“Thank harmony that’s over.” I mumbled under my breath while leaving the school grounds with only my guards for company as we all trotted towards the castle.

The entire day had been rough, I couldn’t concentrate on my schoolwork and I could tell most of the other students couldn’t either. Spring had just started so everypony was shedding their winter coats. For the average adult pony it wasn’t so bad, but for growing foals it was uncomfortable and add my own alicorn puberty into the mix and I found the situation downright awful. My shedding had gotten so bad that the first time I sat at the back of the class only half listening to the lectures.

My ruminating about my awful day while on my way towards the castle was interrupted by the need to scratch yet another itch. Stepping aside from the main road I used my magic on a partially fluffy spot on my chest, forcing some more winter fur to fall upon the ground. Once finished, I discreetly cleaned the discarded fluff and dumped it into a nearby bin using magic, as was the polite thing to do, before proceeding to adjust some of my feathers and continue walking. I feel bad for ponies that can’t use magic to quickly clean up after themselves. I’m glad my guards are at least discreet, though they are probably shedding as well under all that armor.

Shedding wasn’t anything uncommon during spring but like most adolescents, we made mountains out of a molehills. Granted, shedding was worse for growing ponies than adults. Fillies that couldn’t keep their coats clean and well brushed were always looked down upon by their peers and Ironically, the reverse was true for colts. Scruffy colts got disturbing amounts of attention from fillies wanting to help them brush. I’m glad Twi and Trixie haven’t been like that.

Fillies in Canterlot also had to deal with becoming ‘uncouth’ task most were part of nobles’ herds. I had already seen a few young fillies being scolded by their parents for letting their shedding get so bad in public. As if they aren’t shedding themselves.

Sighing in relief as I reached the castle gates I then gave a cheeky grin to the guards. “Hey ladies I’m going to practice my homework really quick.” Before any of them could respond I lit my horn and teleported into an area of the castle garden just outside my room.

After catching my breath from the impromptu teleportation, that I really was supposed to be practicing as homework, I spread my wings and started flapping up towards my balcony. Upon opening the sliding door I froze at the disapproving look directed my way.

“Dawn, what have I said about leaving your guards behind?” Celestia gave a stern frown. Alicia, who was riding on her mother’s back gave a quiet ‘ohh somepony’s in trouble’ before getting her own look.

“Sorry, it’s just I really needed to hurry and I am supposed to be practicing my teleports.” I scuffed my hoof on the floor.

Celestia shook her head and raised her eyebrow. “And what has you in such a rush it’s more important than your safety?”

Giving her a deadpanned look I ruffled my wings against my barrel and more winter fluff fell from my sides. “It’s so itchy.”

Celestia had to keep herself from laughing as enough fluff eventually fell at my hooves to make a very noticeable pile. “I see.” Her smile turned warm and understanding. “Twilight is dealing with much the same thing. Go ahead and give yourself a good brushing. I’ll see you at dinner when you’re done. Shining and Cadence are here tonight as well.”

“Thanks for the warning.” I grumbled. Before I could magically clean up all my fur Alicia had the brilliant idea to jump into the small pile and send it flying everywhere.

After a moment of stunned silence both Celestia and I broke out laughing as some of it stuck under her chin giving her a beard.

“Great now someling else needs a bath.” Celestia eventually spoke up while brushing Alicia off with a wing before giving it a flick to clear it of fur. Rolling her eyes, “I’ll send a maid in to clean this up.”

“Thanks.” I called out as they left my room.

Making my way towards the dining hall for dinner after a nice long brushing and bath, I let out a sudden grunt, nearly tripping over my hooves as somepony jumps on my back. “What the?” I look back and roll my eyes at who it is.

“Dawn~.” Star Song dragged out my name with a disappointed whine then wrapped her hooves around my neck. “Where have you been?”

I hadn’t been hanging out with her recently as Twilight didn’t like her much and I typically spent the little bit of free time I had with Twilight or Trixie. Even then I often found myself ‘hunted’ down as Star Song was now the only Thestral still living in the castle. The other thestral mares had either returned home or found new lives in the city. The ones that stayed had all found herds and stallions with more ‘exotic’ preferences.

“I just got back to the castle from school.” I tried to keep a friendly attitude but her constant aggressive advances were starting to become irritating. “Shouldn’t you be asleep still anyway?” It wasn’t quite sunset yet.

“The night is too quiet around here with everypony else asleep.” She huffed, still riding on my back.

“Star Song, get off Dawn!” Twilight had just entered the same hallway and was running over as she yelled. I felt a pull around my neck as Twilight tried pulling Star off my back with her magic. “How many times have we already told you. You can’t join our herd.”

“Oh fine.” Star stuck her tongue out but relented by letting go of my neck. This was a bad idea as Twilight was still pulling upwards and she was sent flying with an ‘eep’. Good thing the ceiling is so tall.

“She didn’t hurt you did she?” Twilight fussed while looking me over.

“Oh he’s fine.” Star landed on my other side. “He has earth pony strength.” She emphasized by poking my foreleg.

“That still doesn’t give you the right to keep jumping on his back.” Twilight stomped.

“Right, that’s your spot. Or would it be the other way around?” Star tapped her chin playfully as Twilight blushed.

I once again rolled my eyes, gave Twilight a nuzzle to reboot her brain, then attempted to change the subject. “So where’s Spike?”

“Oh, he’s at my parent’s house. I didn’t want him to be alone since school started back up.” She took the subject change in stride and we all got moving towards dinner. “They also wanted to spoil their grandson.”

“You know Twilight.” Star had decided not to let us change the conversation for long. “With you and Trixie going to Ponyville this year Dawn will be all alone with me for the ‘season’.”

Twilight almost tripped as her face went red again. Before either could escalate I put a wing over Twilight’s back. “Enough teasing her Star. I’ll be staying in my room for the season. Alone.”

“We’ll see.” She purred and trotted ahead of us with her tail swishing happily.

“I really don’t like that filly.” Twilight huffed and nuzzled herself under my wing.

“There you two are. I was about to send a guard looking for you. Hopefully you two weren’t doing anything you shouldn’t?” Celestia joked as we entered the dining room. Cadence gave us a knowing smile while Shining coughed uncomfortably at our affectionate display. I still had one wing over Twilight’s back, one that I quickly retracted under his disapproving gaze. I really don’t want Shining mad for our next training session.

“What?” Twilight looked around nervously which only made it look like Celestia was correct. “No.”

“She was joking Twi.” I gave her a bump and sat down at the table.

Celestia just tittered while Imago whispered something in her ear. This Celestia is definitely different with her love bug around. As I got comfortable I noticed Star wasn’t at the table but didn’t ask about it.

“So Twilight, excited for your trip to Ponyville in a few weeks?” Cadence asked while dancing around her actual question. “And you’re really not going Dawn?”

“Cadence!” Shining hissed under his breath.

“What? It’s professional curiosity as her ‘practically’ older sister.” Cadence puffed up.

I just laughed while grabbing some food. “No, not until we’re all properly herded. Which it’s still a bit early for. Don’t you think?” Not that I would really mind at this point but I have to be a proper gentlecolt.

“I guess that’s true. I’m just so happy Twilight found her special somepony. I was really worried she would end up with a book or something.” Cadence joked.

“Hay!” Twilight pouted and we all laughed.

“Cadence should you really be teasing her like that? I bet you had a hard time finding a colt to match your standards.” Imago winked while cuddled up with Celestia.

“Ug, you have no idea.” Cadence gave Shining a grateful look.

We spent the rest of dinner listening to Cadence complaining about nobles who tried courting her, fillies and colts.

Star Song sat alone in one of the lunar towers looking at the stars. Ponies typically weren’t allowed in Luna’s part of the castle but the thestrals had been given an exception.

“Maybe it’s about time I head back home if Dawn and his herd won’t let me join.” She spoke to herself, laid down with her chin on the cold stone, and closed her eyes.

“Now why would you do that my child?” Star quickly sat up and looked around for the owner of the new voice. “You’re right where you should be.”

“Who’s there?” Star nervously asked, still unable to see who was speaking.

“No need to worry my sweet night pony. I can help you get what you desire.” Star let out a silent scream as she was enveloped by a shadow. Moments later she awoke in a cold sweat and shook her head.

“Just a dream.” Star rubbed the side of her head with her wings and made her way back into the castle.

Author's Note

Sorry for the delay, writers block strikes again.