Comforting squeaked in the darkness, sitting up and looking around wildly. It wasn't as dark as it should have been, her horn sputtering to life in her surprise and casting moody wavering light across the room. Her tense worry began to fade a little. She was her own night light. That was... That was nice, really.
She looked at the dim objects in her room, staring intently to find the source of what had woken her up. Light spilled over them, still shaking and sputtering, but focusing on them. How? She looked up and saw she was putting out a weak little spotlight. "Oh!" She was getting used to her horn, step by step. She didn't have to use that mecha imagination crutch. It was her horn, part of her.
Though part of her wondered, was that light visible to most ponies? Would a normal filly her age and experience still be in pure dark? It was impossible to know when she was alone. "Thank you," she said to nothing and everything. Whatever had decided she would be able to see that light, she was grateful for. Celestia? That seemed unlikely, to her. Celestia had just gone with the flow, gathering her tired essence and bringing it to a gentler land. The body felt like it...
Like it just happened. Like a tired old human just didn't belong in Equestria, so a suitable alternative was provided. Did ponies have a god, besides maybe kneeling in worship of Celestia? Comforting made a point to ask about that as she slipped to the floor with a clop and began exploring her dark room.
Something scurried! She squeaked in surprise, whipping her light onto it. It was one of the mice she had seen before. The mouse was waving at her. It was... hard to keep being scared of any animal that gave a friendly wave. "Oh." Fluttershy had an infestation, but she had invited it in, and they were usually polite guests. "Please don't run around my room in the middle of the night," she requested, even if she wasn't at all sure the mouse could understand her. "You gave me such a scare."
The mouse squeaked in a far less scared way, scampering under the door that separated Comforting's room from the rest of the house. "Get some sleep," called Comforting quietly, lest she upset Fluttershy. Having an animal friend for a mentor also had some downsides. Life was like that, plusses and minuses. She hopped back onto her bed, the room going darker as her horn ceased its glow. "Systems offline," she yawned out, snuggling into her bedding. Sleep came for her without too much more delay, certain that there were no monsters lurking in her room, just maybe a mouse that wouldn't hurt her.
"You aren't supposed to be here." Comforting awoke, but didn't feel entirely awake. She was on a familiar bed of stars that felt soft and somehow gently warm beneath her. "What a curious thing." The voice was gentle. Curious. Despite its words, Comforting felt no malice from it. "You think our world is at peace? I would like it to be so."
Comforting hopped to all fours, clip-clopping against the lack of floor as she looked around the stars, trying to find the source of the voice. "Hello?"
"Hello." A strange version of Twilight appeared, her gaze a thousand yards past Comforting. "You were drifting past, on the way to where your kind goes, but Celestia reached out a hoof, and caught you."
"Yes..." That was... Yeah, that felt right. "I'm very grateful for her."
"Why?" The strange Twilight approached. "Is where you were going that frightening?"
"I... don't know," admitted Comforting. "That is a very heavy question."
"We are both adults," reasoned the strange not-Twilight. "Advanced in our years. We can discuss it."
"Well..." Comforting sat on her little haunches. "No person can know for sure what the end is, other than the end. Who you were is wiped off the planet, that much we can be certain of."
"It's hard to argue that," gently agreed the strange star guardian that looked like the school headmistress. "But here you are. You knew you were not erased."
"I didn't know what came next. Death delayed can still be death." Comforting raised a hoof at the figure. "So when I was offered a chance to be safe, and loved... Why would I say no?"
"Perhaps where you should have been could have been better?" The not-Twilight leaned in, nose close to Comforting, close enough to feel breath, but there was none coming. The spirit had no need to use lungs, so it just didn't. "Doesn't that bother you?"
"I am more curious who you are." She casually reached with both her fore hooves to grab the not-Twilight by the snout, rubbing through the fur and inspecting them. "You feel like a pony." But she was not a pony, was the accusation unspoken.
The strange not-Twilight smiled faintly. "Your people are curious... Now that you are here, you may become one of us. Then you will go where we go, even at the end. Not to where yours go. Are you satisfied with that?"
"I started over." Comforting brought a hoof back to rub at her own cheek. "Most don't even get asked if they want to, so I'm not mad at that. I started, I'll finish. From what you said..." she wobbled that same hoof. "I probably won't be caught again."
"Probably not," gently agreed the spirit. "Does that scare you?"
