I would like here to return to my previous point about the question ‘do you believe in magic?.’ Odd as it may seem, I have posed this question to dozens and dozens of creatures across Equestria. Yet even if an answer I receive a no in reply, I find that these creatures do in fact believe in some unseen force. The difference lies in linguistic limitations, or perhaps another word, but the point does stand. There are things we don’t understand in this world and may never will. Call it magic, or another word, but my point stands.
The silence in the room was so thick that Sweetie could have cut it with a knife. She fidgeted in her seat with bated breath, eyes darting from pony to pony as papers shuffled and words were muttered.
Twilight, Rarity, Trixie, Starlight, and Sunset all sat around her, pouring over the papers that Sweetie had distributed.
She tapped her hoof on the table, trying to find a way to silently flush the anxiety from her system. But seeing the furrowed brows and hearing the quiet murmurs of her friends sent it flying back in.
Finally, after far too long, Twilight spoke. “This is… Sweetie, did you do all of this by yourself?”
“No,” Sweetie blurted out, her voice wavering slightly. She quickly cleared her throat and began again. “No, not exactly. I just put together what advice all of you gave me. It was like a, uh, math problem, I guess. Parts of color theory came in handy, along with the pyrotechnics spells Trixie taught me.”
“Yes, I recognize this part here,” Trixie said, tapping a hoof against the paper. “Starlight did voice some… concerns about the scale of this, but treating it like a stage trick could help make it more manageable.”
“The pyrotechnical aspect of it could help with getting it off the ground as well,” Twilight continued. “Fizzlepop could definitely help out with that. But using a focus beam in this manner is probably the most logical way to go about doing this.”
“And the color fluctuation shouldn’t be that much of a problem,” Rarity declared. “Besides, I think that the beauty of the 24k Lush is in the way the colors blend together.”
“Right,” Sunset agreed, “So while it’d be best to get every shade perfect, the end result might not vary as much based on individual streaks.”
“Exactly, darling,” confirmed Rarity. “What do you think then, Starlight?”
Starlight was quiet for a moment. She glanced to her left to catch Trixie’s eyes, but Trixie quickly looked away. Finally, she cleared her throat and looked at Sweetie. “I think this idea has more merit than I gave you credit for, Sweetie.”
Sweetie perked up at the compliment. “So… so you think it’s possible?”
“I think that overall, the pure power component might still be a problem,” Twilight said, seizing a piece of chalk in her magic and scribbling figures on the blackboard behind her. “But, like you said, I think I have a pretty good network of ponies I can ask.”
“Why don’t Rarity and I help with that?” volunteered Sunset. “We could send out all the letters with Spike. Besides, I’d love to catch up with her!”
“That sounds marvelous, Sunset,” Rarity affirmed. “No complaints from me!”
Trixie stood up from the table, straightening her cape. “The Great and Powerful Trixie shall go speak with Fizzlepop. Trixie is certain our combined knowledge will make this a most magnificent spectacle!” She paused, shooting a glance at Starlight before jerking her head at Sweetie.
Starlight nodded solemnly. “I’ll help you with those calculations, Twilight,” she said.
“Great! Sweetie, you’ve done the hard part, so we’ll take it from here,” Twilight said over her shoulder. “But if we need anything, we’ll be sure to ask you!’
“That’s okay, Twilight,” Sweetie said with a yawn. “I think I could use some rest anyways.”
“Wait, before you go,” Starlight called, coming around the table to her side. She sighed, rubbing one foreleg with the other before speaking. “I’m… sorry about what happened yesterday,” she said. “You really didn’t deserve to see Trixie and me fighting like that. Sunset told me that it really shook you up. It’s no excuse, but I think our emotions just got the better of us.”
Sweetie frowned. “It was… kinda scary. But is there anything I can do?”
“Honestly, Sweetie, I think this little project is exactly what we needed,” Starlight replied with a smile. “Just a distraction from everything that’s stressing us out. And a chance for us to work together again.”
“Are you sure you two will be okay?” Sweetie asked.
“We’re working through it,” promised Starlight, rubbing her eyes.
Sweetie gently took Starlight’s hoof in her own. “I know Trixie cares a lot about you,” she said. “She only wants the best for you.”
“I know. And I want the best for her,” sighed Starlight. “But thank you, Sweetie. You really are a sweetheart.”
The two giggled, before Twilight’s voice pulled them aside. “Starlight, do you mind double checking these numbers for me?”
“On my way!” Starlight called, before shooting one last glance at Sweetie. “Don’t worry, Sweetie. This will be great. I know it.”
Sweetie nodded in reply, and Starlight headed for the blackboard. With a tired sigh, Sweetie glanced around the library, before trotting for the exit. She was pleased to find that there was a fluttery feeling in her chest.