The Weight of a Feather

Her hooves thundered upon the wooden floor, burying the wave of her mother’s questions. Feathers detached from Feather Wisp's wings as she darted back and forth between her bedroom and the kitchen. Her mother picked up the stray feathers scattered on the ground, tenderly tucking them into her own mane.

“Fisp, I told you I’d prepare the house for your new friend. Why don’t you hang out in your room while I take care of things?” Aurora Wisp asked.

Feather Wisp trotted toward the far side of the kitchen and opened the pantry. She assessed the available snacks and brought them closer to the shelf's edge. Her mother let out a sigh and settled down at the kitchen table.

“I’m… surprised you made friends with a Unicorn. With all the drama between the three tribes nowadays, it’s a wonder they’d show up in Cloudsdale at all.”

Feather Wisp returned from the pantry, placing two boxes of fruity cereal bars on the kitchen table.

“I’ve never seen a Unicorn up close before yesterday, and she said she can help me with my flying problem,” Feather Wisp said.

“I’m glad to hear that somepony wants to help you, Fisp, but do you even know how this Unicorn is going to fix your situation?”

Feather Wisp settled into a kitchen chair beside her mother.

“I’m guessing she’s gonna teach me how to use flight magic. She sorta mentioned that it would help make my condition easier to deal with, but I didn’t get a chance to ask her more about it. That’s what today is for!”

Aurora Wisp studied the pale-colored Pegasus with a concerned expression.

“Fisp… I-”

Before Aurora Wisp could finish her sentence, the doorbell chimed, interrupting their conversation. Feather Wisp leaped out of her chair and dashed toward the front door.

“That’s gotta be her!”

Feather Wisp eagerly grasped the doorknob and swung the door wide open. Sunlight, tinged with a golden hue, flooded the entrance and cast a silhouette of the Unicorn on the welcome mat. Passersby Pegasi outside on the streets stared in bewilderment at the sight of a Unicorn in the suburban area of Cloudsdale. Aurora Wisp slowly made her way toward the front door, her steps filled with trepidation. Feather Wisp gestured for the Unicorn to enter the house, instructing her to remove her horseshoes and place them in the corner beside her own. The Unicorn's demeanor remained composed as she surveyed the interior of the home. From her mane, adorned with a blend of purple hues, to her neatly groomed tail, she exuded an air of elegance that captivated Feather Wisp's mother. Once the Unicorn had taken off her horseshoes, Feather Wisp introduced her to Aurora Wisp.

"Mom, meet Midnight Lavender. Midnight, this is my mom," Feather Wisp said, pointing to each of them in turn.

Midnight Lavender observed Aurora Wisp from head to hoof, her expression softening into a relaxed smile. Aurora Wisp cleared her throat before speaking.

“Nice to meet you, Midnight Lavender. You can just call me Aurora if you’d like. Would you like something to drink or eat?”

Midnight Lavender bowed her head toward Aurora Wisp.

“Nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Wisp. I’ll take a cup of tea if it isn’t too much trouble.”

Aurora Wisp nodded in agreement.

“Of course, I’ll start a pot right away. Fisp, is there anything you’d like?”

Feather Wisp pondered for a moment, scratching her head.

“I don’t usually drink it, but tea does sound nice...”

“Are you two going to play out in the backyard?” Aurora Wisp asked.

Feather Wisp's gaze shifted between her mother and Midnight Lavender, her freckled cheeks flushing with a reddish hue.

“Not play, Mom! We’re going to study and train.”

Midnight Lavender's smile transformed into a subtle grin.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I meant study and train in the backyard,” Aurora Wisp said.

“Mhm! Are you still going to that dinner party with your friends tonight?”

Aurora Wisp's gaze turned toward the calendar hanging in the kitchen, where a large, red circle was drawn around the third day of the month.

“Ah, I’m glad you brought that up. I almost forgot about it. I need to go get ready, Fisp. Dinner is slow cooking in the pot. It should be done in about forty minutes,” Aurora Wisp said, her attention shifting to the stove as she made some adjustments. “Are you two gonna be all right while I’m gone?”

Feather Wisp rolled her eyes in response.

“Yes, Mom. We’re adult ponies. We’ll be fine.”

Feather Wisp trotted off toward her bedroom, with Midnight Lavender following closely behind. A persistent grin adorned the Unicorn's face.

“Young adult ponies!” Feather Wisp’s mother said.

With a thud, the door to Feather Wisp's room closed. Aurora Wisp swiftly placed a tea kettle on the stove before hurrying into her own bedroom.

