It was the last day of the foals adaptation period, many were beginning to talk about what school would be like, Aurora, in spite of herself was becoming exited. She did enjoy learning however her nearly photographic memory made her learning pace quicker than her classmates and so she had long ago become bored with the repeat lessons.
Aurora had spent the last few nights either sitting in her room or sitting on top of the hill, where she was often joined by jinx. They hadn’t talked much but that was fine, what little talk they had done was focused on their schedules.
Aurora had been somewhat surprised to discover that there were about a dozen lunar pegusi foals in the colony, and that they were going to be attending the same school as the solar foals. She was glad she was going to get to spend time with jinx but was worried about the others reaction to the bat like ponies.
Aurora was currently occupying herself with sorting through her desk drawers which were filled with school and art supplies. This was however a distraction while she waited for the other foals to finish their game of hide-and-go-seek.
Most of the foals still stayed inside while some now played in the small backyard of the dorms. This was a good thing technically but aurora was some what sad at the idea of the quiet night becoming so noisy.
Jinx would not be coming to the hill today, apparently her father was planning to take her to the food farm just outside the forest that bordered the colony. Aurora had originally planned to sit on the hill anyways but had soon realized that she should be using the little bit of quiet left to explore.
It had taken a lot of thinking but in the end she had settled upon a destination. As she finished organizing her drawers the shouts of foals floated up through her floor. “Sounds like they have finished.” Aurora thought walking over to her armoire and retrieving a jacket.
She quickly snuck down the stairs and out the back door, careful to remain unseen. Once outside she bolted for the square, when her hooves touched the stone bricks she edited her course for the palace.
Luna was in her room reading over the lesson plans that she had received from one of the three teachers. She had carefully designed the school system so that her students would be taught based on knowledge rather than on age. At the start of school the next day the children would be given a placement test which would decide where they would be placed.
Luna absent mindedly munched from a tray of pear slices that was placed beside her. She had been locked in her rooms ever since the foals arrived, planning and thinking, and also eating. She was starting to grow pudgy, Luna made a mental note that she would need to put in some exercise other than pacing.
“I’d better make a paper note as well” Luna thought adding a small pad and a quill to the tornado of paper and objects around her head. The princess was so wrapped up in her papers and her thoughts that she did not notice the small muzzle that was pushing open her bedroom door.
“Hello”
Luna turned at the sound of the little voice, She stared at the little blue unicorn filly standing in front of her door. The filly sat there staring up at the princess with bright gold eyes. They sat there for a minute just looking at each other before Luna spoke up. “Greetings little one, what brings you to my castle?”
“I was curious as to what you do all night.”
Luna smiled and gestured for the filly to come sit down beside her. “I am glad to see someone who is enjoying my night. Tell me what do you like about it the most?”
“The quiet.” The filly answered sitting down on the cushion Luna had provided. Luna was not sure how to reply to that so she just plowed on.
“I have taken great pains to make my night a place of beautiful solace painting the sky with stars and nebulae. A guide the creatures of the night, keeping those who would pose threat away from ponies. I have poured my soul into the night.” Luna felt a bit silly for describing it like that but the fillies eyes had not glazed over so that was a good sign.
“ That sounds very wordy for something that takes 5 minutes.” Aurora spoke bluntly. Luna stared blankly at her for a moment, shocked by her frank tone and words.
“W-well yes the raising of the moon and the placement of the stars is a short task. However it is difficult and is only part of my job. I also drive away nightmares and keep away the more unsavory creatures of the night.” Luna spoke quickly feeling the need to defend her work.
“Your sister was unable to do that while you were gone? If so, I don’t see much of a difference since you came back. “
Luna hesitated for a moment before responding. “You must be too young to properly remember before my return. While my sister could keep back the creatures she could not watch over dreams.”
“I could be wrong about how people dreamed before you came back but it really doesn’t matter. A few bad dreams help people keep things in context, so while it might be nicer to have better dreams it isn’t a need.”
While Luna tried to process what the filly had said, Aurora stood up nodded to the princess and walked out.