Ponywatching

by ThunderTempest


Prompt #528: Concerns

Celestia looked up at the top of the Student's Tower, at the light shining out of the windows. She watched as the light flickered and died, and her keen ears picked out the soft click of the door closing, and the equally soft clip-clop of hooves coming down the ramp.

"How is she, Star?" asked Princess Celestia, once the pony reached the bottom of the ramp.

"Princess Celestia!" exclaimed North Star, the pony who was in charge of Student Care and Admissions at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. She threw herself into a bow before the ruling princess. Princess Celestia sighed to herself, and gestured for the unicorn to rise.

"I've told you before, Star, there is no need for you to bow to me every single time. This is an informal check up. I want to know how my student is doing, specifially outside of her classes."

"She's...driven," said Star, falling into step besides the princess as Celestia headed back towards the palace.

"You say that like it is not a good thing," said Celestia.

"Because I don't believe that it is in this case. She's pushing herself. Twice in the last month I've found her sleeping at her desk, nearly drooling on her books. Most of the time, her lamp burns late into the night, far later than tonight," said Star, "have you assigned her a specific task?"

"Not beyond the usual. She burns through the work I assign her with little trouble."

"She's been dipping further and further into the Archives, and into the more dangerous magics."

"Is she hurting anypony?" asked Celestia, "showing signs of a break?"

Star pondered for a moment, before shaking her head.

"No, Princess. But I am concerned. Sunset is young, powerful and very driven. She is clearly pushing herself in order to accomplish some task, perhaps hoping to impress you."

"How so, Star?"

"Sunset has, at least to me, expressed some dissatisfaction that you are not teaching her all that you know. Perhaps instruction in something more advanced will curb her behaviour somewhat," said Star

"And it may exacerbate it, " mused Celestia, "I have seen her type before - she wants to be the best, and while not strictly a bad motivator, it can lead to bad places."

"I did not mean to criticise you, Princess," began Star, but Princess Celestia cut her off as the two reached the gates of the School for Gifted Unicorns.

"It is quite alright, Star. I will consider your advice before my next lesson with Sunset, and I will try to discuss some of this with her. Now, I believe that it is past both of our bedtimes. Goodnight, North Star," said Princess Celestia, with a quick bow of her head.

"Goodnight, Princess Celestia," replied North Star. Princess Celestia took to wing, soaring back in the direction of her chambers in the castle, sparing a glance back at the dark windows of the Student's Tower, and seeing a faint glow through them. Clearly, Sunset had simply just switched to reading under the covers the minute North Star had left, and Princess Celestia made up her mind.

Perhaps Sunset Shimmer did need something more challenging to keep her occupied.