I Can't Stand You Rainbow Dash

“What’s with that look?” Starlight asked, eyebrow raised.

“Nothing, I was just expecting a powerful mage such as yourself to have a hobby with more… lasers?” I said, trying to hide my look of surprise.

“Well you asked me what I wanted to do, and this is it.” Starlight began to fiddle with her materials until she got her desired shape.

“Yeah well I’ve never done this before so I’m still a bit confused.” I say trying to replicate Starlight but failing miserably.

“What’s the appeal in kites anyway? Magic is so much cooler.” At this Starlight stops putting her kite together and looks at me.

“Kites are amazing Thomas! So freeing and graceful! Not needing magic to simply float through the air without a care in the world! Kites are tied to nothing except the string, no destinies, no magic, just the wind carrying it gracefully!” Starlight smiles, picturing her soon to be completed kite flying in the air.

“Yeah well I’m glad you have a hobby you enjoy.” I say trying my hardest to make something airworthy.

“Thomas, need some help?” Starlight heads over to my spot and takes a look at my progress.

“No see, there’s your problem. The sticks you are using are too dense and thick for your kite. It’s going to drag it down before it ever gets the chance to rise, here use these.” Starlight levitates over some of her unused sticks to me.

“These should make it so your kite can stay aloft with relative ease without the need for much effort on your end.” I look at her and laugh.

“Hey! What’s so funny?” Starlight asks while she continues working on her own kite.

“Nothing. Like I said this is just a hobby I didn’t think you would be into. It gives me a new perspective on who Starlight Glimmer is.” I say waving my hands in front of Starlight who begins to laugh.

“I guess it is something unexpected for what I would like but I really do enjoy it. What about you? I’m sure you have your own unexpected hobbies.” I look to her after failing for the fourth time to make my kite.

“Nah, I’m not that interesting. Honestly ending up here is the most interesting thing to ever happen to me.” Starlight playfully nudges me.

“Come on. I can keep a secret. What do you like to do?” She looks at me expectantly. After a little bit of time thinking on it. I sigh and tell her.

“Well it’s not much but a hobby I enjoyed back home was playing guitar. It really soothed me whenever I got stressed, and playing it felt like magic. The beautiful sounds and calming rhythms. It was a relaxing time for me.” I smile reminiscing on my time playing. Starlight smiled too before getting back to her kite.

“That sounds wonderful! You should play for all of us sometime.” Starlight says as she ties the final knot on her kite.

“Nope sorry, I don’t play music for others. I always only played for myself.” Starlight frowns and looks at me.

“Why? I’m sure you sound great.” I shake my head and go back to trying to make my kite.

“Sorry, but when it comes to guitar I’m not too confident in it. So I only play for myself, that way when I mess up only I notice.” I say getting more frustrated with the kite. Starlight uses her magic to finish setting mine up.

“Tell you what, why don’t I get you a guitar. Not to play for others but so you can play for you. I’m sure you miss it.” She smiles at me after handing me my finished kite.

“I’d like that a lot. Now then let's get the puppies airborne!” I take my kite and begin to run a little bit giving my kite some lift to get up in the air, Starlight runs alongside me and soon both our kites are dancing on the wind without a care in the world.

“You know what, this is quite relaxing. I approve!” I say smiling looking at our kites.

“Isn’t it? It really helps me clear my head especially when I get stuck on a spell. Sometimes I’ll just come out here and fly a kite. It usually helps me move past whatever block I’m having.” Starlight’s eyes sparkle looking at the kites flying freely in the air.

“Hm, well I have to give it to you. This is quite relaxing.” I say just enjoying the cool breeze as we fly our kites. I close my eyes and let out a relaxing sigh before Starlight speaks up.

“Hey Thomas, I have a question for you.” I give her a slight nod while keeping my eyes closed and just relaxing.

“I might have an answer for you. What’s up?” I say enjoying the peace.

“Do you miss your old home?” At this my content smile shifts to a frown but I keep my eyes closed and try to relax again.

“Of course I do. All my friends and family are back there. My entire life was spent there and it feels like all my hard work I’ve spent years to achieve is gone now. Don’t get me wrong, this place is great. But I’m viewing it as more of a vacation because I know you and Twilight will find a way to fix me and send me home.” I say going back to enjoying the breeze.

“But you’ve made friends here too, right? I’m your friend aren’t I?” I hear Starlight sound a bit sad as she says this. I open my eyes and look at her, she shows a dejected face and is looking at the ground now.

“Hey don’t be sad. Of course you’re my friend. I couldn’t ask for a better teacher or friend here. I’d say you’re my best friend in this world Starlight. And if you and Twilight figure out a way to let me come and go from here as I please. You know I’ll be visiting all the time.” I smile at her and go back to looking at our kites.

“Yeah, I’m sure she’ll find a way to send you back.” Starlight’s ears fold back and she closes her eyes in deep concentration.

“Thomas thanks for flying kites with me but I just remembered I needed to help Applejack with something. See you tomorrow?” Starlight asks hopefully.

“Of course teach! I’m looking forward to studying more magic with you! I know that with you by my side I’ll be able to eventually wipe the floor with Rainbow in a race!” I cackle maniacally and rub my hands together. Starlight smiles again and giggles.

“You know you can be pretty lame when you want.” She says as she brings our kites back down.

“Psssh. You only say it’s lame because you are incredibly jealous of my amazing demeanor and magical prowess.” I say standing in a silly villain pose. This causes Starlight to go into a full laugh and I quickly join her. After our laughter dies down she looks at me with a soft smile.

“Thanks again for flying kites with me, this was a lot of fun. Think we can do it again sometime?”

“Of course! I think I get what you see in it now. It’s kind of fun. Let’s try and make this a regular thing.” I give a cheeky grin as I bring my kite back down.

“I can’t tell if you are messing with me or not.” Starlight says as she finishes packing up her extra materials.

“Even I don’t know, honestly.” I say as I go to hand Starlight my kite. She just shakes her head.

“Keep it. When we do come back here to fly them you won’t have to struggle building a new one. Even if it was pretty funny watching you desperately try.” Starlight says snorting and trying to hold back her laughter.

“Hey! Kites are harder than they look! I bet you kites are more complicated than magic theory! And more dangerous too!” I say with a look of fake annoyance on me.

“Oh I don’t doubt it, truly only masters of the craft can ever hope to make a kite worthy of the air.” Starlight says in a mocking tone. I just stick my tongue out at her.

“Alright Starlight, have a good time with Applejack. I’m gonna go bug Rainbow. Maybe I can ruin her afternoon nap.” I smile giddily at the thought.

“Just don’t upset her too much Thomas, I want you in one piece for our lessons tomorrow.”

“Relax, if she tries to chase me I’ll just run. It’ll be good practice for our races.” At this Starlight rolls her eyes and begins to head off.

“Just be careful ok?” She calls out to me on her way.

“Scout’s honor!” I say and head off to find my new victim.