Shadow Play: Aftermath

I smiled at the filly sitting across from me. I idly spinned a muffin on a plate in front of me.

"Are you okay, Ms. Glimmer?" Dinky asked sweetly as she ate some oatmeal. She gazed at me with innocent wide eyes that I couldn't help but fall in love with.

"Yeah, I'm good kiddo," I ruffled her mane and smiled even bigger. "Just exhausted is all. And please, call me Starlight."

"Sorry, Starlight. Are you having trouble sleeping?" She asked me. I gave a soft nod.

"It's been a rough past few days," I admitted. Dinky strained to reach my hoof with her own. Grumbling, she climbed on the table and patted my hoof.

"It's gonna get sorted out, whatever is bothering you," she reassured me. We both heard trotting on the stairs.

"Dinky Hooves! Please get off the table," Derpy chided. "It's not polite." Dinky hopped back into her seat with a sheepish look.

"Sorry mom," she said. "I was just trying to comfort Starlight." Derpy smiled at her daughter and patted her on the head.

"I understand. Just please refrain from standing on the table please." Derpy trotted into the kitchen. Dinky looked back at me.

"Why are you having trouble sleeping?"I gave a shrug.

"Bad dreams," I admitted and she nodded sagely.

"I have nightmares too," she leaned in conspiratorially to me. "Wanna know a secret?" I leaned towards her too and our noses bumped.

"What's that?" I asked in a hushed whisper.

"Find a pony who will protect you from the nightmares. Mommy says she'll fight off the scariest monster of my nightmares to protect me," Dinky told me in a whisper of her own. That was actually pretty good advice. Pretty adorable too and exactly what I'd expect Derpy to say. She's pretty protective of her daughter.

"Good advice," I smiled at the filly. "I'll work extra hard to find me a friend like that." Dinky nodded and took advantage of our noses touching, quickly nuzzling me. I melted at the gesture. This filly was adorable, Derpy was right last night. I returned the gesture with a smile.

"Derpy is right, you're the most adorable filly in all of Equestria," I announced and she blushed.

"Thank you, Starlight."

"No problem, kid." I bit into my muffin and my tastebuds exploded at the taste of wildberries. "Woah. This is spectacular."

"Thank you," Derpy smiled as she sat next to her daughter with a muffin of her own. She rolled her eyes at Dinky making a mess of her oatmeal as she ate. "I make them myself."

"That's incredible. You ever think of opening a bakery?" I asked as I eagerly took another bite. I was disappointed when Derpy shook her head.

"No, not really. I'm fine with delivering the mail. The money would be nice but it costs money to buy a building and all the equipment," Derpy admitted as she bit into a muffin that I suspected was blueberry. "I used to move furniture with my foalhood friend Raindrops but I got fired."

"Why's that?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I may or may not have accidentally dropped a piano on Twilight's head," she sheepishly admitted. I burst out laughing at that.

"No way," I struggled for air.

"Yes way," Derpy nodded. "And a vase. And an anvil. And a wagon." I turned red from laughing. "Breath, Starlight. It's funny now, but I was afraid at the time." I quickly got a hold of myself.

"Sorry for laughing," I hastily apologized. "That sucks. Sorry you got fired." Derpy waved a hoof dismissively.

"It's all good. Twilight forgive me and we can laugh about it now. I mainly felt bad because she was already hurt." Derpy looked at the clock and jumped. "Dinky, we gotta get you to school." She jumped off her chair and shot to the living room. She quickly returned with some beat up saddlebags. Dinky hopped to the ground and Derpy plopped them on her.

"Hugs!" Dinky shouted as she hugged Derpy. Derpy grinned and hugged her back.

"Have a good day at school, love. Have fun, learn a lot and don't take any wooden bits." Derpy nuzzled Dinky and she quickly returned it.

"Love you too, mom!" She darted out the door and shut it. I opened my mouth and prepared to say something when the door flung open. Dinky charged to me and flung her hooves around me.

"Hugs!" She shouted again and squeezed my neck. I never knew a filly could hug that strong. How she doesn't have a hugging related cutie mark, I will never know. I quickly returned the hug and smiled.

"Air, please Dinky. Air!" I barely managed out. She finally let me go and ran outside.

"Bye, Mom. Bye Starlight!" I barely managed to wave bye before she shut the door.

