Sunset let out a yawn as she entered the kitchen. “Good morning” she mumbled.
Twilight smiled, looking up from her book. 'Not really a morning pony, is she?' She returned the greeting. 'I wonder if she's still having strange dreams.'
Sunset moved across the kitchen and grabbed a clean plate from the cupboard. She seemed to have have learned her lesson from the previous morning. In addition to fresh fruit, her plate was topped with a carrot muffin and a small serving of oatmeal. She set it on the table and went to the refrigerator, returning a bit later with a tall glass of milk.
“Good to see you have a healthy appetite” Twilight remarked.
“I'm still a growing filly.”
Twilight suppressed a chuckle. “So, I seemed to have missed yesterday. How did it go?”
Sunset swallowed her food. “Horrid. The other chores, I can stand. Your bathrooms, however, are a bio-hazard. Four showers later, and I still don't feel clean.”
“Oh, I'm sure wasn't not all that bad.”
The young mare looked traumatized. “You've obviously never crawled under a vanity.”
“Well, maybe now, with you tending to them, things should be easier.”
Sunset only grunted and continued with her meal. “Are we going to resume my lessons today?”
“Finish first, then we'll talk.”
“Where's Starlight?”
Twilight turned a page. “She's off visiting a friend for the day.”
“Spike?”
“You ask a lot of questions” She pointed to Sunset's plate with her muzzle. “Eat.”
The student let out a sigh through her nose and set to finishing her plate. With only her milk left, Sunset set her other dishes in the sink, and returned to tend to her drink. “Can we talk now?”
Twilight looked up from her pages. Satisfied, she nodded and set her book aside. “Now then,” she began, “as you may have noticed by now: Teamwork is what keeps this place moving. Everyone is given specific tasks, without which, this whole castle would fall apart. In addition to your chores, you will also be expected to assist in our daily duties.
“You inquired as to Spike's whereabouts. He's off preparing your to-do list for today. You will be his assistant while you're here.”
“What?” Sunset cried, “I'm going to be the assistant's assistant? That's like being the pony that takes away the garbagepony's garbage! Are you—”
“Sunset Shimmer,” Twilght said, sternly, “I will not have a repeat of yesterday.”
Not wanting that either, Sunset quieted down and drank her milk.
“Now then, as I am also your teacher, I will also expect every morning a brief report of the previous day's events. What you put in them is up to you. They may be lessons you learned, things you've read, observations, etc. How long they are is also completely up to you. Seeing as this is day two, and yesterday didn't exactly go as according to plan, I'll expect reports for yesterday and today tomorrow morning.”
A scroll hovered over to Sunset. “This is a list of readings to accompany your lessons. All these titles are found in the library. You don't need to read them in this particular order, but I would suggest it, as they are cumulative. Upon completion of each, I will expect either a report or small demonstration about each topic's concepts and applications.”
She took a sip of her tea. “Lastly,” she smiled lightly, “you are here to get some rest. I don't want you to feel as a prisoner here. As long as your chores and other duties are done, you are free to wander about at your leisure.
“You may find this little town has quite a lot to offer in ways of rest and relaxation. You will also find that, despite as we may seem, we do enjoy our moments of just kicking back. All I ask is that you ensure to join us for dinner, unless prior arrangements have been made, and that you observe a ten o'clock curfew. By that, I mean you are either in your room, or on your way to your room, by ten.”
“Why my room?” Sunset asked softly. She didn't want to be confrontational, but was merely asking out of curiosity. “Why not be in the castle by ten?”
“You really have no business wandering the castle after ten” Twilight simply said, taking another sip of tea. “I hope you realize I'm giving you a lot of liberty here. Please don't make me tighten the reins. I am trusting you to be responsible with your freedom.
“Now, any questions?”
“Just one” Sunset teetered, as it seemed a bit petty, “my allowance...”
“You shouldn't need it. Everything you want, or need, will be provided here. However, if you still feel the need for a little extra spending money, I'll speak with Princess Celestia.”
Sunset nodded. That was an answer she could accept. She felt the princess pat her shoulder.
