Dawn's new day.

I was not expecting to have another small existential crisis first thing this Saturday morning, even though the structure is similar, Ponies don’t speak or write in English!

I had learned an interesting fact while composing a letter home and speaking to myself. During the lengthy process of writing with my horn and speaking in the sing/song tones of Ponish I switched to my hoof to rest my horn, when I did, the writing suddenly looked different and I found myself speaking English. My hoof instinctively writes is in English while my horn is in Ponish…What in Tartrus?

Once I was over the initial shock I found I could switch between the two languages with some concentration and even sang a song in both, Ponish is so much easier on the ears when singing.

Getting back to my letter, I scratched out the English words and finished it off before sealing it up and smiled to myself, mom and dam won’t care, probably just think it’s from one of those old books I read with the others.

After dropping my letter off with the outgoing post I found myself mostly alone to loaf in a comfortable chair in the common room, I had decided to wait a bit longer before eating. Most of the colts probably slept in, Maybe I should wake up Sunburst. Before I could head up to his room though a royal guards' mare showed up and scanned the room.

When she spotted me, "Excuse me. Are you Balanced Dawn?"

I tilted my head, "yeah."

"Excellent, the princess has asked me to escort you up to the castle for your noon 'appointment' I know its a bit early but she thought you also might like to join her for breakfast and a tour of the castle. You don't have to go now if you had plans with friends as I'll wait."

"Really?" I was intrigued and after a short internal debate I got up and, "Just let me grab my saddle bags from my room and we can head out, breakfast and a tour sounds fun."

I quickly packed my bags for the day, emptied out a bit of refuse that had accumulated during the week and strapped them to my sides. "Ready when you are." She gave me a nod and we headed out into the morning drizzle that was following last night's storm.

Walking next to the much larger Earth pony guard through the morning mist was both intimidating and comforting. I stuck close to her as we headed out into the damp streets of Canterlot and eventually asked, "Is your armor really enchanted to make you all look the same or is that your natural look?"

She gave a knowing smile and lifted her helmet a bit causing her coat colors to shift until she put it back on, "Most foals always ask that same question and the answer is yes. It's to protect the privacy of the guard members and," She paused for dramatic effect and looked my way, "to trick our enemies so they dont know how many of us there are."

"That, makes a lot of sense," I nodded and we slipped back into silence while approaching the gates.

If I hadn't mentally prepared myself I would have been Awe struck, the castle was nothing like the one from the show in my memories, it was SO much better. Walking the Alicorn sized marble halls and actually getting to see the stained glass windows in person was breathtaking. My guide gave a short chuckle when I stopped in front of one depicting the Equestrian flag with and artists rendition of Celestia and Luna.

"Find a favorite?" She asked as I looked over the scene.

"Yeah, it will be nice to eventually see her in pony." I got back up and continued following, her thinking I was talking about Celestia.

"Ah Balanced Dawn, good morning," Celestia happily said while sipping some tea upon her cushion. We had finally made it to brunch, it being held in her sitting room instead of the dining hall. She turned towards the guard, "You may go now." The guard gave a courteous nod and left the room.

"Sorry If she woke you up early, I thought having brunch before we start the day would be best." She gave me a warm smile and motioned for me to join her.

"No worries Celestia," Her brow rose as I casually called her name and set down my saddle bags by the door. I then join her on the cushion and cuddle up close while looking over the spread. "This all looks delicious and I was already awake writing home plus, I haven't had breakfast yet so this is perfect."

"Oh? Well It is good that you are keeping in touch with your family, many students forget during the excitement of the first few weeks." I could tell she was looking down at me curiously but I was more focused on the blueberry muffin I had just magicked onto my plate.

"It has been a fairly exciting week with my friends," I replied with cheeks full of a now half devoured muffin.

"~~Sun~~-Dawn you shouldn't speak with your mouth full," She playfully admonished while using her magic to lift a napkin and wipe my face of crumbs, just like any mother would. She must have been surprised by her action because she quickly set it down earning a confused look from me.

Before I could say anything a Purple blur with an excited baby dragon on its back rushed into the room panting, "Sorry. I. Am. Late. Princess." She punctuated each word with a breath. She really needs to get in better shape, at least Spike had a fun ride. I took another bite of breakfast as she continued.

"I got lost on the way from my room. I'm still getting used to living at the castle and," She sat down without noticing me and set baby Spike on the table. Spike immediately crawled towards a plate of toast so I grabbed him and a slice with my magic then wrapped my forelegs around the baby dragon. Twilight was still to out of breath to notice.

