I did it! I aced my exam and now I will be moving on to the next phase in my studies, and I won't have to sleep right across from Celestia anymore. Finally after what seemed to be ages I was able to move into that study tower. While I do appreciate everything Celestia has done for me, including watching over me as if I were her own as a filly, it will be so nice to have my own space to live and study without supervision.
As Celestia and I headed towards my new home we passed by the donut shop where my friends were gathered. They all rushed out and the first to say anything was Minuette, "Hi Starlight, how did you do?" She then saw Celestia and bowed, "Hi your Majesty."
Celestia giggled, "Oh Minuette, you're as bad as Starlight! You don't need to address me like that all the time."
I excitedly added, "I aced my exam! I get to live in the study tower now!"
All my friends rushed over and hugged me. I could tell they were all happy for me but something just didn't seem right with Moondancer. She asked, "So what will you be doing now that you'll have so many books right there at your disposal?"
Just as I began to reply Celestia interrupted, "While she will continue to study quite a bit with me and spend a lot of time in the Starswirl the Bearded wing, she will also be expanding her knowledge in pony history overall."
Minuette asked, "Will we still be able to get together on weekends like we do now?"
Celestia replied, "Of course you will. Chances are she will actually have more spare time on her hooves now."
I added, "Yep! Come on ladies, want to join Celestia, Spike and I in getting me settled into my new home?"
They all nodded in agreement and followed us to the study tower. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect but I figured that whatever it was, that I would like it. I must admit, I didn't expect the staircase to get up there to be so long. Luckily when my friends won't be following me up here, I can just self-levitate and not be so winded.
Celestia handed me the key and as I opened the door for the first time, a rush of musty air hit all of us. While it caused Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine to gag a bit, it didn't bother the rest of us any. Given that it had been 300 years since anypony had been in here, both Celestia and myself were expecting it.
Once we headed in I began to look at the wealth of knowledge that surrounded me. I said, "Wow, I can't believe that I'll have this much knowledge at my disposal."
Celestia replied, "While there are many books in here, I am going to have to get some newer books in here as well. After all, like I said, it has been 300 years since anypony has been in here."
As we headed into the kitchen I'll admit, there wasn't much of a kitchen at all. It was like stepping into a time warp, going way back in time. Celestia could see a look of disappointment on my face and continued, "Oh and don't worry, I'll make sure this place has modern equipment and electricity in no time."
I asked, "So will I not be able to move in right away now?"
Celestia replied, "No, you won't. If I have crews start working on this place immediately, it should be ready in about a month."
Oh horseshoes, I was really hoping that I wouldn't have to sleep across from Celestia anymore. You know how it is, once a pony starts to mature, she wants more personal space and would rather stay out with her friends as late as she wants to. Apparently Moondancer could sense my frustration as she asked, "Your Majesty, I don't know if this would be ok with you or not but if Starlight doesn't want to sleep across from you for another month, I would be willing to take her in."
My ears perked up when I heard this. Celestia asked, "Starlight, what do you think? I know you've been looking forward to having more space, would you want to stay with Moondancer until your new home is ready."
Out of all my friends, despite her being older, I felt as though I could relate with Moondancer the most since she tends to be the most studious. I replied, "You bet I would!" Of course given that I would be staying with Moondancer I knew that our schedules would likely conflict. I asked, "I know I just passed my exam but when will my next phase begin."
Apparently there is something that other students get that I didn't know about, breaks. Celestia replied, "I've never done this before with a protege Starlight but your friends are going to be on break for the next six weeks, what would you think of joining them?"
I replied, "You bet I would!"
Celestia began to head back towards the castle when she said, "I am very proud of you Starlight Glimmer and I look forward to us working together more once break is over." She then looked at all of us and continued, "Now you six, I mean seven, have fun and enjoy yourselves."
I replied, "Oh I'm sure we will."
Once Celestia got out of earshot Minuette asked, "So Starlight, what would you think about having a party tonight to celebrate you acing your exam and getting to move away from Celestia's constant watch."
I replied, "That sounds great." I looked down at Spike and asked, "Does that sound good to you?"
Spike replied, "Yeah, I almost never get to have any fun."
We all embraced and began to jump up and down celebrating not just the start of a new phase in my life, but also something I've never experienced before, the beginning of break. That night our party went by as any party would. There was music, dancing, punch and something that Celestia had really got me addicted to while I lived with her, cake! While we have had plenty of fun times together and met up a lot, that night was the first night I truly felt like I could let my mane down since I didn't have to be back at the palace by a certain time.
During the month that I was waiting for my new home to be modernized, Moondancer and I did enjoy one another's company quite a bit. While it may sound kind of odd that I would do this during break, I went with her to the library and just studied various things for the fun of it. By the time that my tower was ready, Moondancer and I had become very close, close enough that we considered each other best friends.
After four weeks my new home was ready and wow, Celestia's crews did a spectacular job modernizing it. When I first went in there was no artificial lighting, there were no appliances and while this may sound odd, the place didn't even have indoor plumbing. Now, it has all the modern conveniences a pony could want and as would be expected, my friends and I held a party in there the night I was able to move in.