//------------------------------//
// Ch6, Winter Star 
// Story: CSR Philadelphi 
// by shysage 
//------------------------------//

"Whoooeeee...  What a day..."  Even across the large circular room, I heard that, placed who...  "Mercy...  Tech playin' with the refuse pumps again, wow they made a mess...  Wouldna' taken' long to clean it up, but the safety boys made us shower like every 5 minutes I think.  It's just grass an water..."

Spring Star said quietly what she had felt...  "Yes, that is Winter Star, and yes, she is just like..."

I couldn't wait, and said the name out loud "Applejack!(1)"  Winter Star turned to look, then walked quickly over from her area right away, laughing.  "Hold your horses girl, I'm just Winter Star.  And I have no idea why they gave me this huge log on my head, either."  Winter Star tried to use both eyes to look at her Alicorn Horn.  That made us all laugh.

Winter Star looked at me briefly.  "And you must be our new Summer Star, freshly imported from E-questria(1) down below" she said confidently.

I blushed.  Spring Star said quietly "Well, not quite yet, Winter Star...  She still has to..."

Winter Star answered right away.  "Just callin' it like I see it."  Her whole tone softened.  "We're really glad you made it here.  I think we need someone like you, like your magic..."  Winter Star slowly used her magic and pulled her panel carefully out from her back...  "I think this is the best my magic can do... I think we need... more...  I think we need... you..."  Then Winter Star bowed.  I nudged her up and hugged her.  After we were done hugging, Winter Star asked "An' what in tarnation is a tarnation?  I hear Applejack(1) say that a lot.  Now I do too, but what in Philadelphi does that even mean?  Anypony know?"

I got that playful smirk again.  "You should ask her!"

Winter Star was speechless, and shed a few tears.  "That would be..."

Well, I hugged her again.  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."

After hugging only briefly, Winter Star pulled away.  "Yea, I know ERP's and such...  And wings and this horn, what are they for...  But every time I see her, it is like I have known her for... forever..."

Fall Star had joined us.  "Yes...  That is just strange how the three of us Leading Stars so closely match..."  After thinking briefly, Fall Star said quietly "Let's move to the circle, girls."

In the very center of this circular room was a lower area, and that was the "circle", I guess.  The floor was white and padded nicely, but walking on it...  I had to be careful.  Still, Fall Star, Winter Star, and Spring Star laid quickly on their bellies facing the center, facing each other.  To their backs was their area of this room.  I waited for them to lay down, then I took the fourth spot.  It was very comfortable.

"At least once a day, we usually relax here and talk about our areas, about Philadelphi, and such." Fall Star began.  "If there is not much to talk about, we might go to the viewer and watch some archived evis content.  Our goal is just to spend some time together at some point during each day.  And if something comes up during the day, and we need to talk, this is where we come."

Well, I just sighed.  Right now, the three Leading Stars were right here, probably in the most important spot in Philadelphi, as much a place of true friendship as there ever was...  Shysage wasn't back yet, but I guess I just needed...  Head slightly down...  "Fall Star, amazing friends...  It is clear to me that we can help Philadelphi, and Shysage and I both absolutely want to do whatever we can for you, for Philadelphi and her ponies.  But do I need to be a Leading Star to be able to make that happen?"

Well, I could tell Spring Star was a mess inside, just like my sister Fluttershy(1) would be in the same situation.  Fall Star answered calmly "Well, technically, you have already fulfilled all the various parameters of the Leading Star specification package, ERP's and such."  She had already mentioned this to me.

Winter Star explained quietly "The boys in Tech say there is a severe limitation in transjector range except for Leading Stars.  The magical oversight enforces that; I guess the docs spell that out.  Terrabelle told me we barely got you both up here from right below Philadelphi even...  And, since you and your Stallion need to stay together...  Giving you Leading Star classification is the best way, gives you the best chance at arriving here when we need you."

Well, after hearing that, I didn't even need to think.  This was all about helping Philadelphi after all.  I just smiled.  "Ok" I said quietly.  "If that is how we can best help Philadelphi and our new friends..."  We all stood up and took turns hugging.  I think this meant a lot to these Leading Stars, to Philadelphi.

Then Winter Star laughed.  "I think Summer Star is the only spot that hasn't been taken yet, is that ok with you?"  That made us all laugh.  I guess the fact that my name was Summer was not that important for this.  It didn't matter.  True friendship...  Shysage and I live for that, and will, forever...

We were already standing on this padded floor, as we hugged, then Fall Star led us out then over to what would become my area maybe.  I was not sure how that would work, since I would be "on call" generally from somewhere else.  I don't think any of the other Leading Stars had any clue either.  The area was mostly vacant, except for, let me see, 8 panels on stands, arranged neatly as a part of a circle in this area.  Fall Star was thinking out loud, I think.  "Winter Star basically takes care of our facilities, the Tech crew, the physical side of Philadelphi..."

Winter Star chuckled, then said "Mostly cleanin' up after Tech" and we all laughed.

Fall Star continued.  "Spring Star takes care of the ponies of Philadelphi, a huge job if you ask me, but she does so well!"  I was right next to her, and hugged her briefly.  Of course she was perfect for that...

Fall Star, still thinking... "I watch over the magical side of Philadelphi, and how that intersects with Winter Star and Spring Star's areas..."  It was quiet briefly, then Fall Star said "I don't know Summer..."

After a few minutes silence, Spring Star mentioned quietly "The task areas of the Leading Stars varies depending on how many Leading Stars there are.  I think Philadelphi will adjust this fourth console area according to what it senses is needed... after the induction maybe..."

Fall Star nodded yes, slowly.  Winter Star laughed and said "Wow, I have no clue, don't ask me!"

I didn't have any clue either.  "I will do whatever I need to do, I guess.  And I am sure I can count on three of the most amazing friends in Philadelphi, in Equestria(1) for help!"  We all hugged again after that.

It was quiet briefly, then Fall Star said quietly "Well, we do need to complete the Leading Star induction with you, but we can wait until your Stallion is back for that."  It was quiet a little more, then Fall Star added "Girls, let's take Summer up to the Magic Review deck, and we can talk some more.  It isn't far."