//------------------------------// // Chapter 9. To the Moon and Back // Story: What Moonlight Made Her // by Storybelle //------------------------------// Tea Leaf doesn’t want to admit it, but her hooves are shaking with every step. Goddess, she doesn’t want to lose her job! She loves her job. She needs it so badly, too. If she can’t find work, she’ll have to pack up her things and go all the way back to Manehattan, with her tail between her legs. Imagine what Mother would say. Actually, don’t imagine that. Tea Leaf would rather face a hundred angry princesses than just one disapproving Lace Bonnet. Ok, maybe if she throws herself on the mercy of the princess, Celestia will forgive her. Maybe she and Butter Crumpet shouldn’t have added alcohol to that leftover iced tea and gotten drunk in the palace gardens last Thursday. Maybe she should do her orders on time for once. Alright, and she probably shouldn’t have put cayenne pepper in Lady Slipper’s afternoon carrot juice. Actually, she’s a terrible employee. She should promise to do better. Whatever it is, she should beg forgiveness and vow to be a model employee for the rest of her life. Tea Leaf finally reaches the end of the corridor. There’s no turning back now. Celestia’s private wing is just ahead. If she gets fired, Lady Slipper will become even more insufferable. She had delivered Celestia’s message to Tea Leaf, with the biggest smirk on her face. “Summoned to the princess?” she’d asked, smugness seeping out of every pore. “Well, that can’t be anything good now, can it?” Finally, Celestia’s door is right in front of her nose. Taking a deep breath, she announces herself to the guards. After a beat, the grand doors swing open to admit her. She really wishes she had some of that peach and vodka iced tea again. The doors shut behind her and Tea Leaf has to admire how smoothly they close. Lady Slipper may be a frustrating nag, but she wasn’t kidding when she said she made sure every hinge in the palace was perfectly oiled. “Come in, Tea Leaf,” says a regal voice. Tea Leaf almost swallows her tongue. “Good afternoon, Princess,” Tea Leaf says and she is glad she can speak without a tremor in her voice. The princess is waiting for her at a charming little breakfast nook, pouring fragrant tea into two matching cups. Tea Leaf tries not to gawk – few ponies ever make it into Celestia’s personal rooms. Everything is simple but elegant, perfect for a princess. The tapestries on the walls, the soft rugs underfoot, even the gossamer curtains suggest quality. Everything is beautiful and golden and…is that a phoenix?! The princess smiles and gestures towards a cushion for Tea Leaf to sit on. Hesitantly, Tea Leaf takes her place. “Here,” Celestia says, levitating over a steaming cup of tea. “Have some camomile tea. It’s my favourite thing on a busy afternoon.” “I’m sorry for taking up your time, Princess,” Tea Leaf says, bowing her head. Out of habit, her hoof reaches out to pull the delicate teacup closer to her, so that she can inhale the sweet scent. Mmm. The princess has good taste. Tea Leaf has studied at the best culinary school in Manehattan, but there’s nothing she loves more than a good cup of tea. “Not at all,” Celestia says, raising her cup to her lips and taking a sip. “My, that’s delicious.” Once they’ve both taken a moment to appreciate the tea, Celestia lowers her mug again. Tea Leaf clutches her mug, awaiting the inevitable dressing down. “Do you enjoy your job, Tea Leaf?” Celestia asks. Tea Leaf nearly chokes in her haste to answer. “Oh, very much, Princess!” Tea Leaf says. Celestia looks at her carefully. “You’re originally from Manehattan, are you not?” Celestia asks. “If I recall, you hadn’t been in Canterlot very long before you applied for a position here at the castle.” Tea Leaf is surprised: if she’s in trouble, this is a very odd way to go about firing her. “Yes, I am, your majesty,” she replies. “My parents and sister still live there.” “Why did you decide to leave?” Celestia says, horn glowing once again. A box of biscuits appears on the table in front of them. Celestis gestures at them, as she opens the box with her magic. “Do help yourself.” Tea Leaf swallows and finds she has no appetite. Not even for garibaldis. “I…well, you see my father owns several restaurants in Manehattan. And my mother…well, I’m not sure what my mother does. Charity work and social gatherings, I guess. It was hard to get a job when everypony in the food industry knew who I was. Actually, it was hard to know that they hired me for my talents and not for who my parents were. But…” Tea Leaf hesitates. She’s already said so much more than she intended to. However, the princess is looking at her knowingly. “But that’s not the only reason you