“…And you’ll be pleased to know that Professor Fluttershy gave a glowing evaluation on your end-of-term Kindness project,” said Twilight. She flipped through several sheets on her desk, pulling out one with a lovely cursive signature on it typical of pegasus wing writing. With a glow of purple magic, it floated across the desk. “She thought your answer to the best way to approach a manticore was especially top-notch.”
“Really?” Clutching the sheet tightly in her talons, Silverstream leaned forward across the desk. “Because you see, I wasn’t sure it was the best way. I mean, who can say, I’ve never met a manticore, and they’re supposed to be really dangerous! All we had to go on was the trial Professor Fluttershy had us do with Mr. Harry!”
It was at that point Silverstream discerned she had gotten so close to Twilight that the Headmare was leaning back almost as much as Silverstream was leaning forward. Noticing the beads of sweat trickling down Twilight’s face – that meant she was nervous, or this was a bit awkward, Silverstream recalled – she leaned back into the chair, taking a brief breath to calm down.
“I mean… that’s very kind of her to say.” Twilight giggled at these words, leaving Silverstream puzzled, her beak scrunched up, until the meaning of what she’d just said hit her. Letting out a little giggle of her own, Silverstream gathered herself as Twilight levitated out one last sheet, and levitated it across.
“Here’s your report card, Silverstream.” Taking it gently, Silverstream gave it a look over, even though she already knew all her grades. “You still need to work a little harder in Loyalty, but Professor Dash says you’ve shown remarkable improvement this term.”
“Ooh, thanks, Headmare Twilight!” Silverstream almost shot up to the ceiling, but she somehow managed to keep in her seat. “I can’t wait to show this to my mom and dad and brother, they’ll be so proud!” Twilight only smiled warmly across the desk – it was almost as though she still vividly recalled the excitement of sharing one’s school results with one’s family, Silverstream mused.
Twilight started to fold the books of sheets on her desk back over. Sensing the review was done, Silverstream set her report card down as she gathered up her various papers and reports.
“So, are you looking forward to the Three Days of Freedom Celebration back on Mount Aris?”
“Oh, I am! I really, really am!” Silverstream placed her various Laughter papers at the stack’s bottom, reasoning that was best for her longest and thickest reports, so she could carry it easier. “Do you know this is only our second year where it’s three days long instead of one? And since me and my friends all spent last year here for Hearth’s Warming, it’s my first time!”
“Yes, I remember,” chuckled Twilight, organizing the reports on her desk. Presumably for whichever creature was next, deduced Silverstream. “I was there, after all.”
“Oh! Thanks again for defeating the Storm King!” This time, Silverstream forewent the social norms she had learned so many of in such a short span of time, and flew across the desk, pulling Twilight into a tight hug. “I know it hasn’t even been two years, but our lives are so much better! We can never thank you and the other Professors enough!”
“No problem… Glad we could help…” Silverstream felt a soft tug of telekinesis pull her off and gently set her back in her chair. Despite that, though, other than regaining her breath, Twilight didn’t seem to have minded the breach of personal space at all. Perhaps she really did know how much it meant to them. With a smile, Silverstream quickly finished stacking her papers, and, struggling slightly under the weight, flew out of her seat towards the door.
“Happy holidays, Silverstream!” As the door opened for her in a brief purple glow, Silverstream looked back to witness Twilight smiling as she gave a short wave. “Say hello to Sky Beak, Ocean Flow and Terramar for me! Oh, and Queen Novo and Princess Skystar too!”
“I will!” Unable to respond with a wave of her own, Silverstream instead gave her tail a little shake – happily, Twilight seemed amused by this. “Thanks, Headmare Twilight!” Giving one last smile, Silverstream flew out of the office, heading back to her dorm.
“Hearth’s Warming Eve is here once again,” sang Silverstream quietly under her breath as she flew through the school’s corridors, laden with festive decorations. Normally, the long distance between Twilight’s office and the dormitories would have dragged, but right now, Silverstream was so happy she enjoyed every moment of it.
School was nearly out! As fun as learning about friendship was, it was nice to get some time off. And the Three Days of Freedom Celebration was nearly here! All those times it had been a meek, one-day affair, where all they had to do were the same activities they did all year round while hiding from the Storm King… and now it was so much more! Silverstream had read the tourism books explaining the new… itinerary, right, that was the word! – of the holiday countless times, but now she’d experience it for herself!
And the best part was, she’d experience it all with her family! In between the Celebration’s activities, Dad would regale them with all the stories of him and his buddies in the Hippogriff Navy. Silverstream knew Mom had no shortage of funny and embarrassing gossip she’d have picked up from the other seaponies. And as for Little Terramar – