//------------------------------// // Her Faithful Student // Story: There's More That's Out There // by Rose Quill //------------------------------// I wanted to bang my head against the table as they talked. I really needed to start thinking about things I said at times before letting them out of my mouth. “It’s just a phrase!” Twilight said. “But think about it,” Sunshine said, positioning her hands to start ticking off points. With her new glasses and clothing choices, she looked less like a twin of Twilight and more like a sister. I wondered if that had anything to do with the way the conversation had veered. “You were both students of hers at roughly the same time, despite her being several years older than you,” Sunshine said, not unkindly. “While she may not have told you of Sunset until she stole your crown, she may have unwittingly started referring to you like that out of a sense of betrayal.” “But Celestia wouldn’t belittle someone like that!” Twilight protested, looking down at the table to gather her thoughts. “Not intentionally, perhaps,” came the quick counter. “But subconsciously she may have said it once and never bothered to stop you from using what you obviously took as an endearing nickname.” She smiled and put her hand on her counterparts. “It’s just a phrase and a fond memory for you, but it is a not so subtle slap in the face to Sunset.” “Which I never said it was,” I said into the silence. “I merely said it was ironic that Twilight signed her old letters to Celestia as her most faithful student.” “But it’s true,” Twilight said suddenly, emotions rushing across her face, voice rising in pitch. “I can’t believe I’m still doing this! I’m supposed to be the Princess of Friendship, but every time I turn around I’m missing a point or messing up something I should have known!” Sighing and wanting to shut down the upcoming torrent of self-recrimination and subsequent panic attack, I reached out and poked her nose. Predictably, she scrunched her nose and reached up to rub it. “What was that for?” she asked, slim hand returning to the table. “Ir works on derailing Sunshine’s panic attacks,” I said. “Figured it was worth a shot.” I looked at her and smiled. “It doesn’t bother me, Twilight, really. It’s even true, considering you made it to the wings and crown.” Twilight smiled. This was an old rib between us that no longer held any bite. “If you’re sure,” she acquiesced. “Pretty sure,” I returned with a smile. “Any other concerns?” “I’m pretty sure I can recreate the book and give you a copy just for you and your sisters,” Twilight said. “I just don’t know how long it will take.” “Just let me know,” I said. I glanced at my Twilight. “Are you sure you two will do ok while I’m gone?” She leaned over and kissed my cheek. “We’ll be fine,” she shushed. “Besides, it’ll be like a big astronomy sleepover!” She clasped her hands in glee. “I’ll finally be able to use that book…” “That you got from your brother when you were a filly?” the other Twilight finished, a similar look crossing her face. “Was never a filly,” Sunshine said. “But yeah, Shiny gave me an astronomy book when we were kids.” I rolled my eyes. “You two will be just fine,” I deadpanned. “Make sure you at least get some food in between your studies?” They nodded. Sunshine had wanted to stay behind to start setting up the new apartment, and when she heard that the Princess of Friendship was going to collect information relevant to this world’s celestial events she had volunteered to help, hoping to find a rational reason for the portal’s behavior as of late. I kissed Sunshine and dropped a few bills on the table to cover my portion of the tab and slid out of the booth. “See you two when I get back,” I said, a grin flashing as I popped the collar of my jacket. "Make sure the faithful student pays attention," I joked, the two girls giggling. I flicked my mane from my eyes, seeing Starlight Glimmer standing there to greet me. “I take it the Twilights are stargazing together?” she said with a smile. “Probably fighting over the viewfinder as we speak,” I said, walking up and giving her a quick squeeze. “She wanted me to give you this,” I continued, levitating Twilight’s list of notes from the saddlebag my backpack had transformed into. Starlight skimmed the note, nodding at bits. She then looked at me seriously. “Your sisters are here, by the way,” she said with a long suffering sigh. “I hope this goes pretty quickly. The sooner they’re out of my mane the better.” Sighing, I followed the mare to the dining hall, finding my sisters, Morning Glory and Dawning Dew, seated at the table, sipping tea with Rarity. “Sunny!” Glory said when she saw me, hopping to her hooves and coming over to nuzzle me. “Where’s Sunshine?” “She couldn’t make it,” I said. “The Princess required her assistance in a field of which she holds quite a bit of knowledge in.” It was a stretch, but it was the truth. “I’ll just leave you to your reunion,” Rarity said quietly, withdrawing with Starlight. “Well, we’re happy to see you anyway,” Dew said, rising a little more slowly to come to greet me. I gasped when I saw her. “You’re pregnant!?” I gasped. “But…when…what…” I sputtered. Dew blushed fiercely, raising a hoof to her slightly swollen belly. “It appears that Hue and I weren’t as careful as we thought we were last time I went in,” she said, studiously avoiding the word estrus. “So, surprise?” I stared at her slack jawed. “I’m going to be an aunt? Is that why you two have been hounding the Princess?” “Maybe,” Glory drawled. “But also, we miss you, silly!” I smiled. “Well, the good news is, in the morning, you two will get to find out just where I’ve been the last couple of years.” Glory looked fit to burst. “But why tomorrow?” she asked, eyes glittering with excitement. “Because tonight we’re going to go out and celebrate the fact that you and I get to be aunts!” I nuzzled both my sisters in turn. “But what about that one?” Twilight asked. I pinched the bridge of my nose, pushing my glasses up a bit as I did so. “Canis minor isn’t even visible from the city, Twilight!” I said slowly. “The light pollution makes it difficult to see.” I put the telescope case in the trunk of Sunny’s car, closing it and tapping it as I checked it off my mental checklist. “It will be much more visible from Shining Armor’s house. And any excuse to visit Cadence is a good one to me.” She smiled, giggling. “I guess that’s true,” she said. “Are you sure it’s ok to borrow Sunset’s car?” I held up my keyring, revealing a copy of the car key. “I believe the terms were ‘Not a scratch’, but yes, she gave me permission.” “Ok,” she said, hesitantly climbing into the passenger seat. “I’ve been meaning to ask,” I said as we pulled out. “I know Sunny has an allergy to meat, but when you come through, you have human biology.” I sucked on my teeth for a moment. “So have you experienced any unusual changes in taste perceptions or cravings?” “What do you mean?” my counterpart countered. “Every time we’ve visited Equestria,” I started. “Oats, flora and other similar staples of pony cuisine were not only edible for me but tasted divine. I particularly loved hayburgers.” I concentrated on driving as we pulled onto the highway. “I just wondered if you’ve experienced similar situations,” I finished. “Some,” she said, thinking. “I do know that pizza in Equestria is a lot different, so every time I was here for a sleepover, it was an interesting - and delicious - experience.” “Any other foods that you’ve found interesting?” I said, some excitement evident in my voice. “Good interesting? Sure, a few,” she started to fidget. “Bad interesting? More than a few.” “Like?” “Well, most of them are the same as dislikes in Equestria. Like quesadillas, for example.” “What’s wrong with quesadillas?” I asked. I loved the cheesy goodness they promised. “They’re just so…cheesy,” she muttered shyly. “That’s kind of the point, Twilight,” I said. “What gives?” “I…uh…well…” she fidgeted in her seat. I waited as I merged onto the interstate, the sound of the road a peaceful sound. “I had a bad experience with one as a foal,” she finally said. “I’d rather not talk about it. Please?” I nodded and patted the air between us. “Your secret - whatever it is - is safe with me,” I said. “Thank you,” she said, leaning back in the seat. “So how many days are in the year on this side?” I started trading tidbits on the daily cycle of day and night as we drove, answering basic questions about seasonal phases and axial tilt. This was going to be such a great weekend!