Author's Note

Sry for the delay all. Hope you enjoy.

Ch38. Last Winter lesson.

The last few weeks of school had been unusually hectic with my new schedule. Why would they make us come back after fall break for such a short period of time? Logically I knew it was because they had to squeeze as much learning as they could out, between all the holidays and such, in a year. Not all ponies went to year round schools like CSGU, if they went to higher level schools at all, and time off was a much more valuable thing to Equestrians at large. At least my first few weekends with Celestia and Twilight have been fun.

Twilight and I still had one more meeting with Celestia, I assumed it was just a farewell get together before the holidays.

Regular classes were already out and most of the older students had already gone home for the holidays on their own while quite a few of the younger students had yet to be picked up by family members so were still staying so the dorms were relatively empty.

When I finally made my way outside after breakfast my breath caught when I saw the one thing I had personally always loved above presents or anything else during the winter. “Snow!”

I ran outside through the dormitory’s door like the foal I was and bounded through the powdered wonderland on this frozen morning. I had never seen snow quite so puffy in either lifetime. They really throw out all the stops for Canterlot and it’s wonderful. The weather team did great.

I picked up a hoof full of the powdered snowflakes and just marveled at how it didn’t really feel cold or damp. I then thought back to the tour of the weather factory and how the Pegasi hoof-crafted so many snowflakes to keep winter under control. This is even better than in Sires Hollow, they probably use way more control flakes here in the capital.

Once i was done marveling at the snow I spotted a couple of the colts and dozens of fillies from the dorms having a magical snowball fight in the open fields and found myself extremely impressed that they had fully detailed snow forts. It didn’t take long before a stray snowball hit me on the flank and I joined the opposing team for my vengeance.

“Cover that side.” One of my teammates yelled as everypony hurled snowballs with magic and hooves.

“We need more snow balls!” A random filly yelled while her friend supplied more.

“Victory will be ours.” I yelled out flaring my hidden wings and chucking a massive snowball using my magic at the opposing fort like a madman. A few of my team laughed once it hit causing an enemy wall to collapse. I noticed some of my friends on the other team who were now buried but wasn’t going to hold back. It’s not like the snowballs hurt, with how fluffy the snow is, through our natural coats.

Once everypony became tired and the forts were in shambles a truce was declared and everypony went off to do their own thing, such as going inside to warm up. I decided to build a snow pony which was a challenge even with magic.

“Hey Dawn.” Starlight had snuck up behind me causing my latest attempt to collapse. “Oh, sorry.” She rubbed the back of her neck.

“It’s fine Starlight. I still can’t get it to look like a real pony when forming the legs.” I gave her a friendly nuzzle before getting tackled into the snow by a laughing Trixie. The filly was super cold and had decided hugging me to warm up was her best option.

“Trixie why are you so cold?” I playfully tried and failed to push her off me.

“Trixie was one of the ponies you buried in our snow fort so I demand you warm me up.” She answered while Starlight just rolled her eyes. I lit my horn and wrapped us both in a mild warming spell causing her to start purring. “Much better, Trixie appreciates it.”

“You’re welcome Trixie. Are you both ready for the holidays?” I asked while Trixie rolled off me and back onto her hooves.

“Yep. Dad should be picking me up later today you should say hi.” Starlight happily replied.

“Ah, I actually have one last lesson with the Princess and Twilight later.” I apologized.

Starlight looked hurt for a moment then shook her head. “At least I’ll see you more over break. Dad said we can visit Ponyville and your new family this year.”

“Really, that’s great!” I gave her a friendly nuzzle. “What about you Trixie any big plans?”

“Trixie will be helping her family put on a few shows as we travel around.” Small fireworks erupted from her horn as she posed.

“That should be fun. Your magic tricks have really been improving.” She blushed at the compliment.

“Yes, they have. Trixie’s magic still isn’t as good as her sire’s though.” She kicked a clump of snow.

“Anyway Dawn we had best get packed up before our parents come to get us. See you in Ponyville.” Starlight dragged Trixie away as I got back to working on my snow pony.

I shivered as I slowly made my way into my small bathroom and started filling the bath while relieving myself. Once finished, I turned off the taps and sank myself into the warm water of the tub and let out a content sigh as my chills melted away. So good after being outside all morning.

I undid the spell on my wings to let the warmth soak into them as well before I began brushing them with a Wet Feather brush held in my magic that Celestia had gifted me. As the brush smoothed out my feathers I shivered at the sensation. Wings are so sensitive but it’s so refreshing. Since I left them invisible and Intangible almost all the time I had been neglecting to care for them despite my new instincts. More than a few times I had caught myself trying to nibble the new appendages which probably looked strange to outsiders considering only I could see them. At least I kept them hidden so far.

When I had finished the right wing and then the left I set the brush aside and washed my mane, tail, and fur. Draining the now dirty bath water I turned the shower on and rinsed all the soap off and shook like a dog before drying myself with magic. wish I could soak like that every day but it takes so long with fur.

Taking a nice bath as a pony was an hour long process with extra time now that I had wings. “Speaking of let’s see here. Celestia gave me a book on solo preening.” I grabbed the short book in my magic and gave it a quick read before getting to work. It wasn’t that different than helping somepony else so I just let my new instincts guide me as I straightened the few out of place feathers and used my muzzle to apply my natural oils secreted near the joints. Not as gross as I feared and It smells kind of like moms wings. Ponies definitely smelled way better than humans, which is a blessing considering our enhanced noses.

When I was fully dried, preened, and applied fresh oils, I re-applied the spell to my wings and made my way down to the dorms main level. Plenty of the other colts were hanging around to avoid the cold in the common area which I bypassed in favor of lunch.