“Finish up. Spike is waiting for you.”
---
Sunset pushed open the double doors leading to Princess Twilight's throne room. She glanced around the large room, trying to locate the little dragon. “Hello?” she called out.
“Oh, Sunset!” Spike poked his head out from behind one of the stone thrones, “There you are! Come on over.”
“So,” Sunset said, trotting over, “Princess Twilight says you have a list for me.”
The drake nodded. “Right here!” He held aloft a scroll, which Sunset took and opened it. She glanced down it's contents.
“It's a shopping list.”
“Yep! Need a lot of things around here.” He produced her saddlebag and a small purse with Bits. “This should be enough for all your purchases, plus a little, just in case.”
Sunset peered into her saddlebag and raised an eyebrow. “Where'd all my stuff go?”
Spike only shrugged. “I dunno. Princess Twilight just gave me the bag.”
The young mare bit back a growl. She'd have to have a talk with the princess later about her things. She, particularly, was not liking being without her journal.
“It will probably take you most the morning to get everything” continued Spike, “Meet me back here when you're done.”
With her bag firmly strapped, Sunset headed off into town.
It was market day and the small town of Ponyville was bustling with various vendors, and street merchants. Everywhere Sunset looked, there were ponies buying, selling, or just enjoying the fair. In some corners of the market were performers, each displaying their various talents.
Sunset pulled out her list, and reviewed it, while surveying the circle surrounding town hall. There were many things she could get from the market itself. A few things, though, she would have to venture into some of the nearby shoppes.
'Okay,' she smiled, 'the sooner I get this done, the sooner I can do whatever else Spike has set up for me, the sooner I can return to do my chores, the sooner I can get my schoolwork done, the sooner I can do what I want.' She shook off the feeling of how daunting that all sounded. Setting back for a moment, she formulated a plan. Having sorted out the swiftest route to get her through the market and to the items she needed, Sunset descended upon the center.
With her path mapped out, she moved quickly about the market. She skillfully weaved among the other bodies, coming to a stop at her first stall. She pulled out her list and double checked it.
“May I help you, Miss?” said a gentle voice.
“Yes!” smiled Sunset, rolling her list back up, “I'm looking for berries?”
“Right this way.” The stallion gestured Sunset to a side of his fruit cart where various berries were laid out.
Sunset made her purchase and moved on to her next stall. She checked off her list as she went. Completing her transaction for a loaf of bread with the baker, she glanced at her list again. “Well, that completes all the food items. I still need quills, ink and paper.”
In planning, Sunset had allocated herself a little time to explore the market before leaving for the shoppes in town. She was particularly interested in the living statue set up near what appeared to be a magic show stage. Sunset sneered at the empty stage. She never cared much for performance magic, but she did have a certain appreciation for ponies who could stand motionless for hours on end. Hence, her great admiration for the palace guards.
This particular statue was of Clover the Clever. Judging by his dress and props, Sunset surmised, that the statue was attempting to recreate Clover performing one of his seven legendary trials. She cautiously approached the statue. She knew from experience that they sometimes liked to jump at ponies, and she didn't want to be surprised. Having kept a close eye on him during her time at the market, she knew he had been standing still for about an hour. However, now up close, she was able to admire the detail of the costume and makeup.
He was painted from ear to hoof in bronzed paint with careful patina. About were also white splotches and streaks where “birds” had made an unfortunate deposit. Sunset was so enthralled in the study of the detail, she almost forgot she was looking at a real pony. That is, until he winked, causing her to jump back slightly.
Sunset smiled, dropped a coin into Clover's pan, then went about her day. As she trotted away, the market was rocked by a giant explosion. Sunset quickly turned around to see smoke rising from the magician's stage and a blue unicorn mare dressed in a purple robe and hat yelling at the top of her lungs, announcing the beginning of the show.
As much as she was asked to try, Sunset could never stand stage magic. To her, it was just a cheap gimmick for the real thing. It didn't help that most stage magicians she had encountered were unicorns; failures employing tricks and illusions to supplant their own shortcomings. The explosions and pyrotechnics on display now only gave further proof of that.