"You were right," I said as I faced Derpy. "She is a hugger. And adorable, too." Derpy smirked as she put on her mailmare hat and worn out saddlebags.

"That she is," Derpy agreed. "What are your plans for today?"

"I have no clue," I admitted. "Might go for a walk or something." That's probably a bad idea, might run into a group of ponies I want to avoid for the time being. Just long enough for me to sort my thoughts.

"Well have fun," Derpy trotted to the front door. "I have to get to work, my shift starts soon."

"Alright," I said. "Is there any chores you want me to do?" She gave me a confused look. "I'm staying here, might as well help out around your house."

"I don't make my guests help out around the house," Derpy gave a soft laugh. "But I suppose you can get us some strawberries for pancakes tomorrow morning." She rummaged with a hoof and pulled out a few bits. "Here's my last bits till I get paid." I stared in shock as she hoofed them to me. I pushed them back to her confusion.

"Keep them," I smiled. "I'll sort something else out." Derpy raised an eyebrow before shrugging and trotting outside. I shut the door and observed her flying away. I had an idea on how to get more bits for her but I had to go into enemy territory to get it. With a sigh I teleported into the castle and cast a spell so I was invisible. I carefully trotted around for a bit, searching for the room I wanted. I was slightly surprised when the castle was empty.

"Probably having fun with the Pillars," I grumbled. A sound behind me made me spin around. Okay, maybe the castle wasn't as empty as I thought. I held my breath and watched as Spike looked around.

"Huh. Weird," he scratched the back of his head. "Sounded like I just heard Starlight talking." He shrugged and walked away. "I'm hearing things." He walked down a different hallway and I let out my breath. I rolled my eyes when Spike poked his head back around the corner and stared right at where I was standing. I froze and made eye contact. I really hope he didn't see or smell me. He jumped as Twilight's pet owl flew past him.

"Owlowiscious! You startled me, don't ever do that again. Almost gave me a heart attack," he grumbled as he walked away again. I trotted to the room I needed and stepped inside. A bunch of bits caught my eye and I smiled. This wasn't technically theft, Twilight did say I could take bits whenever I needed them. And this counted as an emergency in my eyes. I picked up the large bag and shoved it into my saddlebags. I quickly teleported away to the market and canceled my invisibility spell.

"What the hay?" A golden mare rubbed her eyes. "I must be going crazy." I rolled my eyes and kept trotting till I found the stall I wanted.

"One pack of strawberries, please." I pushed twelve bits across the counter. The pegasus mare counted it out and pushed me aside a pretty good looking large box of them. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," the mare replied with a bored expression on her face. I quickly trotted off to the next stall and bought two new saddlebags.

"Thanks," I told her and the mare waved a hoof.

"No problem. Have a good day!" It's kinda scary how friendly this town is. Well, with some exceptions of course. I didn't like Cranky that much. He was a rude old donkey.

"I'm telling you dear," I froze when I heard a familiar voice. I quickly dove behind a flower stall and startled three mares behind it. "She couldn't have gotten far." I peeked my head around it and watched Rarity trotting past with Mistmane.

"She left last night," Mistmane pointed out. "She could be miles away from here by now." The pair faded into the distance and I let out a sigh of relief. I turned around and stared at the three mares. They looked less than happy.

"Thanks for letting me hid behind your flower stand," I cracked a smile.

"Why are you even hiding in the first place?" A pony I recognized as Daisy asked. I gave her a shrug.

"I'm practicing my skills in spying," I explained with a bored expression.

"You're stepping on a flower," Lily grumbled. "Kindly get off." While I understand I was stepping on the thing she sold, I did not appreciate the attitude.

"How about you watch your tone?" I snapped.

"Well you shouldn't even be back here," she shot back. I rolled my eyes and looked around before hopping out from behind the stall.

"There. I'm out from behind the stall. Are you happy?" I demanded.

"Yes," she groaned and facehoofed.

"Do you want a flower?" Roseluck quickly intervened with a smile. She was probably my favorite out of the sisters. Really friendly mare. I shrugged and pointed a hoof at a few white roses.

"Those will be fine," I reached out and Daisy smacked my hoof away. I glowered at her and she shrank back.

"Sorry," Daisy mumbled. "We don't want our customers to get their own flowers. We prefer to do everything for them. Helps our reputation as a friendly flower seller." Lily nodded with a grin.