left Manehattan?” Celestia gently probes. Tea Leaf stares up at her kind, understanding face and wonders if everypony who comes in front of her feels like this. An overwhelming urge to run to her hooves, like a small child to their mother. “No, Princess,” Tea Leaf sighs. “I’m afraid I had an argument with my mother not long before I left. I’m afraid she disapproved of some of my…life choices and wanted me to desist. Her goal for me was to finish college, marry a society stallion and spend my days having endless tea parties. Not this…’deviant hobby’ of mine. Her exact words, I believe.” “And you decided to go your own way instead,” Celestia concludes. “That’s very brave of you.” Tea Leaf snorts in reply. “It was a little more like a tantrum than a mature decision, really, Princess,” she says, lifting the cup to her lips. The tea is wonderful and soothing, just cooled enough to drink comfortably. “But yes, I packed my bags and left for a train the next day. I’d heard from a friend that Canterlot was a wonderful place to live. And it has a thriving food industry. So, here I am.” Celestia studies her intently. Tea Leaf only just manages to meet her gaze. But finally, the princess smiles warmly. “Wonderful. Just wonderful,” Celestia tells her, cheerfully. “Now, if you don’t mind, Tea Leaf, I brought you here to ask a favour.” “What?” Tea Leaf asks, stupidly. “You’re not firing me?” It’s Celestia’s turn to look shocked. “Fire you? Goodness, why would I fire you?” Celestia says, shaking her head. “You’re a charming young pony, with great talent. I think you’ll do wonderfully here.” “But Lady Slipper-” Tea Leaf starts and then shuts her mouth with a clack as she gets a grip on herself. She’s not being fired, now is not the time to bring up the pepper incident. “Oh yes, she did complain about her carrot juice being too spicy,” Celestia agrees, with a curious glint in her eyes. “But as there’s no proof of who was responsible, I guess we’ll just have to put that down to a harmless prank.” Tea Leaf feels the corners of her mouth lift with joy. I’m not fired! Even better, the princess knows about the pepper and is letting me off the hook! “That said,” Celestia reminds her, sternly. “As difficult as Lady Slipper can be, she is a marvellous housekeeper. Maybe stick to only using pepper when absolutely necessary?” Tea Leaf ducks her head. “Yes, Princess,” she says, as demurely as she can, while trying to restrain her grin. “Now, about this favour,” Celestia says, unfolding her long, slender legs from under the table. “If you’d like to follow me, please?” Tea Leaf abandons her cup to scramble from her cushion and rush after the princess. They leave the same way Tea Leaf came in, Celestia waving off the guards as they attempt to follow her. “We’ll only be a moment!” she calls back to them. “Expect my return shortly.” The guards nod and resume their stiff position by the door. “Where are we going?” Tea Leaf whispers. Celestia smiles and leads her down a corridor. A minute later, they arrive in front of a much smaller door than the one leading to Celestia’s rooms. It’s plain beech and unpolished, with no sign on the door. Tea Leaf’s mind is spinning with the possibilities. It couldn’t be related to work. If Celestia wanted her to make a special beverage, they’d go to the kitchens, not some backroom in the palace. The door swings open under the influence of Celestia’s magic and Tea Leaf moves inside, mouth opening in shock. A nursery? What in Equestria is a nursery doing inside the palace? The room is small and simple. The walls are a creamy butter-yellow decorated with glittery stars. The curtains are a delicate cream, tied back with orange ribbon. There’s an armoire and a changing table, and a carefully carved crib by the window, all practical and sturdy. Tea Leaf takes in her surroundings, the obvious detail and loving care that went into making this nursery. The stars are a perfect flurry across the ceiling, a replica of the sky outside. The furniture is carefully painted in bright colours suitable for an infant. There’s a cupboard for supplies and a basket in the corner absolutely bursting with toys. A gentle wind comes through the open window, sending the mobile above it spinning. As if drawn to it, Tea Leaf steps closer to the crib. Tucked up, fast asleep, is a tiny orange foal. “Oh!” Tea Leaf cries out, startled. She makes she sure hasn’t disturbed the foal before she sticks her head over the rail to take a closer look. The foal appears to be a filly, slightly round and orange. Tufts of indigo hair fall into her closed eyes and wrap around her hind legs as she sleeps, unaware of the alicorn and Earth mare watching her. All, in all, it was a perfectly ordinary foal. “She’s not yours, is she?” Tea