//------------------------------// // Snapshot - Colonial Equestria // Story: Story Snapshots // by NotanImportantPony //------------------------------// Crystal , a loyal servant of the Celestial house for thirteen years had grown up beside the two Princesses, sometimes she was their nanny, other times she was their disciplinarian. The royal family knew Crystal by name and she could often be found in the company of either Princess Luna or Princess Celestia. Some Nobles said that Crystal was like a third sister to the royal duo. Over the years Crystal had developed an uncanny way of knowing where the Princesses were and what they were feeling. So, when she heard the angered howl of Princess Celestia Crystal entered her lady’s room. Patiently biding her time  in the vestibule Crystal waited out the teenage Princess’s tantrum and in the process she heard some disturbing things. "Arrgggg!" Celestia yelled as she threw her bejeweled diadem at her bed. "That little blue brat!” She continued heatedly as she flopped onto her bed. “It's like she's going out of her way to hog all of my attention!" The rambunctious nature of children was what drew Miss Penny Rose into a teaching career. To see such little bodies full of energy filled her with joy the likes of which she had never known. Her loving and effective teaching methods quickly became desired by the nobility and she accepted. While the pay was wonderful the experience was not, contrary to the ‘common’ children, the children of the nobles were arrogant, self-serving, and overzealous. But she beared and grinned like she did everyday even though she had to rescind her relaxed teaching style. It was that change which almost ruined her career, with her discipline reaching the ears of the nobles she suddenly found herself bereft of willing pupils until one day she stumbled upon a young child struggling with her words. That child was the youngest daughter of the King and Queen of Canterlot, knowing who the child was and knowing what she had to do, Rose tried to pry the young Princess away from her books but to no avail. The little Princess refused to leave until she had learned her letters, “Because Celly does it so I want to too!” Rose never stood a chance against such pure and innocent logic. So, they were found an hour later deep in the royal library reading, laughing, and having a wonderful time. Luna loved the funny, kind woman and Rose loved the determined, honest nature of the littlest Princess. That was why she was appointed as their tutor. That had been six years ago, now Luna was turning eleven and Celestia was turning sixteen. There were two days before the coronation of Princess Celestia and she was still in class. Of course, as the two sisters grew and changed so did their virtues. At the tender age of eleven Princess Luna still held honesty and determination among others in high respect. The same could not be said for Princess Celestia for her childhood virtues of compassion and loyalty were twisted by the exposure to the Nobles and their games. An unfortunate example of how far Celestia had fallen could be seen in that day’s lesson. As much as she loved children, Luna and Celestia were two little troublemakers, Celestia would bait or goad her younger sister into doing or saying something that would get her in trouble with either their parents or one of their retainers. That was the way the day’s lesson was heading. Rose had heard enough out of the little Princess Imp for one day.         "Child,” Rose scolded, turning to Celestia. “Please restrain-"         "-You're calling me a child?!” Celestia rudely interrupted Miss . “I'm a Princess and you will address me a such or else I'll have you fired!"         "You will not be a Princess for two more days and given your behaviour over the last several months you do not embody the virtues of a true Princess. So until you stop acting up like some Noble’s petty daughter I will call you ‘child’.” “But-” “-No buts. You will listen to me child or I will tell your parents about your recent outings, understand?” Celestia turned away from her tutor and Luna with a growl then stalked out of the room leaving her sister and Rose alone. Turning to her tutor Luna asked, “Miss Rose? Are you going to go away?” “Little Luna, I will not be banished or fired over your sister’s little temper tantrum. In fact, I’d say that your parents would ream her out instead.” Luna was silent for a minute as she thought about what Rose said. “But I don’t want Tia to get hurt. I want to go talk to her… please?” “I’m sorry deary,” Rose said somberly. “But I don’t think she’ll want to see anyone anytime soon.” “Why?” Luna asked with childish curiosity. “Well, if I am correct then your sister will be pouting in her room having left her guards orders to not let anyone in except for the Royal Baker’s delivery boy. And seeing as your sister has left this lesson there is no need for me to continue teaching for the day. Luna you have the day off, I will help you find your mother then I will prepare for Celestia's coronation.” Rose ushered Luna out of the room and into the hallway where a duo of Royal Guards stood at attention. “Guards.” Rose called, drawing their attention. “Would you be so kind as to escort Princess Luna to her mother for the time being? I have to go prepare for Princess Celestia’s coronation.” The guards quickly gathered Luna between them then escorted her down the hallway as they turned a left corner Luna looked back at her tutor and mouthed something but Rose couldn’t make it out. Canterlot’s newest colony, Ponneville, founded twenty years ago by Admiral Cel Lun was named after the abundant equestrian wildlife found in the area. Thanks to the readily available source of animal labor the little colony swiftly grew into a thriving port town. Now it’s new nineteen year old governess or rather, Princess, stood on her balcony watching the sun meander through the sea blue sky overhead. Princess Celestia really didn’t want to move twelve-hundred miles away from home but with the Noble court growing rowdy and Luna growing into her role Celestia had to be given some political station. Her parents decided that giving the position of Governess to Princess Celestia would teach their daughter some humility and real world skills. They were right and they were wrong. While she lived in the lap of luxury in Canterlot; Ponneville had only a fraction of the wealth that she was used to. That led her down and thoughtful path, one which she wrote on her personal parchment paper. ‘-it is dreadfully boring, nothing ever happens. Everyone smells of fish and brine, plus traveling aboard a ship like the Arcadia was a horrid experience. I had to deal with cramped quarters, smelly and uncouth sailors, plus we ran into a storm which blew us several days of course! So, sister despite our past differences I wish that you could grace Ponneville with your presence. It would mean the world to me. ‘Signed, ‘Crown Princess Celestia Governess of Ponneville’