, Luna does the same, if only subconsciously, I think.

Since Trixie is starting to fall asleep as she writes this, she must end this with a thank you for recommending me, and a question. In your honest, focused opinion, do you, Twilight Sparkle, think I should pursue a deeper friendship with Princess Luna, or should she back off before Trixie gets herself into serious trouble?

~Trixie

Dear Trixie,

I think you should ‘pursue’ whatever you think you’ll like more, though you can only do that because unlike me and Princess Celestia, you and Princess Luna have only just met a few months ago. I’m using me and Celestia as an example, mind you. It’s entirely possibly that had I been introduced to Celestia much like you were to Luna, I cannot reject the possibility of me feeling the same way as you do with your teacher.

Know now, Trixie, that I have hardly any desire for Princess Celestia… Hardly. I’d be lying if I said she doesn’t strike me as incredibly approachable, but we met years ago when I was just a little filly. She’s a mother figure to me, if anything. However, you and Luna are friends, and maybe, with time, you and her could become much more than that. It depends on how you go about… I don’t wanna say it, but I will. It depends on how you flirt with her.

Now, I’ve known Luna since she was still Nightmare Moon, and the only time I’ve ever had the serious pleasure of sitting down with her and talking coyly was on Nightmare Night. The instances with me being in the palace consisted of a simple nod to say hello, but that’s about it. In the short version, I shamefully don’t know how you should go about alluring her. I say ‘shamefully’ because I’d really like to help! You two, in my opinion, would make an amazingly cute couple.

Other than sounding creepy, I’m also going to try and sound overjoyed that you passed your first exam! That’s great! So, now you can cast my kind of spells, but at lower levels. You’re going to improve, though, with time. Just keep your chin up, and you’ll be just as good as me someday! Well, maybe not as good, but definitely rivaling others. As more training hits you in the face, just remember, it’ll all be worth it once you’re ready to work yourself up to master rank.

What sort of friend would I be if I said advanced rank? I believe in you, Trixie! I can see you making your own magic spells, creating enchantments for all sorts of uses, and I know you see yourself doing the same exact thing! With Luna by your side, you can become as strong, and as magically powerful as Star Swirl the Bearded himself. You just have to try, and never give up, but enough with the pep talk, right?

Some days, you’re going to feel worn down, and incomplete. That’s normal, and you can fight your way through that drought. Shoot, I wish somepony would’ve warned me about that when I was training with Princess Celestia. It came out of nowhere, and before I could even finish ‘Forbidden Curiosities of Magic’, I suddenly felt weak, and needed a break. Take my advice, Trixie. Around intermediate levels of magic, if you’re unable to continue, ask for a break.

Or, you could push yourself through it. Whichever floats your boat, I suppose. Still, I wouldn’t mind seeing you again for a few days, and that’s all you’d need is about a week to recuperate your abilities, and then, you’ll be set to sail! Luna’s very understanding, and will probably be okay with this. If not, just let me speak to her. Maybe I can persuade her into going more easy on you, but just a bit. After all, we don’t want your horn to shrivel up while on vacation.

Recently, the tree branches have been growing more and more. I think that spell you and I tried together way back before you left has finally started to blossom, and kick in. Spike woke up this morning in his basket. Now, it would’ve been normal had he been on solid ground. Instead, his bed was suspended in the air by a branch. He fell down and got a pretty nasty scar on his arm. He’ll be fine, though.

Right now, what I need from you is the book on photosynthesis enchanting. It’s the green one with ivy for a binder. Send it my way if you have it. See, my copy has been unfortunately gobbled up by the fireplace acting as the stump’s mouth. Just have Celestia send it, please. Last time Luna magically delivered a package for me, it appeared in a giant, regal box that nearly choked poor Spike to death. He’s been through enough recently already, so please, keep Luna from killing my dragon, I guess is what I’m trying to say.

You’ve still got a lot to learn, Trixie. But, you know? You’re already… like, fifteen percent of the way there? Yeah, that sounds accurate. Keep reading, practicing magic, and socializing with Luna. Believe it or not, just like Celestia, she’s probably got some secret spells of her own you might be more than interested in. As for myself, I have a dragon to heal, some attacking branches to trim, and a book to wait for. Sorry about making you stay up a bit longer to go pester Celestia. I’d letter her myself, but Spike says he can only get one note through at this time. Until later, continue to have some fun with this, and give Luna my regards.

~Twilight Sparkle

Author's Note

There is a secret message hidden within this chapter. Can you figure out what it is? If so, and you find it, and you feel compelled to say what it is in the comments, use spoilers to do so. Thank you, and hope you've enjoyed the read thus far!