"I don't think it does..." Comforting sat back, frowning with thought. "I was ready to go the first time. This is... all bonus time, and such a wonderful extra bit it is. I have no right to complain at this point."
"How optimistic." The not-Twilight sounded genuinely pleased at that. "I am Harmony."
"Harmony..." Comforting looked over the not-Twilight intensely. "Why do you look like Twilight?"
"Because I must look like something." She leaned forward. "To look like nothing would be rude and disconcerting."
"Looking like my horn tutor is still kinda both of those," laughed Comforting. "But thanks for trying... Are you... Are you this world's God?"
"That is a heavy question." Harmony was still for a moment of utter silence. "But, it is fair. I asked one." She reached out, resting a hoof on Comforting's little nose. "I am a force, but I do not decide the flow of this world. There are other forces. I am the force that draws ponies together, even when they feel so very far apart. Eventually, they will gather again. The more strongly ponies feel that connection, the happier I am. The weaker that connection grows, the weaker and sadder I become, but I am always there, drawing them. Eventually, they come back together. I am pleased, this time."
"Why?" asked Comforting without thought. It just felt like the natural question.
"The connection has spread beyond ponies." She waved to the left where dragons, griffons, and hippogriffs emerged from nothing. She waved to the right where a massive yak and a bright changeling stepped in. "Perhaps they will become part of me, but I cannot say, only that they are touched, right now, and it is good."
Comforting curled her hooves on herself. "Well, then maybe this is natural, and good." Harmony inclined her head at Comforting. "I'm just another creature, caught in the web you made. I'm not even resisting."
Harmony's smile deepened. "A willing captive. I can only hope my people treat their captured one well." Things began to go fuzzy. "It is time for you to awaken."
Comforting almost said wait, but that never worked. That never ever worked! "Do come back, please."
Harmony's ears danced, confusion? "If you like." And the dream ended.
At least that dream did. Luna descended onto a starry forest floor, looking around. "Hm. I thought I felt a nightmare..." But everything was at peace. Even the actual dreamer was there, smiling at her. "Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine." Comforting inclined her head at the new alicorn. The third she'd ever seen. "Are you related to Twilight or Celestia?"
Luna blinked at that, caught by surprise. "You don't know me?" She curled a hoof at herself. "Luna? Mistress of the night and peaceful slumber?"
"Hi, Luna." Comforting waved a small paw at the so-large pony. "You keep dreams safe? That's so... pure."
"Pure?" Luna raised a brow. "I have not heard that description before."
"Pure," echoed Comforting. "And nice. Thank you. That dream was odd, but not bad. I'm alright."
Luna lifted on grand wings. "If you are certain. Sleep well then, Comforting." Not that the name had ever been given. "And I am Celestia's sister."
"Ask her about me, if you want." Comforting waved goodbye at the departing dream guardian. "Thanks!" She hadn't asked for a dream patrol, but the idea of one didn't bother her. It was someone who cared about her enough to chase away bad dreams. So pure.
"You look happy." Fluttershy was nibbling at her breakfast, looking across the table at Comforting. "Did something happen?"
"A few things." Comforting took a sip at the sweet fruit juice. Not oranges, something else... She couldn't place it, but it was good. "Thank you for breakfast. It's really tasty."
Fluttershy warmed at that. "O-oh... It's nothing special."
"Yes it is." Comforting leaned over the table towards her caretaker. "For one, you made it, which makes it pretty special. But it's also tasty and good, so thank you."
"You're very welcome," allowed Fluttershy with an unsure smile. "So what happened?"
"I had a few nice dreams." She tapped her hooves. "And, oh!" She perked up. "Can you see this?" Her horn began to sputter and glow as best she could, shining light right on Fluttershy's face, though it was a faint light in the already lit room, even in her eyes.
"See what?" Fluttershy inclined her head, eyes darting around. "What am I looking for?"
Aw. "Well, I still felt like I'm getting better at it." The light she had made was so small and tiny that only she could see it. "That book is really good! Um, oh. They didn't give me any homework yesterday. Is that normal?"
"Homework?" Fluttershy lifted her shoulders gently. "Why would that be an everyday thing?"
"School work you do at home?" suggested Comforting, cycling her hooves. "A part of every day... I thought?"