***

Feather Wisp retrieved various pieces of training equipment from her closet, while Midnight Lavender rummaged through the decorative saddlebags nearby. The Unicorn took notice of the numerous posters adorning Feather Wisp's bedroom walls and began reading aloud the names of the bands.

“Silvermane… Breaking Bronco… Stable Chomps. Interesting musical preferences.”

Feather Wisp let out a grunt of effort as she retrieved a pair of clip-on wing weights, which had been modified to half their original length.

“What can I say? I like what I like. What kind of music are you into?” Feather Wisp asked.

“Hmm... I enjoy orchestral pieces, operas, smooth jazz, and I do have a bit of a soft spot for punk rock, particularly when I’m feeling energetic. I’ve been fortunate enough to see Silvermane perform live at the Canterlot concert hall once.”

Feather Wisp's search for exercise equipment came to a sudden halt as she gasped, turning her head toward Midnight Lavender with an excited smile.

“You’ve seen them live? That’s awesome! Are they as good in concert as they are on their records?” Feather Wisp asked.

Midnight Lavender chuckled, amused by Feather Wisp's enthusiasm.

“I’d say they are. Have you ever been to a concert before?”

Feather Wisp shook her head.

“Nope. Mom never had the time to take me since she had to worry about getting me to school on time, cooking, cleaning, and all the other adult things.”

"What about your dad? I noticed the pictures on the wall next to the kitchen of you and him at the Cloudsdale derby," Midnight Lavender said.

“My dad? He’s been on tour a lot lately. Being a Captain in the Equestrian Guard comes with a lot of responsibilities. Especially nowadays.”

Midnight Lavender took a sip of tea from the cup that floated beside her.

“That’s understandable. It's not common for the guards at Princess Twilight's castle to have time off, except during major holidays."

“I can’t believe you’ve met the Princess. Is she as super smart and elegant as she seems? What am I saying, of course she is,” Feather Wisp said.

Midnight Lavender chuckled once again, her laughter filling the air.

“I didn’t really get a chance to talk to her. She and my dad were discussing business-related things. I was told to stay quiet and observe.”

“But you went to her school in Canterlot, didn’t you?” Feather Wisp asked.

A tinge of sadness appeared on Midnight Lavender's face.

“I did, for a time. But Princess Twilight had stopped teaching classes there by the time I started. She’s been so busy keeping the peace in Equestria, I doubt she would ever find time to step hoof inside that school again.”

Feather Wisp shifted her gaze toward the portrait of the Princess hanging in the corner next to her bed. Meanwhile, Midnight Lavender took a final sip from her teacup before placing it on a nearby desk. With a touch of her magic, she levitated her saddlebags and got ready to leave.

“Shall we head outside? It’s getting late.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Let me grab some of my things, then I’ll be- “

“You won’t need any of that stuff. Just an open mind and a desire to learn is all that is required,” Midnight Lavender said.

Feather Wisp glanced at the training equipment she had pulled out.

“Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

Midnight Lavender shrugged her shoulders as she opened the door and made her way toward the back of the house.

“I thought you could use a warmup,” Midnight Lavender said.

Feather Wisp's expression turned sour; her dissatisfaction evident.

“Heck of a way to do it.”

Feather Wisp trailed behind Midnight Lavender as they stepped through the back door. Pegasi, Griffins, and Hippogryphs soared in perfect formation across the skyline of Cloudsdale. The weather ponies completed their daily tasks and returned to the heart of the town, basking in the gentle glow of the settling sunlight. Feather Wisp's eyes fixated on Midnight Lavender as she descended onto the soft blue backyard.

“It’s pretty neat that Unicorns can walk around on clouds. Is that a hard spell to learn?” Feather Wisp asked.

Midnight Lavender set her saddlebags against a cluster of clouds that resembled decorative shrubs and turned to face Feather Wisp.

“Given that my family has been involved in Cloudsdale's affairs for generations, learning this spell has become mandatory.Personally, it wasn't too difficult for me to grasp, but some of my siblings struggled with it.”

Feather Wisp descended into the backyard, leaving delicate imprints of her hooves upon the fluffy clouds beneath her.

“All right, Feather Wisp, are you ready to get started?” Midnight Lavender asked.

Feather Wisp nodded eagerly, brimming with excitement.

“Of course! But I do have one question.”

“Yes?” Midnight Lavender asked.

“Aren’t you gonna study your magic first?”

Midnight Lavender reached into her saddlebags and retrieved a notebook and a pen. A soft purple glow enveloped the two objects.

