I was more than happy to be back in school. I had only missed a few days but if felt like ages after Just waiting around in my room the past few days.

“Dawn, Trixie is glad to see you are feeling better. The princess told us you were sick?” Trixie gave me a friendly nuzzle as she sat down with me in the school cafeteria.

Starlight gave me one as well before sitting on my other side. “You are feeling better right?” She had noticed my face was a bit red.

I shook my head to clear the remnants of my early heat. And to think I’ll still have to go through the normal season this year as well. “Yeah I’m fine, it wasn’t anything serious.”

“Trixie is glad. Thank you for the gift by the way.” She was wearing the charm I had made for her tied into her mane. “It was appreciated.”

“Yeah it’s really cute. Where did you get them?” Starlight poked at her own.

“Oh I actually made them while practicing with gems. They have a durability charm so shouldn’t break easily.” I was proud of fitting that bit of rune work in such a small space. I had been slowly practicing since I also wanted to eventually bring some more modern technology to Equis.

“Really? Impressive.” Starlight looked at her charm anew. “So, is Twilight back? I heard she was also sick.”

“Yeah but I haven’t seen her lately.” She had been avoiding me after apologizing for the nuzzling incident. I had said it was fine and even liked it which only made things worse between us.

“Strange, don’t you have a class together?” Trixie pointed out.

“Yeah but she’s been avoiding me I think.” I sighed.

“Why’s that, aren’t you friends now or something after becoming Celestia’s second student.” Starlight sounded a bit jealous about both facts.

”I’d really rather not embarrass her.” I tapped my hooves together.

“Oh come now. Tell us.” Trixie bumped my side.

“Oh fine.” I proceeded to tell the two what happened and they listened closely. “It’s honestly really funny after the fact.”

“That tramp!” Starlight slammed her hooves on the table which confused me a bit.

“Starlight you okay?” I turned towards Trixie who also had a sour look. “Trixie?”

“No. Twilight should know that…” I was surprised that she growled a bit while gritting her teeth. “Come on Trixie we have somepony to go talk to.”

“Starlight what’s got you so upset?” I could guess but didn’t want to make assumptions.

“Filly business.” Starlight and Trixie both got up and walked off leaving me to finish lunch alone but not before they both gave me a longer nuzzle than usual. Well that was different.

I shrugged it off and returned to eating, deciding it was better not to get involved just yet.

“Twilight Sparkle!” Starlight and Trixie had found Twilight hiding out in the library. It was normally where she went after quickly eating her lunch.

“Oh hey Starlight, Trixie what can I…” She set down her book.

“Stay away from Dawn.” Starlight’s hackles were raised and Trixie stood at her side supportively. “He told us what you did.”

“He did?” Twilight’s ears pinned back in embarrassment.

“Yes. How could you do that to a colt? Especially our colt?” Starlight motioned between herself then Trixie.

Twilight looked away and mumbled, “Well he’s not technically yours yet,” but Starlight heard her and looked shocked.

“Well, I’ve still known him longer.” She stomped her hoof. Trixie was shuffling awkwardly with how aggressive Starlight was acting.

“So what, and didn’t you like Sunburst? Hogging two colts is selfish.” Twilight had turned back and eyed her down after deciding to stick up for herself. She didn’t even really have a crush on Dawn it was all just hormones. At least I think it is.It isn’t.

“He doesn’t even really like fillies.” Starlight quickly covered her mouth with her hooves at the slip. “I didn’t say that.”

“Whatever. I have studying to do so can you leave me alone please.” Starlight and Trixie both stomped off after Twilight spoke. If this is how others act just because I got a bit closer to Dawn maybe I shouldn’t make friends.

Twilight buried herself back into her book, a small tear in one eye.

“That could have gone better.” Trixie eventually spoke up as they headed towards their next class. “Why didn’t you just invite her to join in on our efforts? Trixie thinks she would have made a nice addition.”