Giving her heart a moment to calm down, Sunset left the market.
The shoppes to get the final supplies were easy to find. Though how a furniture-seller was also the same stallion that sold quills, she would never understand.
---
With an empty list and a full pack, Sunset walked into the Map Room. She removed her bag and set it on the table. “Spike?” she called out.
The little dragon came running from down the hall. “All done?”
“Yep!” Sunset puffed her chest, happy to have been done earlier than Spike had estimated, “Here's your change. So, what's next?”
“Um... nothing” Spike said, inspecting the items of Sunset's pack. “You're done.”
“Wait,” Sunset's eyebrows shot up, “that was it?”
“Yep! You have no idea how much this helps. Thanks!” The little dragon gave a broad grin.
“So, I'm free to go?”
“Yep. Unless you want to help with more stuff later.”
“Um... we'll see. In any case, I'll see you later.”
Perplexed, but relieved to strike an item from her task list, Sunset trotted into the castle foyer and began planning her next chore.
“Oh, Sunset,” Princess Twilight called out, “didn't mean to bother you, you seemed a little deep in thought there.”
“Not really,” the unicorn replied. She turned to see the princess trotting up to her with plated sandwiches in her aura.
“Good. Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to cook dinner tonight. They're still be four of us—I have a friend visiting from Canterlot—and Starlight tells me you seem to know your way about a kitchen.”
“Well...” Sunset pawed the floor. She wasn't going to outright admit that she could do the work of servants. “Just a little.”
“Just think about it and let me know. It'll be a big help.” she let out a nervous chuckle, “And, I trust you not to poison us, or anything.”
“Come now,” Sunset said dryly, “where would be the fun in that?”
Twilight paused. For a moment, she couldn't tell of the pony was only kidding, or being absolutely serious. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Just let me know if you want to do dinner, or not.”
“Let me finish the rest of my chores, and then we'll see.”
“Sounds good to me. By the way, lunch is set out in the kitchen for whenever you're ready. I'll see you later.” With that, she trotted off to the library.
“Oh!” Sunset cried out, “Princess Twilight!”
Twilight turned back. “Yes?”
“Quick question regarding my stuff. I noticed it missing from my saddlebag earlier.”
Twilight nodded. “That's right, I had emptied out your bag so you could take it to the market.”
“I would like like to have my items back. Please?”
“Of course. They're in my office. I'll drop them off in your room.”
“Thank-you.”
---
Twilight let out a sigh as she entered her private library. At a conference table, surrounded by books, sat Moondancer. The studious unicorn was so wrapped up in her research, she barely registered, or acknowledged, the entrance of her friend.
“That good, huh?” Twilight joked, taking an empty space at the table.
“Hm?” Moondancer looked up from her book, “Oh, hey, Twilight.”
“Anything?” Twilight asked as she levitated a sandwich over to Moondancer.
Moondancer hesitated. “I don't know...” She took a bite of her sandwich. “You see these misspelled words?” She pointed to her copy of the scroll, which was riddled with notes.
“Yes?”
“Well, for one, they're not really misspelled, but merely alternate spellings. They only looked misspelled because it's written in a non-standard Old Ponish.”
Twilight's heart dropped. “So, there's not really a secret message.”
“Oh, but there is! Because these words are misspelled.”
“But, you just said—”
“...and that is true!”
“Moondancer, please...” Any other time, Twilight would have enjoyed this beat-around-the-bush game Moondancer often liked to play when trying to show her up. But, Sunset's situation weighed too heavily upon her mind.
“Okay. No, they are not really misspelled because they're written in Old Ponish from the northern lands of what is now the Crystal Empire. However, they are misspelled according to the Old Ponish as it was written in the southern lands, or modern day Canterlot and surrounding area. And, as we know, since Canterlot became the capital and heart of Equestria, and the Crystal Empire went to who-knows-where, the southern version of Old Ponish became the one we know today.
"The reason you don't notice is right away, is that many of the letters of one alphabet look very much like letters from the other. So, what may look like a Q in the southern alphabet, is actually a letter to describe V-V, or W, in the northern.
“But that's not the best part!”