"Only for projects." Fluttershy shrugged softly. "Once you're away from school, it's your time, mostly. Why would we make our students go to school when they're not in school?" She burst into sudden giggles. "That even sounds funny. Did they do it like that where you're from?"
"Yeah..." But was it a bad thing that homework was mostly not there? "Huh. Guess I gave myself homework." But it was magic homework, so it barely even counted. "Oh! How will I get graded? I joined midway." That got another confused look from Fluttershy. "You don't grade people?"
"We grade tests?" Fluttershy shrugged softly. "To see how well a student is doing, so we can try to fix what's missing, if there is anything. Why would we grade a pony? Or any creature? That seems... mean, to give a creature a grade."
"Too bad," called Comforting with a huge grin. "I'm grading you." Fluttershy stiffened with concern. "Mmm, mmm! Yep. Your grade is A+."
Fluttershy burst into little giggles. "Yay," she called out in her soft little voice. "Well, that kind of grading I can agree with."
"Keep up the great work," spoke the little filly in serious tones. "I expect you to keep earning that grade." She waved a hoof at Fluttershy, only to start laughing herself, giggling uncontrollably. "Sorry, was just being silly."
Fluttershy reached across, gently petting the top of her filly. "That sort of silly I'm alright with. Now, we should go to school." She rose to her hooves. "Do you want to walk?"
"What's the other option?"
Fluttershy was smiling at her confused ward. "We fly." And it was then that Comforting got to ride on the back of a pegasus into town and to school, cheering most of the way.
Great chapter
That's a contradiction. She does grade them then if she grades tests, but that doesn't count since to them it's mean somehow. Yeah, that makes no sense.
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In human schools, you get a grade, as a student, at the end of a class.
In Equestria, you may grade poorly or well in a test, but when you reach the end of the class, you completed the class, or the class continues until you do so (Or give up). You are not graded on the class. You, as a student, are not graded.
11137058
But in order to fix the problems, shouldn't the student be made aware they did poorly in order to receive said help, and therefore they are graded. How do you help someone, without letting them know they did poorly and therefore need it, in order to receive said help?
11137059
If you do poorly on a trig test, they go over trigonometry until you seem to have caught up on that. Good job!
How long it took for you to catch up is of less concern, so there's no grade at the end of the semester because who cares? You learned what needed to be learned. It's not a competition.
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So, they the student is aware they did poorly and are taught it until they get it? That's still grading them. You may not give them a final grade to compare to others at the end, but you are still grading them throughout. The only difference is, it's made much more private, somehow. You don't just get graded at the end. You get graded throughout the class as well, therefore equestria's way of doing it still counts as grading them. It just doesn't make sense. Fluttershy has no issues with grading students poorly on tests and yes it still counts as grading them, but suddenly giving them a final one at the end is mean. Consistency, what's that.
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Alright, two theoretical scenarios. Jim and Little Smile, in the human and pony world.
Both are learning math, they do poorly in a test on algebra, oh no! A bit fat F!
Both try really hard and eventually figure it out, good on them.
At the end of the semester, Little Smile is done with the class, period.
Jim's grade, for the class, is affected by that test he took. The fact that he got better later literally doesn't matter, that test is a part of his final grade. He carries that performance forward.
Both students learned just as much, in the end, and perform equally well, in the end, but one is judged less than ideally, and the other is not.
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It does matter. He still got better, and his final grade is better than it would be than if he hadn't. Tests only make up a certain percentage and it's still possible to get an A and even a high A if he works hard for it. This system maybe be harder, but ultimetly I think it's more rewarding and you can still do well on it.
My issue was you saying the students aren't graded in equestria when they actually are thought-out the semester with tests. It may not be a final grade, but they are still being graded. Nice that you seem to be indirectly acknowledging that point. I think I am done. I said all I need to say, and I already repeated myself multiple times. Next time make sure things are more consistent and good luck with the fic.
11137090
If your pass failings being a part of your final grade the issue, there's a simple compromise. Have a final test and only have the grade of that be your final score or grade. therefore, your past failings don't hinder you, assuming they actually do all that much.
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A fine theory! That isn't the one Comforting grew up with, and commented on.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2013/10/14/448599.gif
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Like I said it seems inconsistent that they have no issues grading a student throughout the semester with tests and help them improve yet are unwilling to give them a final test and grade, which they should be able to pass after all the help. At the very least them passing and finally getting it should be considered the final grade. Like I said you might want to work on this education system of yours in this story and make it make more sense and be more consistent.
where does this story start in the timeline, wanting to know before reading.
