I had just finished replacing the last of the books on the shelves when my new boss called me to the sitting area for a tea break. Sounds childish like a tea party but I don't care, I like good tea. We talked for a while about different things like past jobs, exciting trips we had taken, and other stuff like that. Eventually the questions started to get more personal like family, friends, and dreams. "The parents are doing fine as always, but I normally keep to myself so I never have the chance to make friends. Most find me to be to lifeless just because I don't want to waste my time on what they think is fun. As for dreams? I'm a bit conflicted on that subject." I paused a moment to think about how to word what I was thinking in a nice way. "I at one point wanted to join the local guard and to protect others, but I decided against it because of my parents constant reminders of how worried they would be if I joined. Now? The only thing I really enjoy doing is creating, rather it be writing stories or building things. I'm not sure I can really do anything with that though."
The old mare sipped her tea while holding the cup in her unstable magic before she placed it back on the table to talk. "Have you ever considered trying your hoof at becoming a published writer? I know some ponies that are always looking for fresh new minds to publish."
"I've thought about it in the past and thanks for the offer but I don't really like attention all that much. If I somehow became well know and others recognized me I'd have to move again." I actually kind of like it here most of the snobby ponies ignore me and leave me alone. I'm happy for that, it's going to be bad enough later on if my plans work out. "How about you? Do you have any family around here?"
"None here. My children ran off to see the world and the last I heard from them they were in the griffon kingdom. I'm just glad they are sticking together, it helps ease this old heart knowing they are looking out for each other. Their father passed a few years ago, I miss him so much. Dusty was a wonderful stallion and an amazing father to the boys, he was a wonderful help around the library. He always told me I shouldn't rely on my magic to do everything because it would be a hindrance to me once the ability started to fade with age." With a look of sadness and regret she tried to pick up her tea again only for it to wobble in place never making it off the table. "I should have listened to him. I would pass the advise to you but it seems you already know it. I don't believe i've seen you use magic once all evening. Pardon this old mare's curiosity but why haven't you used magic? You could have been finished with all the books in seconds."
This mare is smarter than she seems. The way she spoke seemed almost accusatory, as if she knew something but wanted confirmation. I sighed at the thought that my new boss could read me so easily. "I would have used my magic, but I don't know how. I can't even move a piece of paper let alone a whole book."
She wore a surprised look on her face like she couldn't believe that I, a unicorn, didn't know how to use magic. "How?"
Her question wasn't really fully formed but I understood her meaning. "Neither of my parents are magic wielders so I never had anyone who could teach me." Again that's not a lie, It's just not the whole truth. "However I hope to find a teacher who can help me learn while I'm here."
"I could teach you!" She said with a bright smile. "I had always hoped to have a unicorn foal with Dusty but the boys are both pegasi so I have never been able to pass on my knowledge of magic. If you'll allow, I'd like to be the one to teach you!"
With the excited look on her face how could I refuse.
Two Hours Later
I lay frustrated on the floor after making absolutely no progress whatsoever with my magic. Ms.Binding even decided to call it a day but she never lost her happy smile. She told me to stay and practice as long as I wanted but warned me that if it got too dark I wouldn't be able to find my way to where I was staying. Apparently Canterlot was nearly pitch black once the sun went down. I however 'forgot' to mention that I had nowhere to go and no money to stay anywhere, but she did say that I could stay as long as I wanted to practice. So that's what I'd do, 'practice' my magic until i 'accidentally' fell asleep in the library. I don't really like using her kindness like this but I'd rather not stay outside in a city like this.
Strangely enough I found a really comfy big pillow in a corner to use for a temporary bed. This was not how I expected my first day in Equestria to go, but it could have been worse. I lay down to get some sleep for an early start tomorrow hoping that I can learn how to use this useless bone on my forehead for more than just decoration.
