//------------------------------// // A Glowing Opportunity // Story: Friendship is Shining: Multi-Pink-Cation Problems // by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle sat at the kitchen table, a sheet of paper in front of her. Her brow was furrowed and tongue stuck out of her mouth as she concentrated. A small glow of magic engulfed her horn, flickering from time to time. In a similarly flickering aura, she held a pencil, pressing it against the paper as she tried to draw. It was a self-created lesson. A way to try and have fun (alone), and work on her magic. Specifically, the fine motor skills and control. The idea was to keep the pressure right while creating the lines, making the picture she wanted. Seeing as there were five other sheets of paper crumpled up and tossed aside, it was not going well. There was a loud snap as the pencil broke in two, getting a groan from the filly. "Okay, Twilight," her mother said as she walked up. "I think that's enough practice for tonight." Twilight let out a grumble, placing her chin on the table as she glared at the paper. Still using her magic, she picked up the lower portion of the broken pencil and tried to levitate it to the trashcan. A loud knock caused the filly to jump, her magic surging and the pencil piece being driven into the wall tip first. This, in turn got a frustrated glare from Twilight Velvet. "Uhm...oops?" Twilight Sparkle said, grinning sheepishly. "Sorry." "Greetings, citizen Night Light! May we enter your domicile and speak with you?" A gasp of excitement escaped the younger Twilight as she recognized the voice. Jumping from her chair, she ran toward the front door, grinning widely. "Princess Luna!" she cried out, catching sight of the alicorn standing in the doorway. "Hel..." Catching herself this time, Luna stopped. She shifted her body as she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Apologies," she said in a more moderate tone. "We are still more used to The Royal Canterlot Voice than moderate speech, and are rather nervous. May we come in." "Of course, Princess," Velvet said, giving a small bow. "Welcome to our home. Please come in. Can I offer you some tea? Perhaps a cookie?" "That would be quite nice," Princess Luna stated as she stepped further into the house. "Thank you." It was not long before the for of them were gathered around the dining room table, with cups of fresh brewed tea and homemade almond butter cookies. Luna had not been aware that they were able to make a butter from almonds. It was not bad, but she did not really notice any difference between it and regular peanut butter. "So, what brings you to our house, Princess?" Twilight Sparkle asked around the last bite of her cookie. It was something she and her parents had been wondering, but neither Twilight Velvet nor Night Light were willing to be the one to ask, seeing it as being the princess' prerogative to decide when to speak of business. Princess Luna took a long sip of her tea, considering the question. "In truth, we have done little to connect with the citizenry and learn of this new society," she admitted. "A part of it is due to our returning to our duties, as you are aware." "You mean that was real?" Twilight asked, eyes wide. "I thought it was just an elaborate dream." "Nay. 'twas real, young Sparkle. As keeper of the night, we are capable of visiting ponies in their dreams and aiding them with matters that manifest in such." Luna took another sip. "Although, doing such means we are in a sense awake, preventing us from getting the rest of sleep while doing so." "Hold on," Night Light cut in. "Are you saying that you and Discord actually entered our daughter's dream?" "Indeed," Princess Luna confirmed. "We are uncertain how such was possible, but Discord seemed as surprised as we were. As such, it seems unlikely he shall be able to do such again. However, we shall be continuing our observations and guardianship of the dream realm, allowing us to step in should he manage to appear again." "Good," Twilight Velvet growled out. "I swear, if I ever get my hooves on that stallion, he will pay for what he has done to my children." "An understandable response. However, we are digressing from the main point. Our meeting with young Twilight Sparkle both in the garden and in the dream had started us thinking. After discussing the matter with our sister--" Princess Luna turned her full attention to Twilight Sparkle "-- we have decided that perhaps we should take on a student of our own." Twilight Sparkle stared at the princess a moment, the words slowly sinking in. As she realized the implication, her eyes went wide as a gasp escaped from her. "Me?!" she squealed out, nearly jumping up from her seat. "Correct," Princess Luna assured her. "We have met you, and seen much potential in you. A brief check of your school records show that you are an intelligent and hard working filly. It seems that you could have skipped ahead at least one grade had you desired. Additionally, Shining Armor was not the first in the family to have such strong magical talent, a trait I have been told you have already started to show as well. To that end, we--" "YES!" Twilight shouted, jumping up. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" She turned to her parents. "Can I? Can-I-can-I-can-I? Please?" "Well, we can hardly say no," Night Light said. "Please," Princess Luna said as she turned to the stallion, "do not feel obligated to accept merely because of our royal status." "It's not that," Night Light assured her. "Although it does play into it. It's more the opportunities both in education and careers that it would open up for Twiley. Plus, with how many candidates there normally are for Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns each year, we could use any advantage we could get." "Now hold on," Velvet cut in, holding up a hoof. "Forgive me, Princess, but I'm not quite so ready. Before we agree to anything, we should at least have some idea what this will entail." "A simple enough request," Princess Luna replied. "A specific lesson plan would require research in education, as well as to learn of Twilight Sparkle's capabilities, weaknesses, and needs. Initially, Twilight will come to the palace after school when I shall assist her in learning about her magic and how to use it. If she is as capable and willing as I believe, then she shall be more than ready for the entrance exams to Celestia's school." "Come on!" Twilight Sparkle whined, grabbing her mother. The younger Twilight looked up at the older one, giving the biggest, saddest eyes she could muster. "Pleeeeeeeeaaaaase?" Velvet looked down at her daughter, pretending to consider the possibility. In truth, she had already decided as soon as the offer was made, but still wanted at least some assurances it was the right one. Plus, she did not want to seem too eager. Patience may not have been a strength of hers, but she did want to try and instill it in her children. "Alright," she finally said. "Bu--" The rest of it was lost in a squealing death grip as Twilight Sparkle threw herself at her mother and hugged her tightly. Everything did go blurry, but she was able to breathe enough not to pass out.