“We’ll be doing both. You are going to learn how to use flight magic, and I am going to test one of my spells on you while you learn,” Midnight Lavender said.

Feather Wisp felt a flicker of uncertainty at the mention of Midnight Lavender using magic on her.

“Um… is that safe? I’m sure you know what you’re doing, but I’ve never had a Unicorn use magic on me before.”

Midnight Lavender nodded reassuringly.

“It's perfectly safe. It's just a magic analysis spell. I use it to detect traces of magic in the environment. It's usually used for tracking purposes, but I have a different application in mind.”

“A different application?” Feather Wisp asked.

“You'll see. Now, I want you to stand in the center of the backyard. Spread your wings and give your best attempt at flying toward the fence.”

Feather Wisp nodded and made her way to the center of the backyard. With a gentle motion, she unfurled her petite wings, causing a few feathers to gracefully descend toward the clouds below. Inhaling deeply, she began to flap her wings with rapid intensity. Slowly, her legs lifted off the ground, propelling her forward in a floating motion. She almost reached the opposite side of the yard, but her wings succumbed to fatigue before she could complete the journey. With a thud, she landed on her stomach.

“Ow! Sorry, my wings are still sore from the mock exam,” Feather Wisp said.

Observing the radiant purple glow emanating from Midnight Lavender's horn, Feather Wisp noticed a delicate veil of magic covering her companion's eyes, accompanied by a tranquil chiming sound. As Midnight Lavender broke her concentration, her horn flickered intermittently.

“Just as I suspected! You’re still relying on wing power over flight magic.”

Midnight Lavender’s tone shifted from calm to passionate. The Unicorn's statement and sudden change in demeanor left Feather Wisp feeling perplexed.

“I’ve never really tried using flight magic before. Aren’t I just supposed to flap my wings?”

Midnight Lavender promptly opened her notebook and turned to a specific page, preparing to address the matter.

“Pegasi always incorporate magic into their flight, although the amount used tends to be minimal. Because your tribe doesn’t typically channel magic in the conventional sense, like Unicorns, Pegasi tend to strengthen their overall wing power over their understanding of magic. While this does result in faster and more powerful flight, it’s only part of the solution to increasing your overall capabilities.”

Feather Wisp blinked, her expression revealing a momentary loss of thought. Midnight Lavender closed her notebook and returned it to her saddlebags. The pale-colored Pegasus rose from the ground, stretching her legs and wings. As she stretched, there was a slight popping sound from one of her hind legs.

“Why wasn’t this mentioned more in school?” Feather Wisp asked.

“Well, most Pegasi don’t dream of being one of the best flyers in Equestria. I’m sure your teachers only covered the fundamentals. I imagine some of the top flyers know a lot about this technique,but such knowledge is not freely shared in a competitive environment.”

Feather Wisp pondered Midnight Lavender's words, rubbing her hoof against her chin.

“Wow… I wonder if Rainbow Dash or any of the other great Pegasi knew about it.”

“I'm certain they did. Some Pegasi possess a natural inclination for it, but those cases are rare,” Midnight Lavender said.

“I bet Cloud Glider is one of those rare cases.”

Midnight Lavender tilted her head in confusion.

“Cloud Glider? I haven’t heard of her before.”

“She’s not a famous flyer…yet. She’s one of my classmates at school. She destroyed everypony’s time in the mock exam. Her brother is a Wonderbolt. Does the name Gale Glider sound familiar?” Feather Wisp asked.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Midnight Lavender nodded.

“It does sound vaguely familiar. I believe he might be one of the flyers sponsored by my father.”

Midnight Lavender walked toward the base of the stairs leading to the back porch of Feather Wisp's house.

“Don’t worry about this classmate of yours, Feather Wisp. The technique I'm about to teach you can enhance the flight abilities of any Pegasus, regardless of their wing power," Midnight Lavender said.

The Unicorn sat down on the stairs and smiled.

“Are you ready to give this technique a try?” Midnight Lavender asked.

Feather Wisp flapped her wings in preparation.

“Ready.”

“All right, this time I want you to flap your wings and close your eyes. When you sense a sensation similar to that of the wind beneath your wings, grab onto it and follow that current. It might feel like you're being blown away rather than flying, but we'll cover the other part of the technique after you've given this a try.”

Feather Wisp nodded and prepared herself. She took a deep breath and began flapping her wings. Her body lifted off the ground once again. She felt a burning sensation in her wings as they struggled to keep her airborne. The familiar melodic hum of Midnight Lavender's magic filled Feather Wisp's ears. The pale-colored Pegasus grunted as she pushed through the pain.