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"Twilight my faithful student, you needn't worry of such things. You know I trust you completely, but you simply must stop reading from all those dusty old books. There's more to life than just studying all the time so I must ask you to see to the preparations for the summer sun festival that is going to be held in Ponyville this year. Can i trust you to handle this for me Twilight?" Celestia hated sending Twilight away so close to Luna's return but she had no choice. The young mare was going to grow old worrying about things she read in books. Regardless of the fact that she stumbled upon one of the last traces of evidence suggesting Nightmare Moon's return, Celestia didn't need her to snoop around for any more. 'He' would take care of Nightmare Moon and finally save her sister Luna.
"Yes Princess, you can count on me. What will you do about Nightm-" Twilight stopped at the Princess's raised hoof.
"I also have another objective for you. I want you to make friends. You'll be staying in the towns library during your time there. I'll have a chariot bring you there in the morning." Celestia said with a smile. She hoped that would keep her student busy and out of harms way.
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"ugh.. Why does my head hurt so much?" I groggily said to myself as I awoke the next morning. A quick look outside told me that my internal clock was still working, it was just starting to turn dawn. As I stood to stretch I heard movement from Ms.Binding's room. I quickly returned the pillow to where I had found it and quickly ran towards the door and waited to make it seem as though I had just arrived when she walked in.
"Nice try Graphite, I saw you sleeping here last night." Damn. I forgot that my new boss isn't a total moron like my last one. "If you need somewhere to stay, you can sleep in my sons room. Consider it part of your payment for working here and helping me." Damn that old woman and her smile.
"You really can see right through me can't you." It was more of a statement than a question but she nodded her head anyway. "Well I can't exactly say no. It will be much easier than finding somewhere with cheap rent and having to travel back and forth."
"Have you started practicing yet today? You already finished all the returns that I had let build up so we should be free to practice your magic all day today." I was about to ask if I could take a walk around the block to wake up but she suddenly got an excited look on her face and continued. "The summer sun festival is tomorrow morning! We might be able to make it if we get to the train early. I've seen it many times already but we could go watch if you would like. I think its being held in Ponyville this year."
I stood silent for a moment thinking about everything I had seen and heard since I arrived. Twilight is here in Canterlot without her group of friends, the summer sun festival is being hosted by Ponyville, and I've heard no mention of Princess Luna since I have been here. "The first episode." I spoke aloud by accident. "Uh, If its alright with you I'd rather we just stay and practice my magic." I don't want to be anywhere near Ponyville during this event or more specifically Nightmare Moon. Especially since I have no way to Protect myself.
She gave me a confused look, most likely because of my hesitation in answering but she agreed without any questions. We spent most of the day talking about magic with me understanding very little and her reassuring me that It would all make sense eventually. We took a break from my studies whenever another pony would come in searching for a book or returning one and I would take the time to try to concentrate on levitating a quill. Many hours and multiple headaches later I still haven't even gotten my horn to glow. I was starting to think that because I was a human turned pony that I simply could not use magic. Then I remembered Thief flying like it was nothing, and if I'm remembering correctly that also requires magic for it to be possible. Therefore I should also be capable of using magic, but I just can't 'feel' my magic like Ms.Binding said I should.
"Is there some way another unicorn could help me feel my magic? Say if they were to use their magic on me, shouldn't I be able to feel theirs and use that feeling to help me find my own? As it is now I don't have any idea what I'm looking for." The frustration was starting to help me think of possible solutions to my problem. I'm weird like that, the more annoyed I am the better I can understand the problem and think of solutions.
"Actually yes that is something that can and has been done in the past, but normally it is only used when a unicorn has had a magical backlash which can obscure their ability to feel their magic and cause them to forget how to conjure it. However I'm sorry to say that I cannot help with that. For this to work the unicorn with the ability to use magic must be of a similar or greater level of magical power. Even in my prime I could never measure up to your level of magic."
"Wait, how do you know how much magic I have when I can't even use it?" I said confused yet again.
"Even with as little magic as I have now, I can sense how much magic you hold. Unicorns can always sense the magic around them once they know what to look for. You Mr.Quill have huge potential. For instance you could easily hold you own against Princess Celestia's own star pupil Twilight Sparkle."