"Oh okay," I mumbled as I placed a few bits on the counter. Roseluck carefully put the flowers in my saddlebags. She waved as I trotted away.

"Have a good day, Starlight!" I froze and stared at her.

"How do you know my name?" I demanded as I looked around to make sure no one else had heard it. They thankfully didn't. Roseluck smiled at me.

"Everypony here knows you. I believe you're the first student Twilight has taken on."

"Plus you brainwashed a village of ponies," Lily mumbled and my ears flattened against my head. Roseluck shoved a hoof into her sisters mouth.

"Ignore her," Roseluck glared at Lily. "She doesn't think before she speaks." I rolled my eyes.

"Fair enough," I grumbled. "It's been nice seeing you, I need to get back to Derpy's." Roseluck raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you mean the castle?" Oh fuck. I really shouldn't have let that slip.

"Yeah," I gave a nervous laugh and rubbed my head. "The castle right." I took off running.

"She's acting weird," Daisy announced.

"Agreed," Lily mumbled as she shoved Roselucks hoof out of her mouth. "Did you really need to put your entire hoof in my mouth? It tasted like dirt."

"Yes, yes I did," Roseluck sighed as she straightened a flower.

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I placed the roses in the center of the table with a smile. They really brightened up the dull room. I levitated the strawberries to the fridge and carefully shut it. I set the new saddlebags I bought for Derpy and Dinky aside. The front door opened and a yellow pegasus floated in.

"Uhm, hello?" I asked nervously. "Who are you?"

"I'm Raindrops," she inspected me. "Who are you?"

"Starlight Glimmer. I'm staying with Derpy for a bit."

"Oh. Pleasure to meet you," she smiled at me. "Derpy was right behind me but I kinda flew too fast for to hear her tell me anything about this." The mare in question trotted in the room and shut the door.

"Oh you two already met I see," Derpy hung her hat up. "Good."

"Hey Derpy," I smiled. She quickly hugged me and Raindrops at the same time.

"Hi." I struggled to get air and based on Raindrops expression, so was she. Derpy quickly let us go and we fell on the floor gasping. Now I know where Dinky got her strong hugging ability from. After I got a few breaths in me, I pointed a shaky hoof to the saddlebags I bought in the corner.

"I noticed you and Dinkys saddlebags were a bit old so I bought you two new ones," I mumbled and Derpy stared at them.

"You didn't have to do that," she smiled. I gave a shrug.

"You're letting me stay here for free. The least I could do was return the gesture." Derpy bounded over to me and I braced myself for another round of hugging. She lifted me up and squeezed. I'm pretty sure I heard a popping sound. I thought she was strong when hugging two mares. She's even stronger when hugging just one.

"Air Derpy please," I strained to get the words out and she let me go. Raindrops covered her mouth with a hoof and snorted, laughing. I shakily stood up and fixed my mane.

"Raindrops will be staying for dinner," Derpy told me. "Why don't you two go to the living room and talk to one another?" I shrugged and we trotted to the sofa. Before either of us could speak, the front door swung open.

"Uh oh," I grinned. "Prepare yourself, something adorable comes this way." Dinky shot to me and hugged me. I was getting an awful lot of hugs recently. "Are you okay?"

"Ponies made fun of me for having oatmeal all over my muzzle. I'm sad," Dinky mumbled into my fur. I looked at Raindrops and she shrugged, mouthing the words talk to her. I awkwardly rubbed her back.

"Well, what did the teacher do?" I asked.

"Ms. Cheerilee gave Rumble a warning."

"No other form of punishment?" I asked in surprise. If I did that when I was a filly, I'd have been in detention for a week. Don't even get me started on what my parents would say when I got home.

"Nah, she did say detention was next." I frowned at that.

"Where can I find Cheerilee?"

Cheerilee sighed as she brought a bowl of soup to her living room. She was exhausted after teaching a class full of loud rowdy students.

"Hello Cheerilee," I greeted coolly as I relaxed in the chair. She jumped and stared at me.

"How did you get in my house?" She demanded. "How did you even know where I lived?" I rolled my eyes.

"A friend told me. Took a lot of convincing, but she did it." I stared her in the eyes.

"What can I do for you?" She hesitantly asked.

"I'm here about Dinky," I maintained eye contact. "Heard she had a issue today."

"Ah yes. The Rumble incident, I talked to his brother. " I nodded slowly.