“Joy...”
Moondancer held up the Memory Stone Scroll. She turned it over to reveal the full page of writing. She smiled as she watched her friend's eyes grow wide. Even as school fillies, it was wasn't often that she got to leave Twilight speechless. And Moondancer relished every moment of it.
“Wha-what is this?” Twilight cried.
The bespectacled pony let out a laughed and turned the paper back over. “That's what I got when decoded the front. You see, when I 'correct' a word, let's say borthest (we both know the standard spelling). But, the northern spelling is B-O-U-R-T-H-E-S-T, as seen here. In this case, U is the letter I take out. Another example is here: daggi. You can see, they used a double G where it should have been singular. In this case, this the letter I take. G, when turned upside down, becomes eeng, and eeng translates as the letters I, N, and G.
"Now, naturally, there are going to be some multiple and letters left over. But, if I clean it up, and do some minor reorganizing, I get 'Naeg Hydous Seightus raeten.
Twilight's ears perked. "Hydous Seightus? That's a revealing spell!"
Moondancer nodded and turned to the new document, “This is where the true message is." She pushed the paper forward for her friend to better see.
Twilight frowned as she read. "But, this is nonsensical. These aren't even words!"
"Yep, that's because this is a completely different code.” She looked at the stacks around her. “We're going to need more books.”
"Awwgh..." Twilight sank.
Moondancer cocked her head. “What? You like books.”
“Yeah, but I was hoping more for an answer to the riddle. Not another riddle.”
“I know what you mean. Anyway, looks like you may have to take another trip to the restricted section. Which,” she made a mock pouting face, “thanks for not telling me about it, by the way.”
“Hey!” Twilight cried, “I only just found out about it myself!”
“Whatever...” the other waved in feign disbelief, “Still can't believe there was a whole other section to the library just hiding under our very noses.”
Twilight jumped up, excitedly, “I know, right?”
The two stared each other down in icy glares before cracking into fits of laughter.
“Okay,” Twilight wiped her tears, “just give me a list of what I need to look for.”
---
Sunset stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel with her magic. She released a sigh and stretched. A warm shower after a day's work always felt good. With her chores finally done, she could focus her attention back onto her studies. Or, she wished she could focus on her studies. Whenever she was left alone with her thoughts, something kept nagging her in the back of her mind. She felt it everytime she looked into the mirror; every time Princess Twilight, Starlight, or Spike looked at her. Even with Princess Celestia, she felt something was off. But, it was not exclusive to the waking world. Sights and sounds riddled her dreams--none that she had ever heard, or seen, before. But, when she'd wake, they'd become but a mist.
Wrapping the towel around herself, Sunset stepped out the bathroom and to her bedroom down the hall.
Closing the door behind her, Sunset surveyed the room. Aside from her current situation, by all accounts, she should feel comfortable here. Everything here was designed by her kind for her kind; from the architecture to the furniture. Yet, why did she feel like she didn't belong? Why did she often feel like this body wasn't hers? Sometimes, there were moments when using magic didn't feel right.
As much as these thoughts plagued and troubled her, Sunset also knew that they detracted from her objective. She has been assigned a task, given a mission. And nothing reminded her more than the pile of books on her writing desk.
Earlier, she had collected a few books from Princess Twilight's reading list and was anticipating a little reading time to herself--even if she wasn't too excited about the actual material.
She had declined Twilight's request to cook dinner, citing she wanted to catch up on her studies. However, she did offer to cook on another night.
Sunset hung up the towel to dry and began preparing a little reading nook. She grabbed some extra pillows from the bed and a spare blanket and soon had a little cozy corner that she could curl up in. It wasn't anywhere near what she had in Canterlot, but it sufficed.
She walked over to her desk and grabbed the book at the top, which was also the first book on the list. The Art of Friendship Sunset read the title page, “An overview.” She flipped through the book. “For nearly eight hundred pages, this had better be concise.”
Sunset made herself comfortable on the cushions in her corner. She levitated the book in her magic and kept a pen and paper close by for any notes. She opened the book to the first chapter and began reading.