Leaf asks, before she can stop herself. Celestia chuckles quietly. “No, she’s not mine. But she will be my ward. She’s an orphan and she needs a home.” Tea Leaf raises her head and stares up at the princess. Celestia’s pointed look is all she needs. “Me?!” she yelps and then sucks in a breath. Thankfully, the filly sleeps on. “But your highness…why me?” Celestia tilts her head thoughtfully. “To be honest, she could have found a loving home from one of the orphanages here or back in Manehattan. I’m sure there’s many a family who would want a healthy little filly. But you see, this particular child is special.” Tea Leaf looks down again at the foal, who peacefully farts in her sleep. She’s not exactly emitting specialness right now. Celestia seems to realize what Tea Leaf is thinking.  “I know it doesn’t seem like it right now,” Celestia explains, with a grin. “But she will be. She’s going to face hardship and loneliness and doubt. And while I’m sure there are families who could look after her very well, I need somepony who’s going to understand and love her, no matter what. And I think that somepony is you.” Tea Leaf goes back to watching the foal. This is not what she expected. This is motherhood. She’s only twenty-two. How can she suddenly be responsible for a little foal? “Her parents are dead, you say?” Tea Leaf asks. “She has no family to look after her?” Celestia gravely shakes her head. “I’m afraid her parents were murdered.” Tea Leaf suppresses a gasp. Murder in almost unheard of in Equestria. There have been very few cases in history, at least of those done with intent. One day this child will have to be told that her parents are dead at the hooves of another pony. She’ll need love and sympathy and to be told with the utmost care. I might even be the pony to tell her that. “And as for the rest of her family, she has very little,” Celestia continues. “None that can easily care for her. I believe she has an aunt near Los Pegasus. Unfortunately, she has a family of her own and cannot take in little Moon Shadow here.” ‘Moon Shadow. What an odd name for such a bright little filly,’ Tea Leaf thinks. That name would be better suited for a dark coloured Pegasus, not something the shape and colour of a pumpkin. “If it would suit you, there are staff living quarters that you could move into. We have day-care available for when you’re at work.  There’s plenty of help for you, since it’s your first time taking care of a foal,” Celestia says. There seems to be an underlying meaning in there somewhere that Tea Leaf did not – could not – miss. Adoption agencies favoured married couples, not single mares. Having a child of her own in the future might prove difficult. This one is being handed to her, with the princess’ blessing. And (this is something Tea Leaf knows deep in her heart) she has the chance to be the type of mother her own never was. Warm and devoted and supportive, no matter what. Could she pass that up to return to her lonely, empty apartment? “Well?” Celestia prompts. “If you like, I could give you some time to think about it?” Down in the crib, the filly finally wakes up. She yawns sleepily and raises her green eyes up to meet Tea Leaf’s golden ones. For a moment, mare and child stare at each other silently. Tea Leaf leans over to lower a hoof down into the crib. Moon Shadow grabs ahold of it with her tiny forelegs and pulls it up to her mouth. Tea Leaf lets herself be used as a dummy and this time when she speaks, her voice shakes just a bit. “No need,” Tea Leaf tells her. “I’ll be her family from now on.” The morning light is the most terrible thing that Moon Shadow has ever experienced. It isn’t even like in fairy tales where soft golden light slowly wakes up the sleeping princess. It’s more like a thousand suns have decided to burn out Shadow’s eyeballs. So you can’t really blame her when she shrieks and tries to roll away from it. The scream combined with the thump she makes when she lands on the floor brings Lace Bonnet and Feather Duster running. “What in Equestria are you doing?” Lace Bonnet demands, looking furious. She looks a lot like she did when Moon Shadow decided to play dress up as a filly and tore an original Hoity Toity design. Feather on the other hoof, merely looks concerned and rushes over to help Shadow up off the floor. “I’m sorry, Grandmother,” Moon Shadow says, trying to get to her hooves. Feather hooks a foreleg under to try and give her a boost. Shadow’s legs feel like jelly and her head feels even worse. She can’t have been asleep very long. Shadow recognises the pounding headache of exhaustion when prioritizes breakfast with her friends before getting to bed. “I must have fallen out of…” Shadow says but Lace Bonnet dismisses her with a wave and then