"Yes. The Rumble incident. And what did his brother say?" Cheerilee nervously pawed at the ground.

"That his brother wouldn't do something like that." I sighed in frustration.

"What's your biggest fear?" I suddenly asked.

"Uhm heights. Why?" I teleported us away to the highest point on Mount Neighalaya, dangling Cheerilee over the edge. She gave a terrified scream and her eyes went wide. "Take me home, now! Please!"

"After you agree to give Rumble detention for what he said to Dinky. She didn't even tell us all what he said, but it was bad enough for her to cry. She's a damn good filly and deserves respect."

"I will!" Cheerilee screamed. "Get me out of here, please!" I pulled her back from the edge and dropped her back on the snow. She curled up shivering.

"I hope we don't end up here again. If we do, I'm dropping you and will catch you at the last second," I said calmly. I wasn't actually going to do that, taking advantage of her fear like this was as far as I was going to go. I did feel kinda bad for it but I needed to get the point across that I wasn't playing. Derpy would kill me for this if she found out.

"Okay," she glared at me. "I'm so scared right now. Please, can we take me home?" I nodded and we were back in her living room. I quickly levitated a cup of hot chocolate in front of the mare and a new bowl of soup.

"Eat," I said gently. "Your body needs to warm up." She stared at me in confusion.

"You were just threatening to drop me off a mountain. Why are you so nice now?" Cheerilee asked incredulously.

"I'm not a mean pony or a monster," I admitted. "I do have standards." She nervously sipped some of her soup.

"Makes sense," Cheerilee admitted as she drank more of her soup. "Thank you for not killing me."

"You're welcome," I stared at the mare as she drank some of her chocolate. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm scared right now." Cheerilee raised a confused eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Social interaction scares me. I'm not used to being friendly or making friends often," I admitted. "Even after defeating Chrysalis, I still have a small amount of anxiety about it." Cheerilee patted the cushion next to her.

"Sit," she instructed. I complied after a moment of hesitation. "While you did just threaten to kill me, I'm not gonna just let you leave without at least alleviating some of your fear."

"Uh, okay?"

"You're gonna come here every weekend for coffee. We are going to talk about everything under the sun. And then hopefully your anxiety will be one hundred percent gone," Cheerilee smiled at me. How did she go from terrified to whatever this was in a matter of minutes?

"I can do that," I finally said. "I'm sorry for dangling you over the edge, by the way."

"While it was probably the most scariest thing I've ever done, I probably deserved it," she admitted.

"Nah. It was cruel of me to take advantage of your fear like that," I mumbled.

"Yes it was," Cheerilee agreed. "I'm a forgiving pony though. You have to be, being a teacher and all for how long I've been one."

"Fair," I admitted. "I've never been a teacher before. I am good with fillies though."

"You should come give a lesson at the school," Cheerilee offered. "I'm sure Dinky would pick you for Parent Day."

"I'm not her parent though," I pointed out. Cheerilee smirked and gave me a wink.

"I could always make an exception," she tapped her chin with a hoof. "If you wanted of course. Plus, she's been talking about you all day, so she obviously adores you."

"Up to Derpy," I decided. "I don't want to intrude and hurt her feelings. Wait, she's been talking about me?" That surprised me, I've only know the filly for a few hours.

"Okay," Cheerilee shrugged. "I hate to kick you out, but I really need to sleep. And yes, she has."

""Fascinating. Why are you so forgiving after I took advantage of your fears?" I demanded.

"I'm a forgiving pony, like I said. Besides, I know you wouldn't have actually dropped me. Twilight would have been mad at you." I nodded at that. I completely forgot about what the others would think. I stood up and trotted to her door.

"Sorry again." I trotted out the house back to Derpy's .

Twilight paced back and forth in the room with the bits in it.

"She had to have come back and get money. But for what?" She wondered out loud. "Maybe she got a house far from here or an apartment."

"I doubt it," Rainbow disagreed. "I overheard Roseluck talking to Golden Harvest about Starlight hiding at her flower stand this afternoon." Twilight's eyes lit up.

"So she's still in town then. But where?" Twilight wondered.

"Correction, she was in town. She could have left after the flower stand thing," Rainbow pointed out.

"Good point," Twilight sighed and stared up at the ceiling. A blue hoof rested on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, we will find her," Rainbow reassured Twilight confidently. "And then we can fix things."

"I hope so, Rainbow. I hope so."