//------------------------------// // What Friends Do // Story: Descendants of the Isle // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Luna dug through her purse. They were having a test in chemistry, she needed that crystal... she knew she’d had it in the hallway… “Looking for this?” Luna looked up to see Mr Matter standing in front of her table, holding the moon crystal in his hoof. He turned and gave a friendly grin to Prince Blueblood, who was smirking back. “Thank you, Blueblood. It’s gratifying to see somecreatures still respect the honor code.” he glared at Luna. “It will be my recommendation that you are expelled.” “M-Mr Matter, I-” “But that isn’t fair!” Luna turned to see Snowdrop. “Obviously she wasn’t cheating, because she didn’t have... whatever that is.” “It’s called a moon crys-” “You’re not helping.” Snowdrop whispered, then raised her voice. “Mr Matter, I think you should return it to her, or I will go to the Headmare about your sexist behavior.” “Sexist behavior, Miss Snowdrop?” “This isn’t the first time you’ve acted unfairly towards mares. We all know that when you called Luna up to the board you were going to say it was a mistake to underestimate fillies, not villains. And last month, you gave Blueblood a mere detention for clearly cheating on a test, when now you’re attempting to expel Luna for allegedly cheating.” “Well, Miss Snowdrop, Blueblood has proof that this… gem can give her the answers.” “Oh really? Did he show you how it works?” “Of course I couldn’t, it only works for her.” Blueblood jabbed a hoof at Luna. “Then on that faulty logic you have no conclusive proof that Luna was cheating. Maybe she just needed another pencil, did you think of that?” Snowdrop said, adjusting the glasses that enabled her to look Mr Matter in the eye. “Actually, I was-” “Luna, please.” Snowdrop shushed her. “Well… alright. If you can pass the test I’ll return your property and let the matter drop.” Mr Matter begrudgingly said, and Luna stared down at the test. Snowdrop nudged her in the side and passed her a pencil. Luna gave her a slight smile and got to work. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna wandered into the courtyard, and saw Snowdrop lying under a tree, reading. She raced over, then levitated her test to stop in front of the pegasus filly's eyes. Snowdrop glanced up, smiling. “B+? Good job!” Snowdrop said “For the first time, it feels like I’m more than just a pretty face.” Luna sighed, sinking down beside Snowdrop. “Shocker.” Snowdrop smiled “I knew that already.” “You were really great in there.” “So were you.” “...Why did you help me, anyway?” Luna asked “It’s what friends do. I know you said no to me about asking you out… but we did agree to be friends. And that means helping you.” Snowdrop then gave her a playful glare. “But you had better not cheat again, or I may not save you next time.” “You know what?” Luna looked down at the test, then up at Snowdrop. “I bet I can get an A on the next test, without the crystal.” “...Maybe we could get together, maybe for a nighttime study session?” Snowdrop suggested “Oh, yes, I love the night!” Luna said, blushing. “Kind of a... whole thing with my mom... but still, I enjoy its peace. Meeting at night would be lovely.” “I enjoy it’s peace too!” Snowdrop added “Of course... before I got these glasses, it didn’t matter to me, day or night. But I loved it being night because I knew it was when everyone else had trouble seeing, like me. And sometimes, I could hear the stars twinkle.” “That’s beautiful Snowdrop. How about this weekend, after school?” Luna suggested “Of course, I’d love to-” “There you are!” Gallus raced up, a snickering Tempest behind him. “Is something wrong?” Luna asked “Not really, it’s just…” Tempest nudged Gallus. “Sandbar just asked me out on... a date.” Gallus said “We can handle this, don’t worry.” Luna said, standing up. She glanced back at Snowdrop. “I’ll see you later, okay? We can work out more about the study session then.” “Alright.” Snowdrop smiled “Come find me later whenever you’re done.” Luna smiled, then leaned down and kissed Snowdrop lightly on the cheek. Luna left with Gallus and a still laughing Tempest. Snowdrop blushed and buried her head in her book. “Let’s see... you look a bit pale… nothing a little blush can’t fix.” Luna said as they walked off. “Makeup on a boy?” Tempest asked incredulously. “Don’t judge, sometimes all you need is a little touch-up. Come on Gallus, let’s head to Temp and I's room and I’ll show you.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Okay, easy on that blush, you don’t want to scare him away.” Tempest said, watching Luna apply a bit of blush to Gallus’ cheeks. “Not that I could... stupid cookie.” Gallus muttered “Please you two, my mom taught me how to apply blush before I could fly. Always use upward strokes.” Luna said “And... done!” Tempest leaned against the dresser as she watched Gallus stand up. He was dressed in a pale blue dress shirt with a golden jacket over top. “Wow…” Gallus breathed “I look…” “Go on, say it.” Luna said “Not terrible.” Gallus said, eliciting a snort of amusement from Tempest and a huff from Luna. They heard a knock at the door and Gallus went to answer it. Sandbar was standing there, smiling softly. He wore a white button up shirt with a sea green jacket over it. “Thought you might be here…” he trailed off as he took in Gallus’ appearance. “Do you... like it?” Gallus asked shyly. “...For the first time I understand the difference between perfect and handsome.” Sandbar said, making Gallus blush. He then held out his hoof. “Ready to go?” “Yeah. Where are we going?” Gallus asked as they left. “You’ll see!” As the door closed behind the two boys, Tempest turned to Luna. “Thanks for agreeing to help him. My mom was never great at beauty tips, then dad took over raising me when she died… and I never had a sister.” Tempest remarked, and Luna glanced up. “Well, you’ve got me.” “You serious?” “We need all the family we can get to pull this off, and Gallus and Pharynx both left behind their real siblings back on the Isle, so yes.” Luna said as she packed away her makeup. “Besides, my mother’s not exactly a barrel of laughs when she doesn’t get her way, just ask Rising Dawn.” “You’re afraid of her?” Tempest asked “Sometimes…” Luna admitted “What about you? Aren’t you scared of your dad?” Tempest sighed and glanced down at her flank, covered by her cloak. “I just want him to be proud of me. He gets so angry when I disappoint him. And he... he’s my dad, so of course he loves me...in his own way…” “Moving on…” Luna said “How about a new outfit for you?” “Get real.” “Oh come on! At least let me touch up that ratty thing!” “No, I like my cloak!” “Pharynx may like what I have in mind~” “Ew! For the last time, I don’t like him!” “Don’t lie.” Luna giggled “Alright, I’ll drop it, for now.” “Thank you.” Tempest sighed, then smirked. “I wonder how Gallus is doing on that date.”