Starlight sat in complete solitude. The lights were dimmed, the air was cool yet comfortable, and a few scented torches were lit around her as to enhance the meditative atmosphere she was trying to set up. A soothing soundtrack of waterfalls and nature sounds, recommended by Fluttershy, emanated from her sound system. She relaxed every muscle in her body to the best of her ability - save for her horn, which she was using to magically levitate herself just a couple inches off the ground.
Meditation was doing wonders not only for her magic, as Twilight put her on this meditation schedule as a part of her advanced magic training, but her mental health as well. She was sleeping better, thinking more clearly, and becoming less and less anxious and... well, wracked with horrible guilt. For just an hour every day, she could clear her mind of all that plagued her and just live in her own little world, where everything was calm and all was right. It was therapeutic for the unicorn.
But that therapy was all too tragically cut off by an unwelcome knock at the door. Starlight huffed in anger. She had told Twilight not to interrupt during her meditation hours, of which the alicorn she shared the castle with was very aware. Disgruntled, she paused her music player, turned on the lights, and opened the door.
"What do you want, Twilight? You know this is my meditation hour," Starlight said rather confrontationally.
"Oh, oops. I'm sorry. I guess I didn't remember to check what time it was. I just needed to ask you something kind of important."
Starlight let out an exasperated sigh. "I'm listening."
"I was just wondering if you could maybe... step out of the castle tomorrow night, maybe for the weekend?" Twilight asked. "Me and the others are having a get-together here, and it's kind of just a thing for the six of us."
"Well, why can't you just have it someplace else?"
"Uh... the castle just feels... right, you know?" Twilight stammered. "I'm also gonna need you to watch over the Crusaders."
"Wait, those little kids? I don't know, I don't do well with responsibility, what with the..."
"Yeah, yeah, I know, the cutie mark thing, but Applejack's brother and grandmare are going to be out of town and I can't find anypony else to watch them during the sleep- uh, gathering. I'm sure you four will get along just fine. They're not babies or anything."
Starlight sighed. "I guess."
"Good. I need you out of this castle by 7 PM tomorrow sharp."
With that, Twilight closed the door. With her meditation for the day effectively ruined, Starlight only knew of one other way to calm her nerves.
"Another one!" Starlight called out to the bartender, who immediately went to work preparing Starlight's next mug of cider.
"So, what's the loser brigade making you babysit their kids for?" asked Trixie, who sat right next to Starlight at the Drunken Pegasus bar, taking a sip of her drink.
"Ugh, they're having some stupid sleepover thing at the castle. I have to watch their three little kids while they're... having... I dunno, tea parties or whatever it is those six do."
"Yeah, Twi's kicking me out too," Spike added, sitting on Starlight's other side with a small cup of hot chocolate.
"Apparently this get-together is so holy and sacred that we can't even be in the same massive castle as her."
Trixie chuckled. "Yeah. Hey, maybe me and Spike can watch these little kids with you."
“Yeah! I know the Crusaders, they’re great. We’ll totally help you out!” Spike chimed in.
“Cider’s up,” the bartender chimed in, giving Starlight her fresh mug.
“Aww, thanks, guys,” Starlight said, levitating the cider to her mouth and taking a big gulp. “You know, we may not be the spirits of the very Elements Of Harmony themselves, but you guys are pretty cool,” she finished, exchanging a hoofbump with her two friends.
“Whoa, watch out there Starlight. Let’s not get too corny and sentimental. What are we, Twilight and her friends?” Trixie said. The group laughed out loud.
Spike’s eyes lit up with inspiration. “Hey, I know! While we’re watching the Crusaders, why don’t we take them out for a night out on the Crystal Empire? As the brave and glorious hero who saved the empire twice,” inspiring a groan from the two unicorns, “I bascially get special treatment around here. I’m sure if I pull some strings right, I could get the six of us a great time free of any charge!”
Starlight considered the offer. “Well, that does sound pretty cool.”
“Come on, Starlight. It’ll be awesome.”
Starlight turned to Trixie. “What do you think?”