jabs her hoof at the figure across the room. “Not you, Shadow. Her!” Lace snarls and Shadow turns her head to see a silhouette standing in front of the windows. The light is so blinding it takes her a moment to identify the intruder in her room. “What?” Crème Brule asks, nonchalantly flipping back the drapes.. “Isn’t it time for her to get up? Everypony else has gotten up for the day.” Lace storms across the room to stand muzzle to muzzle with Crème. Feather helps Shadow climb back onto the bed – although, Shadow collapses into it more than anything else. She only got back a few hours ago when the sun was already in the sky and she can’t have had more than a few hours sleep. “My granddaughter works for the night court at Canterlot palace,” Lace informs her chef frostily. “She has a very different sleep schedule to the rest of us and it’s extremely important it is not disrupted during her stay here.” “How was I supposed to know that?” Crème asks. She appears to be chewing on something, either a leaf or gum. She seems entirely unconcerned by her employer’s wrath…and Shadow knows from experience that an angry Lace Bonnet glaring at you from inches away is a terrifying thing. “Maybe you should be in the kitchen where you belong,” Lace says, through gritted teeth. “Doing what I pay you for. I have a very important luncheon today and yet the appetisers aren’t even started! Never mind the fact that you are bothering my granddaughter.” Crème eyes Moon Shadow with a sliver of distaste. “So she is a snotty Canterlot Lady, afta all,” she drawls and Shadow is far too tired to get up to smack her. “Hey!” she protests and then tries to smother a yawn. Already, the soft mattress and plush pillows are calling to her. If only she can sleep a few more hours, she’ll be able to at least make a start on her search. “I sleep during the day but that doesn’t make me snotty!” Feather Duster reaches over to help get her settled back into bed and even pulls the cover up over her. Shadow can’t help but sink into it, her eyes already starting to droop. “Yes, I’ve never heard such impertinence!” Lace says, her voice level rising. “Please return to your station at once and do not disturb Moon Shadow again! She needs her rest and you need to make carrot soup for ten!” “Grandmother, it’s…its fine,” Shadow says, not quite stopping the yawn that appears in the middle of her sentence. “I just want to sleep.” Lace holds her death glare with her employee for a few seconds longer before turning her back on Crème. “Sleep well, dear,” Lace says, as she passes. “You will not be woken again, I assure you.” This last sentence sounds like a thinly veiled threat – something Crème clearly understood, judging by her snort. But Lace manages to exit the room without incident and Crème soon follows. “Sleep well, miss,” Feather murmurs as her magic whisks the curtains closed again. But Moon Shadow is already half asleep and doesn’t hear the maid leave. The second time she wakes is much more pleasant. Shadow stirs underneath the covers, feeling the soft sheets under her limbs as she moves. For once she slept soundly, with no disembodied visitors or terrifying nightmares. Yawning wildly, Shadow slips out of bed to head to the nearest bathroom. However, her mane is not the complete disaster she was expecting. The haircut seems to have tamed her mane and aside from a stray piece or two, it mostly just curls around her neck in soft loose waves. After the initial shock, Shadow can’t help but admire herself. Shadow never manages such a good job when it’s time to cut her hair and while Tea Leaf is slightly better at it, her mother never manages more than a quick, efficient trim. “You might actually be able to pull off being a Canterlot lady now,” Shadow tells her reflection. If she puts on the dress she bought for the gala she might even get a date. Shadow quickly washes her face and brushes her teeth. It’s about noon, she has to get moving before everything in the city closes. She has so much to do and she knows that her time in Manehattan is limited. Running away from everything will not solve her problems - but it can at least buy her some time and, if she’s very lucky, answers. Shadow pauses for just a second to spritz on some scent and to smooth over her hair one last time. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts. Her grandmother’s luncheon is in full swing so Shadow carefully avoids the fancy dining room, tiptoeing past the door as softly as she can. Judging by the clink of cutlery on plates and soft laughter, nopony notices her at all. When she makes it to the living room, she finds Fine Dining drinking a cup of delicious smelling coffee and perusing yet another newspaper. “Good morning, dear!” he says when he spots her. “You’re looking rather lovely today.” “Thank you,” Shadow says, unexpectedly pleased at the compliment. Much like this trip, her new appearance won’t last. Her mane will grow back as wild as ever and her lifestyle will guarantee a slip in coat and hooficure maintenance. “I hear you had a rather interesting wakeup call this morning,” Fine Dining comments, lifting his cup to his lips. But it’s too late and Shadow catches the glimpse of a smile behind the fine china. “Interesting, I think not,” Shadow retorts, throwing herself onto the sofa next to him. “Brutal, considering I had only slept for two hours! Do you know how that feels?” “Extremely unpleasant, I’d wager,” her grandfather acknowledges. “However, it did provide a bit of…well, drama, I believe the young ones call it these days.” “Do you really want drama living with grandmother?” Shadow points out. Judging by his face, probably not. Shadow can’t resist a chuckle at his horrified expression. “It’s fine when it doesn’t involve me! However, I do appreciate things being livened up around here,” he says, turning the page. “This dignified life we lead can get a bit repetitive.” “Do you ever think of retiring?” Shadow asks curiously. Her grandparents are still very active and they involve themselves in a variety of activities. But they are no longer as sprightly as they used to be and one day soon, her grandfather might have to step down from his company. But Fine Dining makes a noise in the back of his throat, one that clearly expresses distaste for any ideas like that. “Not in the slightest! Maybe if I had a worthy successor I’d feel more comfortable taking a step back. However, my only candidate took herself out of the running quite a while ago,” he laments. Shadow’s mouth involuntarily drops open. “Wait. You mean…Mom?” she yelps. “I didn’t know that you’d ever considered it!” “To be honest, dear, I doubt she does,” Fine Dining says, turning another page. He somehow manages to hold a conversation, drink coffee and read the paper all at once. Shadow suspects that this multitasking talent comes from years of living with Lace Bonnet. “She had the skills, the training, the talent to take over. Alas, she fled Manehattan to seek her own path. Not that’s for the worst, of course. She’s done quite well for herself, no matter what your grandmother says. And if she hadn’t left, we wouldn’t have you.” Shadow sits back, trying to imagine it. Tea Leaf, in a crisp apron, pink and gold mane tied up into a professional little bun under a chef’s hat, commanding a whole kitchen. Then a whole restaurant. Fine Dining is right, that’s something Tea Leaf would be good at. Choosing menus, atmosphere, providing a genuinely wonderful dining experience would be where her mother excels. She is firm, kind, a great teacher and inspiring, with a good eye for detail. And yet, Shadow gets the feeling that Tea Leaf is happiest in her nook in Canterlot kitchens, researching drinks for the princess and chatting to pastry chefs, with a smudge of fruit on her cheek. “Do you think Crème Brulee will make me some breakfast or will she murder me with a fork?” Shadow says, instead deciding to change the topic. Fine Dining chuckles. “I think you’ll be fine. She makes some spectacular banana and chocolate chip pancakes.” Shadow’s belly gives a loud grumble. Pancakes sound great. She’ll stay by the door though, just in case that whole fork murder thing comes around. Shadow has forgotten how loud the city is. At night there’s still noise, the bustling and low hum of a city that never sleeps. But here in the light of day, it surrounds her with an endless cacophony. Sellers shout their wares, the wheels of carts rumbling by and everywhere the chatter and music and the buzz that makes up a city like this. For a moment Shadow stands on the pavement, overwhelmed. Canterlot is never like this. But maybe that’s because Canterlot is home and its noises are so familiar to her. But it occurs to Moon Shadow as she sets off in search of a cab that in another life entirely Manehattan would have been her home. She would have been raised here, in a different school with her parents. She’d be able to step out and navigate the busy street with commuters easily and call a cab without a struggle. She’d know where to get the best falafel and have a regular coffee place. ‘Another, different life entirely,’ Shadow thinks, as she is casually bumped by ponies rushing down the street. Not better perhaps…just different. Getting a cab is hell, even though Fine Dining gave her some bits for it. She seems to have picked a bad time of day – it's lunchtime and everypony seems to be doing a mad dash to do their shopping or get some food before they have to return to work. Shadow sighs wearily and looks