Hope Dawning

Chapter 3. Sunrise
Intro

In the years following that fateful birthday, a cold distance formed between my family and I.

This was not a distance fueled by fear or anger, it was created by Mr. Dawn as a way to save face. If he was never seen in public with his wayward daughter or drunkard son, who could blame him when they made mistakes?

I left Appleloosa when I turned 16, funding my own trip to canterlot to enroll in a school there for less fortunate ponies who wanted to further their education.

Luna’s School For Gifted Ponies. Less known than her sisters school, princess Luna’s school was a night school.

I figured since my cutie mark was of the moon and stars, I was supposed to study the night. and although I enjoyed my studies, I was never especially gifted in them. Eventually I drifted into studying ponies. It seemed natural for me to study those around me, and soon I was studying psychology.

Not a popular subject, Psychology was far more simplistic, closer to Sociology than true Psychology, but I studied it best I could, learning of those around me and the interaction of the mind.

This led to meeting the greatest friend I have ever had.

Story

Hope had been studying late this night. It was almost time for the sunrise and she was still engrossed in her book; “Theories of Friendship.” By a Twilight Sparkle.

To Hope, the book seemed more a journal or biography than a textbook, but the lessons to be gleaned from its pages were still valuable.

The click and slam of a door opening then being shut shook her out of an interesting chapter on parties and how they created the perfect environment in which to study psychologically damaged ponies.

“Hello?” She called out, only silence replying.
Hope closed her book and tossed it into her pack, before heading for the door. Out of the corner of her eye she glimpsed a dark blue tail whipping around a corner.

Stopping more due to curiosity than anything else, Hope wondered if she hadn’t imagined it, but decided to take a look.

The corner the blue tail had slipped past was a hallway which led to a series of stairs. Hope followed the stairs up and up, each door she came across was locked.

Finally, at the top of the tower, the last door sat cracked open.

Hope slipped through, leaving it open since she didn’t want to get locked out.

On the edge of the roof sat a familiar pegasus, Clover Star.

Clover was the daughter of a big shot stunt flier named Soarin. Clover was a dark green pegasus with a dark blue almost inky black mane and tail.

She took great pride in her dad’s reputation, but her own prospects of flight were dashed when she had discovered as a filly that her wing muscles were too small to control her wings.

Without the bands that held them against her sides, they would drag uselessly against the ground.

So it worried Hope especially that the bands were still in place, as Clover stood on the edge of the tenth floor of the library tower.

“Hey there.” Hope said gently, moving up next to the silent mare.

“Stars sure are pretty up here.” She said, still trying to get Clover to talk.

The Pegasus didn’t look at Hope, her eyes fixed on the ground far below them.

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t like looking at the sky.” Clover finally replied.

Hope looked down at the paving stones far below.

“You know, I was looking forward to studying with you this weekend. You going to be able to make it?” Hope asked calmly, even as her heart pounded in her chest.

“I don’t think so, Hope.” Clover didn’t move her gaze from the ground below.

“Well thats a shame. You’re the only one who has ever been able to keep up with me when I get all sciency.” she said, getting a small pebble from the roof behind her and dropping it off the building, listening to it tap against the stones below and clatter to a stop several feet away from its landing point.

“If you’re here to stop me, it’s too late. I’ve made up my mind.” Clover said determinedly.

“I’m not here to stop you.” Hope said quietly. “I wouldn’t try to stop you, but if you let me, I would love to delay you for a bit. Get in one more chat with you. It’d mean alot to me Clover.”

Clover was taken aback by this approach, and turned, still sitting on the ledge but facing Hope.

“So, I’ve been reading this book, its really great.” She said, pulling out the tome and laying it down.

“It says here that parties are a great way to meet friends, sadly I don’t have any streamers but I’ve got an apple and a bottle of water.” she said as she doled out the meager food.

Clover took her portion and started eating it with a confused expression on her face.

“Also, I am hungry.” Hope said sheepishly.

Clover smiled a little. Like a door cracking open, Hope felt a warmth begin to spread between them.

They told stories and shared opinions on books, fashion, and Colts well past sunrise, Hope started nodding off, and Clover suggested they go home and get some sleep.

And just like that, the ledge was forgotten.

As Clover dropped Hope off at her dorm room, Hope put a hoof on the green mare’s shoulder. “Hey...” she said sleepily.

Clover hesitated. “Yeah?”

“I will always listen Clover. I will always be there to listen to anypony who needs to talk to somepony.” She said with a sad smile.

Clover’s smile was warmer, and they hugged before Clover left.