Violet

Twilight opened her eyes and sat up in her bed. As a sigh escaped her lips, she wiped strands of hair from her face. Due to it being summer, the heat was becoming unbearable and sweating was a certainty. Twilight slid out of bed and stretched, only wearing a very thin white top and panties, both of which were damp with sweat. She sighed again and headed for the shower. After stripping and making sure the temperature was acceptable, she stepped in and let out her third sigh of the day as the cool water hit her. She closed her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair as she thought about what she was going to do today.

After her shower, she put on a white button-up shirt and black pants before she headed out into the village. The sun shown down on her and she raised her arm to shield her eyes from it. Villagers all passed her by as she began to make her way to the local library. When she entered, she made her way over to the librarian at the front desk.

"Morning, Poppy," she greeted.

The librarian smiled. "Morning, Twilight. Some heat, huh?"

Twilight chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, I could barely sleep."

“Got a bin full of returns from yesterday.”

“On it.”

Twilight rolled a cart of books over to a shelf and began to put them back where they belonged. She put one back, then another, then another. Her fourth sigh of the day came as Poppy walked over to check on her.

"Something wrong?"

Twilight let out a gasp and practically jumped. "Oh, gosh!"

"Sorry," Poppy chuckled. "Sorry. Lost in thought?"

Twilight nodded and rested her hands on the handle of the book bin. "I just... I like this job, and all, but..."

Poppy crossed her arms and leaned against the bookshelf. "But you wanna help people. I remember you mentioning that."

"The urge is strong. Like, really strong."

The librarian smiled. "Sounds like you got a dream of being a hero. Like the comics."

Twilight scoffed as she picked up a book and put it on the shelf. "That's ridiculous. But, maybe a cop. In the city."

"Manehattan? That's a big change. Do you have the money for it?"

"I've been saving for a few years now. I'd still need a temporary job when I got there, but I could manage. I just... haven't told my family yet. Besides, you need me here."

"Don't worry about me. And stop making excuses. If you have this much ambition, you should just do it. Otherwise, you'll never go."

Twilight put another book away. “You’re right. I’ll just… finish my shift,” she said as she reached for her another book.

Poppy gently grabbed her wrist and smiled. “Go.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really,” Poppy chuckled. “Just don’t forget about us when you’re some big hero, okay?”

Twilight smiled and went to hug her, but bumped into the cart instead. She pushed it aside and then hugged her friend. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” The two then broke the hug. “Now, go on. Get out of here.”

Twilight smiled and ran off.

Twilight sat in the window seat of a bus as she looked at the trees disappearing behind them. “Goodbye, Ponyville,” she muttered, verdure her phone rang. She pulled it out and smiled at the caller ID. She hit Answer and held it to her ear. “Hey, big bro.”

“Twily. Got your message. Really moving to the big city, huh?”

“Yeah. Big change, but I’m ready for it.”

“I hope you are. Manehattan is very different than Ponyville. Lots more crime, traffic, danger in general.”

“It’s so sweet you’re always looking out for me. But, seriously, I got this. And if it’s too much I’ll come right back.”

“Alright. Just be careful.”

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

“You could die.”

Twilight closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “Right. Well, thank you for the lovely pep talk.”

“I just don’t wanna see my sister’s face in the obituaries.”

“You won’t. And if it makes you feel any better, I’ll call. Let you know how I’m doing. Not every day, but… enough.”

Her brother sighed. “That sounds just fine. Now, be sure to also have fun. Enjoy yourself.”

Twilight chuckled. “I plan on it. Talk to ya later, Big Bro. Give Cadance a hug for me.”

“I will, Twily.”

“Buh-bye.”

“Bye, sis.”

Twilight hung up and leaned back in her seat, letting out her fifth sigh.

When the bus drove away, Twilight found herself with her suitcase, carry-on, and no sense of direction as cars honked all around her. She made her way down the sidewalk where she was told she could find hotel.

After a few minutes of not finding the hotel, she spotted an athletic woman wearing black pants, a white crop top, and cyan jacket. She also had the most amazing rainbow-colored hair. Currently, she was setting a bag of groceries in the back seat of her car when their eyes met. The athletic woman stood up and smiled.

“Just move here?”

Twilight nodded. “Yeah.”

“Headed for the Eclipse Hotel?”

“Yeah.”

The rainbow-haired woman chuckled. “It’s a bit of a walk. Climb in and I’ll take ya.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It’s where I’m staying, anyways.”

“Oh. Alright. Thanks.” She then made her way over to the car as the athletic woman opened the trunk. “How fortuitous.”

“Yeah, don’t get used to it,” Rainbow warned as Twilight loaded her luggage in the trunk. “This city will eat you up and make you its bitch.”

“I see…” Twilight muttered as she climbed into the passenger seat. Her eyes fell on the woman’s fit, well-toned, and exposed midsection as she dropped into the driver’s seat. When she noticed the rainbow-haired woman looking at her, she blushed a little and looked away. “So, how long you been here, uh…”

“Rainbow Dash. Going on four years now.” She then started up the car and began driving once the coast was clear. “And you?”

“Twilight Sparkle. I moved here from Ponyville.”

“From a village to a city, huh? That’s a big change.”

“I wanted to help people. Thought that… Maybe I could be a nurse, or a cop. Something. Anything.”

Rainbow smiled. “Noble. I work at a comic book store. We need the help if you feel like working there. At least, until you find what you’re looking for.”

Twilight nodded. “That’d be great, thanks. All of this happened so... suddenly.”

Rainbow eyed her. "Did you... reserve a room yet?"

"Nnnoooooo?"

Rainbow sighed. "Ah, well, then you most likely won't find a room. That place is always booked."

Twilight eyed her and then forcefully leaned back with a grunt. "Of course."

The driver eyed her with a small smile. "Tell you what. I like you. How about... if there are no more rooms, you can stay with me."

Twilight looked up at her. "Really?"

"Really. Although, there are a two things you should know."

"O-Of course," Twilight said with a beaming smile. "What is it?"

Rainbow held up her right index finger. "Firstly, there's only one bed, but it's big. Big enough for two without bumping into each other."

"Alright."

"Secondly," Rainbow continued as she held up two fingers. "I sleep naked."

"Oh. Alright. I can live with that."

"Good," Rainbow said before she put both hands on the wheel. "We're almost there."

Once at the hotel, Rainbow pulled up to the curb. "Alright, get your stuff out. I'll meet you inside after I park."

Twilight smiled and opened her door. “I… don’t know how to thank you.”

“I’m sure we’ll think of something,” Dash said as she opened the trunk and watched Twilight head around back. “But thank me later. Right now, I gotta park and get these groceries inside.”

Twilight pulled out her suitcase and carry-on bag. “Alright,” she said, before she closed the trunk and headed into the sidewalk.

“Back shortly,” Rainbow said as she drove off, turning down a side road nearby that headed around the the hotel.

Twilight let out her sixth sigh as she looked at the hotel before her, her new life about to begin.