Serenity’s Tale- Chapter 7: First Impressions
As Serenity exited the school, Winter Gaze called her to her office. “I’ve noticed that you’re just barely passing academically, young lady.”
Serenity gulped, a lump forming in her throat. “Y-yes, ma’am.”
“I have also learned from Estrella that your performance has a tendency to fluctuate. You are treading awfully close to a dangerous line, little filly.”
Serenity trembled under Winter Gaze’s piercing eyes and icy tone.
“Yes, ma’am. I—“
“I don’t care for excuses, just results. I advise that you strive for excellence on the midterm. If you fail to show significant improvement by the semester’s end, I’ll put you in a beginner level class where you belong.”
Serenity simply nodded, fidgeting as Winter Gaze read through some papers. Without looking up, she said “You are dismissed.”
Without missing a beat, Serenity curtsied and hurried out of the school.
Wonderwick and Serenity strolled through Nocturne together, both of their spirits down.
“Are you failing too?”
“Not quite, but the headmistress says I’m close to failing. She said that if I don’t improve, she’ll put me in a beginner level class.”
“But…if you’re in another class, we won’t see each other as much! A-and you’re such a good pony and friend!”
“It’s okay. Miss Fortuna said she can tutor me after school. Hopefully I’ll improve enough to get exemplary marks on the midterm.”
The two fillies stopped in front of Serenity’s home. “Miss Fortuna’s going to be tutoring me too. I’m not sure if it’ll do any good, though. If I don’t understand stuff in class, how will tutoring help?”
“Just give it a try, Wonderwick. Maybe I can help you too. After all, you helped me earlier.”
A smile formed on her face as Wonderwick’s face brightened up.
“You’d really help me with my schoolwork? Thanks, Serenity! I’ll try to help you too, if I can.”
Wonderwick giggled and coughed. “I guess we’re study buddies now.”
They shared a laugh and a hug, then said goodbye as they parted ways.
When Serenity entered, Tranquility immediately bombarded her with questions.
“What took you so long? Where were you? Did you get lost? Are you okay?”
“Calm down, Tranquility,” said Equilibrium. “Though I, too, would like to know why you were unusually late, Serenity.”
Serenity explained her short stay and Estrella’s tutoring suggestion. Tranquility was taken aback, her ear and tail flicking.
“You need tutoring? That’s, uh, surprising.”
Serenity frowned and stuck her tongue out at her. Before Tranquility could retort, Equilibrium cleared his throat.
“Serenity, do not stick your tongue out at ponies. It is rude.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Tranquility, there is nothing wrong with tutoring. Everypony needs help sometimes. Didn’t you need my help understanding an invisibility spell just two nights ago?”
Tranquility let out a soft burr as her ears flicked and her cheeks reddened slightly. Serenity giggled to herself. I didn’t think Tranquility ever needed help. Looks like she’s not as perfect as she makes herself out to be.
The two fillies apologized to one another and then worked on their homework.
After an hour, a maid came to fetch them.
“Lady Tranquility, Lady Serenity, dinner is ready. Your parents are already in the dining hall,” said Wishing Star.
“Thank you, Ms. Star,” said Serenity.
“Did you happen to see what’s for dinner?”
“I’m afraid I did not, Lady Tranquility. But I will say this: the food smells delicious.”
The two sisters grinned and dashed downstairs for dinner.
“You two sure came down in a hurry,” said Summer Rain. “How much homework have you finished?”
“I just have my daily reading and summary left,” stated Tranquility. “May I go over to Solar Glare’s house to play when I’m done?”
Equilibrium thought about it for a moment. “Why don’t you go over in four days? Midterms are approaching, so I would prefer that you spend some time studying before playing.”
A disappointed pout flashed over Tranquility’s face, but it quickly vanished.
“Okay, father. Four days for sure?”
“That depends on how hard you study,” he said with a small grin.
Should I ask if Wonderwick can come over to study? Mother and father have never met her and I’ve never had anypony over before… Serenity drew circles with a hoof as she pondered and chewed some salad.
“Is something wrong, Serenity?”
