“This has been one long week,” Headmare Starlight said at her desk, propping her head up with one of her hooves. She was looking at all of the papers that were scattered across its surface. Due to the events that had transpired over the election, the new policies that were enacted and shut down, and finally the dissolution of the entire student government, the paperwork that had to be done seemed endless.
“Ya know, I was just saying something about that!” Smolder commented from the other side of the desk.
“Less talk, more finishing the paperwork,” Starlight said as she used her magic to use the quill to fill out yet another piece of parchment.
“I’m still not entirely sure why both Smolder and I are here to assist you with all of this paperwork,” Ocellus stated with a hint of confusion.
Starlight gave a brief glare, “Because the two of you were the ones that helped create this administrative nightmare for me, and you are going to have to deal with it. Also, because I said so.” She turned her attention back to the paper in front of her, scribbling something upon it.
The dragon shrugged as she stacked a few of the pages she finished together into a neat stack. “You know, I could just burn all of these and we can call it a day,” Smolder joked.
Ocellus sighed as she moved onto what looked like one of the last few pages, “Please, I’m not in the mood for any jokes. I already have a massive headache from all of this. I think all of this has turned me off from politics forever.”
The ears on Starlight’s head perked up slightly, “Hey now, don’t let this stop you from caring about politics. This is just a really bad example. Like, a seriously bad example.”
Smolder’s nostrils flared a little as she could take the hint.
The Headmare continued, “But good individuals in office can do amazing work for the masses, assisting those in need. However, put some creature who doesn’t know what they are doing and….” Starlight’s tired gaze turned to Smolder.
“Hey, I get it!” Smolder cried out, “You don’t have to kick me while I’m down!”
“Your heart was in the right place, Smolder. Your brain on the other hoof, I’m not so sure,” Starlight insisted.
Ocellus couldn’t help but laugh to herself as she watched Starlight and Smolder exchange words.
Smolder simply crossed her limbs in a huff.
“But what about what you said yesterday in the auditorium, about how democracy doesn’t work and the like?” Ocellus asked.
“That was just me being frustrated about everything that happened with the whole crazy election. I certainly wonder if Twilight Sparkle had to deal with issues like this,” Starlight thought aloud as she leaned back in her chair to take a quick break from the papers. She started to trail off, “I accepted all of these roles at the School of Friendship to teach and help mold young minds….”
The dragon started to sort the scattered papers into the various piles, “Is this how you imagined it all turning out?”
“No. Not by a longshot,” Headmare Starlight quickly answered.
The three continued working upon the papers. Because of the amount of paperwork, Headmare Starlight had taken both Ocellus and Smolder out of their Friday classes to assist her as their punishment. While it was daunting work and it took them almost the entire day from morning, they were close to finishing the work.
“I see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Starlight flatly spoke as she finished yet another paper and reached for her stack, which only had a few pieces of parchment left.
“I’m almost done too,” Smolder said, placing one of her papers in one of the stacks.
“Done!” Ocellus claimed as she placed the last paper in a stack. She stretched her limbs upwards and yawned, “Such a bureaucratic process!”
“That’s part of being a grown up,” Starlight commented as she moved on to her next paper.
Shortly after that exchange, all three of them finished their paperwork and had organized it properly. Together, they all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
“We did it! Haha, in your face!” Smolder claimed victory as she leaned back into the seat.
Starlight also leaned back into her seat. She opened up her desk as she spoke, “Smolder, that’s not the kind of attitude you should have right now. You’re still in big trouble for all the anarchy you created.”
“But everything she did was technically allowed in the school’s charter,” Ocellus pointed out.
“Doesn’t matter. And speaking of which, both of you will need to retrieve the charter,” Starlight said, still shuffling through her desk drawers.
“Eh, I’m sure Gallus still has it,” Smolder brushed it off.
As she sunk into her seat like the other two, Ocellus thought aloud in a worn out tone, “Looking back on this weird week is just exhausting. Is there a lesson here that I’m missing?”
“If there is,” Smolder also gave a tired sigh, “I don’t know or care enough to know. Being in charge was way too much work.”
“This has been a very unsatisfying endeavor,” Ocellus responded.
Finally finding what she was looking for, Starlight pulled a flask out of the desk. She unscrewed the top and spoke before she took a drink, “Good, you’re both learning. Welcome to adulthood.”
The action of her drinking caught the attention of both Ocellus and Smolder.
“Hey, Headmare Glimmer? What’s in that flask you keep drinking out of?” Ocellus asked.
“Patience. It’s patience to deal with this job,” Starlight replied. She screwed the top back on as she stood up. “I’ll take care of the filling of all these forms. I do appreciate the help.”
“Eh, least I can do,” Smolder said as she stood up. Ocellus did the same.
A small smile appeared on Starlight’s face as she motioned for the two of them to leave, “Now get on out of here, the two of you are done with the punishment. I think you’ve both suffered enough.”
Both Smolder and Ocellus left Headmare Starlight’s office and started making their way through the hallways of the school.
“Hey, Ocellus? For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for everything,” Smolder said, trying to avoid eye contact with her friend.
“For what exactly? The lack of effort and interest, the going mad with power, or the creating absolute chaos with all the unnecessary changes throughout the entire school?” Ocellus listed with a smirk.
“Uhh, D; all of the above?”
The two shared a laugh together.
“I really do mean it, I was absolutely stupid with how I acted.” Smolder said, “Guess the power went to my head and I really just wanted the whole student body to like me.”
Ocellus smiled at the dragon, “It’s alright, I forgive you. It was me who really pushed you to run against me and….I guess it’s what I get for forcing you to do something you didn’t want to do.”
“Well, if it’s all the same, it was kinda fun being class president, even if I did get a little….carried away,” Smolder mused. She then looked at the changeling and asked, “Hey, want to go to the cafeteria and see if they have any of that sheet cake left?”
“I’d like that.”
END