There were many factors working against the unicorn. Maybe it was the subject matter, or that she made herself a little too comfortable. Maybe it was the weight of the troubles on her mind. Or, perhaps, that she was just plain tired. But, whether it was by one, or a combination, Sunset was soon fast asleep.
For how long she had dozed, she had no clue. Only that some time had passed and somepony was knocking at her bedroom door. She rolled over and stretched with a yawn. “Coming!” she tried to call, but it was no more than a mumble.
“Oh, Sunset!” Princess Twilight looked startled when Sunset opened the door, rubbing her eyes with her hoof, “I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were taking a nap.”
“Not exactly my intention” Sunset replied, sleepiness still in her voice. “Was trying to get some reading done.”
“Oh... Anyway, sorry to throw this on you. But, could you take care of dinner? I've already got things started I just need somepony to watch over it.”
“Um... sure. Why can't you do it?”
Twilight waved a hoof. “Princess business. I need to make a trip to Canterlot and won't be back till morning. Spike is still here, but he's busy with other things.”
“Okay,” Sunset yawned, “as long as I don't have to do much. This day has left me exhausted.”
“Just means you'll sleep well tonight.” Twilight smiled, optimistically.
“I somewhat doubt that.”
“Well, anyway, I had better get going.”
“Princess Twilight?”
“Yes?”
Sunset shifted her weight slightly between her forelegs. This may not have been the right time, but she still had to ask. “My stuff?”
Twilight's eyes grew large. “OH!” she pressed a hoof to her head. “I'm sorry, Sunset, I completely forgot! We'll deal with it when I get back.”
Not entirely the response Sunset wished to hear. However, she acquiesced.
---
Just as Princess Twilight had said, everything needed to complete dinner was already laid out and waiting to be enacted. The butternut squash and accompanying vegetables were happily roasting away in the oven.
Sunset still had to toss the salad, cook and mash the potatoes, and slice the bread. But, those wouldn't need to be done till later.
She was ecstatic when she discovered her peeling spell worked on the potatoes. “Hm...” she chuckled, “Guess the princess isn't as sadistic as I thought. Even if she does flaunt how she gets to go to Canterlot, and not me.”
Cooking the rest of dinner went rather quickly. Sunset still found herself with a little down time and managed to finish the introduction of her book. With perfect timing, Moondancer and Spike walked in just as she began plating.
“Smells good!” the dragon licked his lips.
Sunset raised an eyebrow. “You'll eat just about anything, won't you?”
“Pretty much” Moondancer chuckled, taking as seat at the table, “I've known him practically since he was a hatchling, and there was almost nothing you could give him that he would refuse.”
Sunset levitated Spike his plate. “How long have you been with Princess Twilight?”
“Since forever” Spike replied, “She's the one who hatched me, and pretty much raised me. Oh, by the way, Sunset, Moondancer. Moondancer, Sunset Shimmer.”
Moondancer's ears perked. She was about to say something, but Spike, seeing her reaction, quickly quieted her. Moondancer sank back into her seat. Confident that whatever it was, Spike would explain later.
It was a mostly quiet meal. Small talk fluttered around the table. However, whenever Sunset tried inquiring as to what Moondancer was doing, she was quickly shot down with an “I'm not allowed to talk about it.” Conversely, whenever Moondancer attempted to ask Sunset in-depth questions about school, she was met with a swift, silencing cough from Spike.
As dinner came to a close, Sunset set about clearing the table and prepared to wash the dishes.
“Anypony home?” a voice echoed from the foyer.
“Starlight's back!” Spike smiled, “Sunset, you'd better have a plate handy in case she's hungry.” He jumped down from his seat and ran to the front door. As he arrived, he saw Starlight tipping a porter before bidding him a good night. Just a few feet inside the door, laid a small trunk.
“Princess Celestia sent some things for Sunset” Starlight explained. It arrived yesterday, but got lost in their luggage room. Nopony bothered to see who it might belong to.”
“How did you find it?” asked Moondancer.
Starlight pointed to Sunset's cutie mark painted on top of the chest. “It's kinda hard to miss.”