Starlight groaned. “I don’t know. I was just so upset with her and then seeing her casually reading after what she did to Dawn really set me off.”

“Was what she did really that bad? Dawn seamed just fine.” Trixie tilted her head.

“Yes! No. She just didn’t follow the rules. She should know we like Dawn and have dibs. The other fillies know it and would have asked us first.” Starlight huffed.

“Dibs?” Trixie giggled. “Dawn isn’t the last cookie Starlight. What about Lyra?”

“Oh, you know what I mean.” Starlight bumped her as the two headed into their next class. “And Lyra is a unique exception, if she’s even interested.”

“Hey Moon Dancer, Lyra.” I greeted them both after arriving at PE class. Everypony had their schedules altered somewhat this semester, after picking their classes, so I now had it after Lunch instead of before. When Sunburst had said a year I thought it was mandatory two semesters not the literal end of the year.

“Hey Dawn.” They said in unison. “Thanks for the nice gift but how did you and Pinkie get them under our tree?” Lyra finished by showing off her necklace.

“Trade secret, glad you’re both sticking with the class.” I laughed as we shared a friendly nuzzle. The class had grown smaller now that it wasn’t mandatory. “Did you get your gift Moonie?”

“Yes, I find it disturbing that you managed to drop off a book in my home under the tree.” She adjusted her glasses. “But considering it was a good book I forgive you.” She gave me an appreciative nod as she was more restrained when it came to physical contact.

“Alright everypony.” Our conversation was interrupted by Gale. “We will be starting with warmups then moving on to levitation exercises. Those of you looking to join the guard program gather up closer towards me.”

“Guard program?” I whispered to Lyra.

“Oh right you missed the explanation earlier this week. Most of the fillies taking this class only join because you get opportunities for joining the guard early and possibly skip out on basic Physical Training, if you pass the tests.” She explained as we preformed our leg stretches.

“So what about you two?” I was curious why either of them would take such a class.

“Well after what happened last year I figured it would help to stay in shape. Bonnie also said I should.” Lyra blushed.

“You showed me that a healthy mind includes a healthy body last semester.” Moon Dancer curtly answered. “And it has helped with my levitation so now I can hold more books.”

“Good reasons as any I guess. I just wanted to keep up with my siblings. They get plenty of exercise on the farm.” We finished stretching and moved onto running. This didn’t leave room for conversation but the three of us did naturally fall into formation. Always strange how we can do that. Like the choreographed dancing during heart songs.

After school ended I didn’t see any of my friends by the time I returned to the dorms. This normally wouldn’t have been unusual if it hadn’t been my first day back. I would think they’d all want to hang out.

“Oh hey Dawn.” I smiled as I was greeted by Sunburst in the dorm common room. “Want to play a round?” He pointed towards the checkers box.

“Sure.” I sat across from him at one of the tables to begin our game. “How have you been.”

“Very good. Thank you for the dice by the way. I don’t exactly play O&O but perhaps I now have a reason to learn.” Sunburst ended his latest turn.

“Oh sorry, I guess I just assumed you also played. My brother and I really enjoyed playing over break with a few other colts.” I ended one of my turns, it wasn’t looking good.

“No worries.” He finished by beating me at the game. “Good game.” We shared a hoof bump before heading towards the dining hall.

Imago was proudly looking at her four little cocoons. After the recent bout of love and lust in the castle they had gone through a sudden growth spurt, nothing she was worried about though.

Her children would now spend the next few months growing into their nymph forms and she would finally be able to begin teaching them how to transform after linking them to the hive mind properly and giving them names.

She had been debating on giving birth to more eggs but decided it would be best to wait for her first clutch to mature so they could watch over their siblings as she worked.

“Sleep well my children.” She left the cocoon chamber and locked it up tightly for safety.

Author's Note

Got a big bout of inspiration.

If any of you want, DM name Ideas for for the four little nymphs.
There’s the princess.
A den mother.
And two normal drones.