for the nearest subway station. No doubt her grandparents would disapprove, but she is always conscious of the time ticking away from her. The journey is short, if extremely hot and cramped. Shadow curses her ability to always choose the carriage with a crying foal in it, as she squeezes out of the doors to her stop. She only just manages to avoid it closing on her tail. Manehattan folk don’t seem to understand letting previous passengers off before embarking the train. She was very nearly whisked away to the next station. The air outside is a relief compared to the stuffiness of the underground. Shadow gets a whiff of some delicious coffee and struggles with her urge to go find a cup. She hasn’t slept as much as she should and she’s craving some caffeine and sugar like oxygen. But she manages to curb her desires and set off down the street. Mission first. Coffee later. The street she’s on is fairly upscale with smart boutiques and fancy cafes. There are smart little restaurants that are open for lunch and the smells wafting out nearly makes Shadow’s knees buckle. The pancakes were divine but somehow she could eat all over again. But her hooves keep moving. At least they remember what’s important. And then finally, there it is. The jewellery store in front of her has a luxurious and subtle shop front. The awning is a deep red to match the front door. The window is the highlight however - displays and stands show off a small sample of what the store has to offer, all beautifully illuminated by soft lights that make the jewels sparkle. A small bell chimes as Shadow pushes open the front door. Inside everything is soft and plush and screams of luxury. This is where gentlestallions come to choose a ring for their sweethearts, where mares stare wistfully at bright diamonds, warm rubies and dazzling emeralds and dream of the day they have enough bits for one. Everywhere Shadow looks there is the glitter of silver, gold and platinum from horn rings to bracelets. A few ponies mill around the shop browsing and one young couple are clearly on the hunt for an engagement ring. The mare looks through the glass cabinets with a single minded focus, sure that somewhere in this shop is the perfect ring. A mare stands behind the counter, carefully polishing a diamond ring. When she holds it up to the light it shines but she clearly isn’t satisfied. She’s a stunning mare with a golden coat and tumbling red curls held back off her face with a sparkling diamond clip. She’s turned away but Shadow already knows that her eyes are a warm, bright blue. Shadow raps a hoof gently on the counter. “Be right with you!” the mare trills as she carefully tucks the ring away into a box. The polishing cloth is tucked into a drawer and then the mare turns, with a customer ready smile on her face, which drops the minute she sees Moon Shadow. “Aunt Crystal?” Shadow says. “Shadow!” the mare cries and rushes forward. Shadow finds herself wrapped in a warm, perfume scented embrace…tinged with just a hint of polish. “My darling niece,” Crystal says, pulling back to get a good look at Crystal. “What are you doing here?” Shadow coughs, somewhat aware that the other patrons of the shop are curiously looking at them. “I had hoped to discuss that with you but in a more…private area perhaps?” she says hopefully. Crystal nods immediately. “Of course, of course. Diamond!” she calls into the back of the shop. A young pink mare sticks her head out. “Yes, Crystal?” she says chirpily. This is Diamond Dazzle. Her aunt’s apprentice, Shadow remembers. Pretty, gifted at designing jewellery, little bit forgetful. She once lost a five carat emerald ring and after a full investigation had been launched it turns out she’d left it in an entirely different cabinet. But she designs beautiful pieces and Crystal is more than good enough at managing the business. “I’m going to take my niece upstairs for a little while for a chat about family matters,” Crystal explains. “Could you watch the store for an hour?” “Of course,” Diamond says, trotting through. Crystal nods to Shadow and then vanishes through the red velvet curtain separating the back of the store from the shop floor. Shadow hesitantly follows her. “is it alright for me to be back here?” she asks. The immediate backroom looks to be the area where Crystal and Diamond design and make their jewellery. Shadow hurriedly moves over to avoid a sharp looking piece of equipment and follows Crystal through a door. Crystal gives a small, tinkling laugh that sounds scarily like Lace Bonnet. Luckily that’s where the familial resemblance ends. “Oh, darling, I own the store,” she says. “It’s absolutely fine. Just up these stairs, dear.” The stairs in question lead up to Crystal’s flat. It is beautifully and