"Well Hello there Spike, good to see you again little buddy." I whispered only to him and he gurgled back happily as I slowly fed him some toast. It's convenient dragons can eat solid food right away. Celestia glanced my way with a sparkle in her eye then back towards Twilight.

"And Spike kept me up late last night while trying to feed him since he kept just wanting to play and." A bit of her mane frizzled out of place.

Celestia tittered, "It is quite all right Twilight, You are right on time. Please just have some breakfast before we have our lessons today my student."

"Thank you princess," She grabbed some food and began eating with gusto.

I poked Celesta with my hoof and motioned for her to lean down, she did and I whispered, "how long do you think it will take for her to notice I'm here?"

She tapped her chin with a hoof, "Honestly I am curious how she hasn't already, I have never seen anypony quite so... focused."

Twilight, still oblivious to my presence, continued to talk to Celestia who joined back into that conversation. She is kind of adorkable I can see why the fans love her, I refocused on Spike who had just finished his toast.

Using my magic I brought over an apple, split it, and share a slice which we both happily eat. Once finished Spike then curled up between my legs. Dragons are really cute when small.

After having my fill I mimicked Spike and curled up pressing my back against Celestia's wing to get comfortable. She instinctually wrapped it around us both getting us out of Twilights line of sight as the two continued to chat while we dozed. My ears flicked when I eventually heard, "well now, should we get on with today's lesson?"

An excited Twilight said, "oh yes I brought plenty of study supplies, let me just grab Spike." I could hear Twilight looking for him as I grinned mischievously. She finally noticed I was in the room when she stepped around the table and spotted me curled up with Spike and Celestia.

"Wha? Dawn what are you doing here? When did you get here? Why do you have Spike? Why are you under the princesses wing?" She bombarded me with questions. Celestia also looked a bit confused As she lifted her wing to reveal us beneath it.

I lifted my head a bit to not wake the sleeping dragon, "In order? Celestia called me. Probably ten minutes before you. Because he is adorable and was hungry so I fed him. Lastly because her wings are super comfortable and it's kind of cold still from the rain so she draped it over me which reminded me of my mom."

She gasped and covered her muzzle after only picking up the first part, "Dawn don't just casually use the princess name like that."

I tilted my head and let my ears flop, "Why not, she's just a pony. Really warm and comfy to nap next to as well."

Twilight glowered at me then magicked Spike onto her back, still asleep. "Its. Not. Proper."

I stretched and then shrugged "meh." I gave Celestia a nuzzle and thanked her for the warm wing before I grabbed my saddle bags.

Celestia who was enjoying the exchange, "now Twilight. No need to get so worked up my student, I did indeed invite Dawn for brunch before his punishment today, you can't blame him for not noticing his presence." She teased the both of us.

My ears fell as I whined to play along, "Celes-tia why did you have to tell her why I'm here."

It was Twilights turn to tilt her head as she asked, "Punishment, why would brunch be punishment?"

"It's not," I quickly shifted attitudes and buffed a hoof on my chest, "I took care of some bullies hurting my friend."

"Dawn," Celestia chided, "What you did is not something a foal should be proud of, you could have really hurt those colts and your punishment is still incoming."

"ok...Mom," I couldn't help but tease the all powerful sun goddess as I nuzzled her leg. "I won't do it again," unless I catch them hurting my friends. She gave me a deadpan look as if reading my mind.

After a bit more conversation and a short walk through the castle, our group arrived at Celestia's study where she would be teaching Twilight one on one. I was brought along for the ride and for my 'punishment' I was told to work on my Schoolwork along with some other work she gave me and not speak unless spoken to. Instead of a punishment its more like she wants to keep me close, not that I mind.

As the hours passed Spike eventually woke up signaling it was time for a break. Once We had finished our afternoon meal we all got back to work. Rather they did, since I had finished mine but couldn't leave the room or join the conversation I decided to play foal sitter and keep Spike entertained.

When he eventually tired himself out I was about to get up explore the room when a guard entered sometime late afternoon.

"Princess," The guard approached and saluted her but was a bit nervous when passing over a scroll. The guard stood at attention while she read it over, with Twilight and I curiously watching.

She sighed, "Send the guard to try and recover what they can for her, if any of the nobles in the capital make a fuss remind them 'even minor nobles deserve that much.'"

"Yes princess," the guard gave a salute then left the room. Wonder what happened.

"Well my students," she focused back on us, "it looks like today will be ending early as I have some work to take care of. Dawn I will have a guard escort you back to the dorms and your punishment has been served. Perhaps next time you join us it will be under better circumstances." Next time?

Neither Twilight or I could ask any questions however as she quickly got up and left the room. We both shared a concerned look until my escort arrived to take me back to the dorms. I hope it wasn't anything too serious.