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Twilight welcomes the protagonist to her school of friendship where she meets the Young Six and Cozy Glow.
I really like the visits of Harmony and Luna. It will be interesting to see if more develops from either of them.
Ahhh too cute thank u
'Cuz you don't know what Harmony looks like.
Awe I love it so much!!!
Fluttershy best mom!
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She is doing her very best. Fortunately, her new child wants to be a good foal for her.
she so adorable
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I read this in Cesar Romero's voice. XD
I'm really glad to see Comforting and Fluttershy's relationship continuing to grow. :)
The title of this chapter is my favorite so far.
Luna checking up on Comforting and Comforting appreciating it so much was adorable.
I was really impressed with the conversation between Comforting and Harmony. Harmony is obviously a cosmic being beyond mortal understanding yet Comforting isn't particularly bothered by that and embraces her in a similar fashion to the way she has embraced Fluttershy and Twilight.
I also feel that the conversation between the two makes great use of the "isekai" nature of the story.
Looking forward to future chapters. :)
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I agree, Fluttershy is best mom!
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derpicdn.net/img/2018/4/4/1698934/large.png
Uh, Right idea, wrong picture.
c.tenor.com/551UXO_M05cAAAAC/culture-man-of-culture.gif
Close enough.
Oh, Also, your moniker reminds me of
- MLP: FiM
- Slice of Life
My name is Twilight Sprinkle, and I'm not who you think I am. I don’t have friends, I don’t have books, and I sure as the sun don’t have any wings.11137670
Hee hee. :D
Always great to find somepony with a similar reference pool. :D
I'm actually really glad that username reminds you of that fic, especially since it looks really cute and funny. :) In fact, I'm a little surprised "Twilight runs a donut shop" is an idea that hasn't been tried more often. ^_^
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11137129
I do not find the schooling system as outlined that odd.
On the first hand, remember that this setting has a much smaller population and a "single room" school house . Historically in the USA, at least in the late 1800s- early 1900s, schools would have children of several different ages mixed together in one class and more individualized lessons which did not require the "factory" approach. Teacher to child ratio being quite a bit lower due to population density for an area.
On the second hand, I actually do have school age children and so can speak from personal experience. The grading system used in the story is not that far off what is actually being moved towards in some places these days. The grading systems used when many of us grew up have changed, this is of course highly regionally variant, but they have moved more towards a more non-graded system. Many times you have a "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" for the course or breakdown of minor subjects. Alternatively, you may have a 1-4 score with the numbers showing how you meet/exceed the grade level expectation (2-3s being most common). There is still a numerical score received on any individual test or graded work, but there is no final grade for a class (akin to pass/fail classes some colleges had for certain electives). From my understanding there is much more of a push to bring students up to a standard than worry about a specific letter grade, especially for the lower grades when this is just not really all that useful. There is also much more of a focus on more individual time per students, although usually with a teaching assistant (or 2) or sometimes an advisor (in later grades) to give help. I do believe the highschool system is more the classical letter grade approach, though.
Also, many children no longer do homework (outside of projects) for anyone below highschool age. From what this was explained to me, this is based on a bunch of studies which evidently saw no real improvement with the addition homework over classwork alone (I have personally mixed feelings based on subject about this to be honest).
Third, on the gripping hand, it is magical talking ponies in a antiquated setting, they have different values about education. So "Then repeat to yourself its just a
showstory, I should really just relax.."11137814
That's all well and good, but my only issue really is Fluttershy and the story claiming they don't grade students, when they actually do. All the other stuff I pointed about how nonsense this system seems to me is just a bonus really. My really only issue is that contradiction that the author has ignored and claim somehow grading them on tests throughout the semester and year don't count as grading them, when that is clearly not the case.
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holy shit this is a really long thread when u open everything
how does she not know who Luna is? That’s like episode ONE! It’s just the latter seasons she doesn’t know.
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It was probably more that Comforting was just acting like she didn't know who Princess Luna was. Comforting does at least try not to show her pre-knowledge of beings from the show
How does she not know Luna?
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She knows Luna. She managed, for once, to not immediately spew her extra knowledge. Of course, it was on a pony she could have easily claimed knowledge of without an issue. Oops.