tastefully decorated, with rich red armchairs and plush rugs underhoof. The walls are a delicate cream and the floors are hardwood, polished to a beautiful shine. The whole effect works wonderfully together, mixing the luxury of her grandparents’ apartment with Aunt Crystal’s more flamboyant tastes. “Sit down, sweetheart,” Crystal says, gesturing to a plush armchair. “I’ll fetch us some tea.” Shadow sinks into the armchair gratefully, while Crystal vanishes into the kitchen. Shortly the whistle of a kettle can be heard, while Crystal removes cups and saucers. Shadow sighs and rests her head on the arm. She’s feeling a little bit more drained than normal, but that’s too be expected. She uses so much magic in the dream world these days. Long ago, Celestia explained that use of magic in the dream world would exhaust her much quicker than any spells she casts in the day. Combine with that a much shorter sleep than normal and she’s feeling the side effects pretty hard. “Here we go,” Crystal says and Shadow jolts as her aunt walks in with a heavily laden tray. Judging by the drool on her muzzle, she fell asleep briefly. Shadow discreetly rubs her mouth as Crystal sets down the tray and picks up the teapot. “Milk and two sugars, if I remember correctly?” Crystal says, carefully pouring hot tea into a china mug. “Please,” Shadow says. In goes a swirl of milk and two large sugar cubes. Shadow waits until Crystal has her cup and is sitting down before taking her first sip. “So, what are you doing here, my lovely?” Crystal asks, inhaling the scent of her tea. “I can tell that you’ve already been to my parents’ house,” she says, raising an eyebrow at Shadow’s mane. “Feather Duster soft of attacked me with a loofah and scissors,” Shadow admits. “Does it look alright?” “It looks lovely,” Crystal assures her. “My, if we go out for dinner, I have some stunning amethyst pieces you could wear. But I suspect that’s not what you came here to talk to me about. What brings you to Manehattan?” “I came to find out about my birth parents,” Shadow says, without hesitation. “And I was hoping to use your help.” Crystal’s eyes had widened at Shadow’s first sentence and then got bigger still. “Me?” Crystal asks sceptically. “What can I do?” “Just…help?” Shadow says with a shrug. “I couldn’t tell Grandma and Grandpa what I was doing here. They’d try to understand but I think they’d be hurt. Mom’s away in Ponyville right now and I just can’t bear to do this by myself.” “Oh, darling,” Crystal’s eyes soften. “Of course not. That’s a very brave thing you’re doing. What brought this on?” “I just don’t know anything about them,” Shadow says and immediately feels bad for lying. But the alternative is to tell her aunt that a dead mare hinted in a dream that Celestia has fudged the truth about her parents and her early life. It's probably better to lie. “Well, I suppose you don’t,” Crystal says thoughtfully. “Do you have any ideas on where to start?” “The orphanage is the only lead I have,” Shadow admits. “Mom doesn’t know very much more than that.” “Which orphanage is that?” Crystal says, eye flicking to the expensive looking clock on the mantelpiece. “If you’re quick you might be able to get there in time today.” “Prim Petal’s Orphanage for colts and fillies?” Shadow says. She’d looked up the location on the map earlier. It’s a decent length train ride but Shadow could be there and back in reasonable time. “Ah. Yes, family run, I believe,” says Crystal. “It was started a hundred years ago by the original Prim Petal. Run by one of her ancestors now. Hopefully somepony there can help you.” “If I’m lucky, maybe somepony there remembers me,” Shadow says, gulping down her tea and resisting pulling a face at the temperature. “That would be lucky,” Crystal says. “But I don’t know if you’ll be so lucky. It’s been nineteen years, after all.” Crystal escorts Shadow downstairs and out of the shop, giving her a big hug at the door. “Take care, my dear,” Crystal says while Shadow is smothered by mounds of crimson, strawberry scented hair. “I will,” Shadow promises. Crystal steps away, giving her a small smile as she does so. “Good luck!” Crystal says before turning and stepping back into her shop. Shadow watches her go and then pulls herself up. Enough side quests. Time to move on. Prim Petal’s Orphanage for fillies. It’s a place she doesn’t remember and she’s not sure if it’s right or downright terrifying that she’s returning there. This may be a total waste of her time. Crystal is right: it’s been nineteen years. That’s a very long time and she can’t hinge all her hopes that somepony there will remember her. But as she has nothing to lose she sets off in search of a large latte and blueberry muffin to take on the subway with her.