“Hello food.” I set down my tray across from sunburst who was reading a book while halfheartedly eating a sandwich.

“Talking to yourself isn’t a good sign Dawn.” He joked and adjusted his glasses without looking my way before setting down his book. “Have fun outside with the fillies?”

“Yeah, the snow in Canterlot is so much better than back home, I mean Sires Hollow. Heh, still getting used to the change.” I joked. “How did you know Starlight and Trixie were out playing though?” I tilted my head.

“Oh, I didn’t. I was just referring to how you’re one of the few colts who bothered going out. Best be careful not to get marked as a Janefilly.” He picked his book back up.

I ignored his comment and found myself going back for seconds at the lunch line after quickly devouring my first order. ’Janefilly’, really? What an odd saying also Yay… Alicorn hunger.

Once I finished Sunburst and I played a few rounds of checkers while chatting before it was time for me to head towards the castle.

“Good afternoon Balanced Dawn.” Celestia greeted when I was lead into the room by Feather Duster. I had slowly been learning the names of the attendants around the castle through the armor made it difficult to do the same for the guards.

“Hi Princess.” I hopped up onto my favorite cushion that contained a real cloud.

“What no calling me by name today?” She tittered.

“Nah I wouldn’t want another lecture from Twilight.” I joked. The filly in question had arrived first today and was reading a thick book with spike resting at her side.

Her ears turned my way at the mention of her name and she spoke up. “Well I wouldn’t have to remind you on proper princess protocol if you remembered.”

“Nice alliteration Twilight.” I clapped my hooves as she huffed. Celestia beamed while watching us banter.

“Well now while I’m glad you both are getting along would you like to get started on today’s lesson?” She smiled. Twilight nodded enthusiastically while putting down her book.

Guess I was wrong about just hanging out. The disappointment must have shown on my face since she asked. “Something wrong Dawn?”

“Oh, not really I just… wasn’t expecting a lesson today was all?” I shrugged.

Twilight looked confused. “What else would we be doing with the Princess?”

“I don’t know Twilight, just hanging out maybe, since it’s almost Hearths Warming.” I huffed. I loved the lessons and learning new things but I could admit I wasn’t quite as studious as Twilight who needed information constantly.

“Well no need to worry today’s ‘lesson’ is just a refresher about the history of the holiday along with a fun little spell.” She lit her horn and motes of light that looked like snow began to fall around the room that disappeared once it touched something.

“Fascinating light spell.” Twilight analyzed.

“It’s beautiful Celestia.” I held out my tongue then shivered when I got a little shock by the light touching it, similar to a 9v battery.

Twilight looked my way and shook her head while Celestia giggled.

“You shouldn’t do that.” Twilight chastised. She’s still becoming like the Twilight from before the Elements.

“Well then you two should we get started?” Celestia asked before diving straight into a story about how the holiday was founded after the Windigos were banished.

The history went much more in depth than I remembered from the show however when it came to death or anything darker those topics were still downplayed. Twilight of course ate the story up verbatim while I pondered what may have actually happened during the conflicts. I momentarily thought about asking for the missing details than thought better about it.

After her story was finished Celestia then began showing us the ‘Snowlight’ spell as she called it. She did not however give us the complete spell and instead wanted us to try figuring it out ourselves first.

“How can you already do it?” Twilight looked at the falling lights that were accompanied by my lit horn after about thirty minutes of practice.

“You’re overthinking it Twilight. It’s just like the light spell we learned in class but split up and less powerful.” I released the spell and the few last molts of light went out.

“Very well done Dawn. Twilight, would you like the spell now or would you like to try figuring it out still?” She gave a warm smile.

“It’s okay princess, I think I understand it now.” Twilight quickly lit her horn brightly and preformed the spell. Lights did indeed begin falling around the room however they were not the calm molts like snow instead they all burned like bright candles. One touched my hidden wing giving me a shock while dispelling the Magic hiding them. Luckily only Celestia noticed before I could reapply the concealment as Twilight was busy panicking. After a light hit Spike’s tail and shocked him as well, the poor frightened dragon woke up crying.

“Oh, I’m so sorry spike.” She held out her hooves as the little baby dragon cried and she looked unsure of herself. “I didn’t mean to do it.”

Celestia looked worried for the two while having a mental debate on if she should intervene as the panic continued. These two, always overthinking things… I rolled my eyes as I stepped next to Twilight and carefully picked Spike up as he cried before gently rocking him with magic.

“There there little guy. Did mommy accidentally get you with that mean old light spell?” The two just watched as spike stopped crying then began to babble at me.

“I know right she really should be more careful. You’re mom doesn’t quite know her own strength.” I nodded along as if having a conversation with him while Twilight’s ears pinned back with a strange mixture of hurt and pride from the comment.

“However it was an accident so think you can forgive her?” I held spike up in front of Twilight and he tried reaching for her. Twilight hugged the baby dragon while apologizing and nuzzling his head. “See all better.” I gave Twilight a small nuzzle all while I could see Celestia watching with a small smile from the corner of my eye.

“Well done.” Celestia’s voice reached my ear, with her lit horn I inferred she only spoke to me somehow.

“Thanks Dawn.” Twilight smiled.

Once everything had calmed down Twilight got back to practicing while I created lights for spike to play with, he would happily laugh every time he caught one in his claws. Time passed slowly after that yet before any of us noticed it was time for dinner.

“Princess shouldn’t these young ones get back to the dorms?” Feather asked after reminding us all of the time or that she had been in the room the whole time.

“Not to worry. I figured these two could stay the night in the castle, if they wanted.” Celestia hummed.

“Yes please.” We both replied before Celestia wrapped us in her wings and led us all towards the dining hall.