“Focus, Feather Wisp. When you sense that uplifting current, let it carry you,” Midnight Lavender said.

Feather Wisp flapped her wings rapidly, searching for the elusive sensation that Midnight Lavender had talked about. Just as she was about to give up, she felt a sudden surge of energy lift her wings for a brief moment. Surrendering herself to the current's guidance, she floated across the yard, covering about ten paces before crashing onto the ground. Panting heavily, she settled onto the soft blue terrain. Midnight Lavender approached, carrying a bucket of water, which Feather Wisp eagerly gulped down.

“Great job, Feather Wisp. How did it feel?”

“It felt... like I was drifting away. I flew higher and longer than last time, but I had no control.”

“That's all right. I noticed a slight increase in the magic you were employing as the current carried you across the yard. When you're ready, we can proceed to the next step. We could take a break for today and resume tomorrow if you'd like- “

“-No. I’m going to learn this new technique today,” Feather Wisp interjected.

Setting the water bucket aside, Feather Wisp steadied herself, though her wings throbbed with discomfort. Despite the pain, her determination remained unwavering.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to get hurt,” Midnight Lavender said.

Feather Wisp nodded her head.

“Show me the next step.”

Midnight Lavender hesitated, observing Feather Wisp's exhausted and perspiring form. While worried about her new friend's well-being, she couldn't help but admire Feather Wisp's defiance against her current condition.

“All right, but remember, it's okay if you don't grasp it today. Just keep that in mind,” Midnight Lavender said.

Feather Wisp turned toward Midnight Lavender, wearing a determined smile. While Midnight Lavender couldn't discern the thoughts running through Feather Wisp’s mind, she could see that the pale-colored Pegasus wasn't ready to give up just yet.

“Now, when you take to the air and feel yourself being carried away, you'll sense another force pushing against the back of your wings. That force is the ambient magic in the air. Instead of solely relying on wing power to propel yourself forward, harness that subtle force. Initially, you'll need to lift yourself up with your wings, but then use them primarily for steering and changing direction. This ambient magic isn’t something you can see; you'll just have to feel for it.”

Feather Wisp took a deep breath.

“Faint force against the back of my wings, got it,” Feather Wisp said.

As the afternoon sun's yellow rays transformed into shades of orange, a portion of the sky darkened with the arrival of twilight. Midnight Lavender couldn’t help but worry. If that pony keeps going, I’m afraid she’ll end up hurting herself badly, the Unicorn thought.

Feather Wisp began flapping her wings, and Midnight Lavender could see the pain etched on her face. Despite the discomfort, the pale-colored Pegasus lifted off the ground and drifted across the yard. However, as Feather Wisp's wings grew weaker, panic started to creep in, and her control slipped away once more.

“You’ve got this! Search for that push, Feather Wisp,” Midnight Lavender said.

Feather Wisp grunted as her wings began to falter. Her body descended, drifting backward toward a cloud hedgerow. Despite her efforts to find the elusive push against her wings, she could only sense the familiar sensation from before. Tempted to surrender to its control, Feather Wisp suddenly felt a faint yet distinct push on the back of her wings. She focused intently on the gentle stream of magic behind her. Her body surged forward and maintained a steady altitude of four leg lengths above the ground. Feather Wisp burst into laughter, overwhelmed with joy as she effortlessly soared across the yard toward the fence. The pale-colored Pegasus adjusted her flight angle, ascending another four leg lengths into the air.

Flying just above the roof of her house, Feather Wisp reveled in the breathtaking view of her entire neighborhood. She maintained a steady pace and a straight trajectory, a first in her flying endeavors. The burning sensation in her wings had vanished, replaced by the refreshing embrace of the cool evening breeze. A faint trail of white and orange light followed behind her as she soared. With a graceful tilt of her body, she executed a yaw toward her backyard, eliciting cheers of encouragement from Midnight Lavender.

“You did it, Feather Wisp! There's an abundance of magic coming from your wings now.”

As the sound of a bag dropping to the wooden deck reached her ears, Midnight Lavender turned to see Feather Wisp's mother, Aurora Wisp. A purse filled with makeup and various household items lay discarded on the ground. Aurora Wisp's jaw had dropped, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. Feather Wisp descended and stumbled upon landing in the backyard. She rolled onto her stomach for a few seconds before springing back up. In a gleeful frenzy, she hopped in circles, repeatedly uttering the same phrase.

“I did it, I did it, I did it!”