“Well, I'm sure she'll be happy to have it” said Spike. “We were just finishing up with dinner. I'm having Sunset prepare a plate for you, if you're hungry.”
“Maybe something light” Starlight replied, “I've eaten quite a lot today.”
“Okay. I'll go let her know.” He scampered off towards the kitchen.
“So,” Starlight looked around, “where's Twilight?”
“Canterlot” Moondancer said, “She's making a special trip to the library tonight.”
“More books? As if we didn't have enough... So, I take it you've met Sunset?”
Moondancer nodded. “Why didn't you tell me that's who was staying here?”
The tone in Moondancer's voice gave Starlight a slight pause. “You've heard of Sunset Shimmer?”
“Who hasn't?”
“Twilight, apparently...”
“Her tap dancing crickets and synchronized dancing cats were feats of infamy! Granted, they were later deemed as borderline unethical. So, I can see why not many have heard of them now.”
“How did you?”
“Please,” Moondancer chortled, “Twilight may be a bookworm, but I out-bookworm that bookworm. There are many mentions of her works in the school's records.”
“So, you'd never met Sunset...?”
“What? No,” the other shook her head, “she was gone about a year or two before we started. Twilight and I were in the same class. Odd, though, I wonder how those two met.” Her voice went somber. “Twilight mentioned she had had an accident. Care to elaborate?”
“Not here” Starlight lowered her voice, “Later, when Sunset's not in potential earshot.” She had spotted the amber unicorn emerge from the kitchen. “Oh, hey, Sunset!” she called out, “Look what came in for you.”
Sunset's face lit up when she saw the trunk sitting just inside the castle door. “Yes!” She ran up to the luggage and, promptly, teleported it, and herself, from the foyer.
“Huh...” Starlight snorted, “Why didn't I think of that? Could've saved myself ten Bits.”
---
Sunset set her trunk down near the bed. She fumbled and fiddled with the locks and catches. Though she probably knew all that was within it, she still felt like a foal on Hearth's Warming Eve. Finally, she got it open and flipped the lid. Inside, laid a myriad of treasures.
She dug through a layer of small trinkets; games and puzzles she had always loved; a book of magic riddles; another of adventures in faraway lands. She set all these aside and continued her digging. Finally, she came across what she wanted most. She pulled out two stuffed toys; one a griffon, the other a phoenix. Princess Celestia gave her the griffon shortly after becoming her teacher, but Sunset had always treasured her phoenix. For some reason, she always felt a strong connection to the fire bird. It was also one of the few items she had always had.
The other one was still in the trunk.
With great joy, Sunset pulled out a thick blanket. Sure, it was a bit old and ratty, but it was hers. Like the phoenix, she had always believed it was one of the few items given to her by her parents. When she left the orphanage to live with Princess Celestia, these were the two things she made sure to bring with her. Though the princes offered her newer versions, Sunset couldn't bring herself to part with them.
With a great sigh, Sunset wrapped the blanket around herself. She had outgrown it quite a while ago, but, if she curled up, or laid it on a diagonal, it could still cover her. She took in a deep breath. The blanket smelled clean. Almost as if it were freshly washed.
She sat for a moment, puzzled. The blanket had been washed, and her phoenix and griffon appeared to have been as well. In fact, everything appeared like it had been cleaned before packing. Sure, she wasn't known for keeping the tidiest of rooms, but she never thought of her stuff as that dirty. In fact, she had just gotten into a fight with one of the palace maids over dusting her room. Naturally, the princess sided with the maid, so Sunset's room got cleaned. Sunset frowned as she recalled the incident. "What could have happened over two months to make them do it again?"
Still contemplating, she peered into the trunk to see if there was anything else. All that remained was a small note; from the princess, no doubt. Sunset set that aside to read for later. She placed her games and books back into the trunk and pushed it under the bed.
With a heavy sigh, she took off her blanket and placed it on the bed, setting her stuffed toys on it. At least now, she had something to return to once she finished her chores. And, perhaps, clear her mind from her troubling thoughts.
Feeling a bit better, Sunset trotted out of the bedroom and returned downstairs.