“Huh? I mean, no ma’am. I was just wondering if I should ask something or not.”
“Well go ahead and ask, dear.”
“Um, well, I was wondering if my friend could come over to study. I thought we could help each other study after studying each day.”
Summer dropped her fork as she clapped her hooves and squealed with delight. Her spouse and daughters nearly fell over from fright, their eyes wide and hearts pounding.
“Certainly sweetie, certainly! Oh thank the Alicorns! You have a friend! I was worried you were anti-social.”
Equilibrium gave her a critical glance, eliciting an embarrassed “oop” from her.
“We look forward to meeting this friend of yours,” said Equilibrium. “What’s their name? I would like to meet them and their parents before having them over.”
Throughout dinner, Serenity told her family about Wonderwick and their fun together at school. Outside the dining hall stood Wishing Star, listening to each word with a tearful smile.
The next day, Serenity and Wonderwick attended their first tutoring session. Estrella began with Wonderwick’s worst subject: mathematics. She then transitioned to magic, where both of them needed improvement. After ninety minutes, Estrella dismissed them for the day.
“Good work today, girls. See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow, Ms. Fortuna,” they said in unison. Both fillies cantered out of the school with pep in their step.
“I can’t wait for you to meet my parents, Wonder! I can’t wait to meet your parents, either!”
“I’m a little nervous about it, to be honest. Should I stop by my house to brush my mane? Or clea—clea—achoo!” Wonderwick levitated a handkerchief out of her saddlebag, blew her nose and sniffled.
“Don’t worry, Wonderwick. Mother and father will like you just as you are. Wait, what did you mean “stop by” your house? Aren’t you already heading home?”
“Oh, my—“Wonderwick covered her mouth as she coughed a few times. “My mama said that I could just meet her and papa at your house after tutoring today.”
Wonder’s mother knows where I live? How? I’ve never even seen her parents!
They traversed Nocturne’s streets to Serenity’s home, where Wonderwick stopped. She looked up at the manor nervously, the massive structure towering over the young filly. Her body trembled, sweat began to bead beneath her fur, her ears flattened and she started hyperventilating. I can’t go in there, she thought. A pony like me doesn’t belong in a house like that..!
“Wonder? Are you okay?”
“Y-yeah. This’ll just be the first time I’ve been inside such a big house.”
Unsure of what else to do, Serenity hugged her friend and held the embrace until she stopped shaking.
“It’s okay, Wonderwick. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ll be right beside you the whole time.”
Wonderwick took a deep breath and gave her a small, reassured smile. “Thanks, Serenity.”
Upon hearing the front door open, Serenity and Wonderwick’s parents turned their attention to the entering fillies.
“Ah, you must be Wonderwick! I’m Serenity’s mother, Summer Rain.”
She smiled and waved from the couch. Equilibrium walked over, lowered himself to Wonderwick’s eye level and shook her hoof with a friendly smile.
“I am Equilibrium, her father. It is very nice to meet you, Wonderwick.”
“I-it’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Equal…” Wonderwick stumbled over his name, making him chuckle.
“You may call me ‘Mr. E’ for short.”
Serenity beamed and then noticed Wishing Star and a hornless stallion sitting across from her parents.
“Ms. Star? I never knew you were Wonder’s mother!”
“Heh heh. Surprise! I’d like you to meet my husband, Wonder Eye.”
“Yep, I’m that little wonder’s pop. Nice to meet you, li’l filly. Thanks for bein’ her first and best friend.”
“You’re welcome, sir,” she replied with a curtsey. Her eyes were glued to his forehead throughout the gesture.
“Is something on my face?”
“Oh, uh, no sir. It’s just, um…Where’s your horn?”
Equilibrium cleared his throat and started to admonish her, but was interrupted by Wonder Eye’s burst of laughter.
“Well tickle me pink. You’ve never seen an Earth Pony before, have you? You see, Earth Ponies don’t have horns, wings or magic. We’re mighty strong, though.”
“Why don’t you fillies run along? If I remember right, you have studying to do,” said Wishing Star.