Feather Wisp's mother galloped across the backyard, closing the distance between them. Feather Wisp noticed her approach and came to a halt.

"Mom! Did you see me fly—" Feather Wisp began, but her words were cut short as her mother enveloped her in a tight hug.

“Yes, Fisp, I saw you fly. I am so proud of you! I can't wait to tell your father about this.”

Feather Wisp returned the embrace, hugging her mother tightly. As they held each other, Feather Wisp's gaze shifted toward Midnight Lavender, who wore a serene smile. Releasing her mother, Feather Wisp walked up to Midnight Lavender and embraced her in a warm hug.

“Thank you, Midnight,” Feather Wisp said.

Midnight Lavender, initially unsure of how to respond, patted Feather Wisp on the back. “Of course… uh, no problem.”

Feather Wisp let go of Midnight Lavender and picked up the dropped purse, giving it back to her mother as she approached them.

“I believe this calls for somepony’s favorite dessert,” Aurora Wisp said.

Feather Wisp's eyes lit up with even more excitement.

“Oh my gosh. Best day ever!” Feather Wisp said.

With a gesture, Feather Wisp motioned for Midnight Lavender to follow her into the house. Aurora Wisp walked closely behind her daughter, holding the door open for the Unicorn. Midnight Lavender levitated her saddlebags to herself. She cast a lingering gaze at the sky as its vibrant hues gradually faded into darkness. After a brief pause, she shifted her attention toward the back door, joining Feather Wisp and Aurora Wisp as they ventured inside the house.

***

Midnight Lavender clicked her horseshoes onto her hooves, feeling a slight pang in her stomach from indulging in the generous portions of cake. Initially cautious about the unfamiliar dessert, she couldn't resist and ended up savoring two slices, acknowledging that Feather Wisp's mother surpassed even the skilled chefs at her family's mansion.

“Thank you so so much for teaching me how to use flight magic, Midnight!” Feather Wisp said, bouncing up and down with uncontainable excitement.

Midnight Lavender chuckled, delighted by the pale-colored pony's enthusiasm.

“You’re welcome, Feather Wisp. But remember, we aren’t done yet. We are going to train every day until you feel comfortable using flight magic. You need to be exceptionally prepared for your upcoming exam.”

Feather Wisp nodded fervently.

“Of course! I can’t wait for tomorrow. Be careful heading back to the hotel, okay?”

Midnight Lavender nodded in acknowledgment.

Feather Wisp's mother emerged from the kitchen; her curly pink mane elegantly arranged to one side. Making her way toward the two mares, she addressed her daughter.

“Fisp, could you clean up the dishes for me? I need to start a load of laundry in the washer.”

Feather Wisp turned toward her mother, flashing a warm smile.

“Sure thing! Have a good night, Midnight. See you tomorrow.”

Feather Wisp bid farewell to Midnight Lavender with a cheerful wave as she trotted into the kitchen. The unicorn reciprocated the gesture, waving back at her.

“Goodnight, Feather Wisp,” Midnight Lavender said.

As the pale-colored Pegasus entered the kitchen, a cacophony of clanging pots and pans filled the air.

Midnight Lavender turned around and reached for the front door. However, before she could grab the doorknob, a voice halted her movement.

“Thank you. I don't know what you showed her or how you helped her, but we are incredibly grateful to you. If there's anything we can do to repay you for your kindness, please don't hesitate to ask,” Aurora Wisp said.

Aurora Wisp approached Midnight Lavender, her eyes reflecting appreciation. The Unicorn respectfully lowered her head and offered a warm smile.

“I would like to spend more time with your daughter, Mrs. Wisp, if that would be all right.”

Aurora Wisp's face lit up with a smile.

“Of course. You're welcome to come over whenever you'd like.”

“Good night, Mrs. Wisp,” Midnight Lavender said.

Aurora Wisp returned a bow to the Unicorn.

“Good night, Midnight Lavender.”

Midnight Lavender opened the front door and stepped out of the Wisp’s residence onto the suburban streets of Cloudsdale. She turned, facing the expanse of sidewalk that stretched before her. The glow of streetlights cast patches of yellow circles upon the marble pathway. Taking a moment to admire the night sky, Midnight Lavender observed the stars as they twinkled and communicated with each other, their gentle flickers resembling a rhythmic conversation. The moonlight bathed the floating city in a soft, pale blanket, while a cool breeze delicately tousled the Unicorn's mane. As she strolled along the sidewalk toward the city center, a profound realization dawned upon her. Today marked a newfound sense of liberation. It was the most freedom she had felt in a long time.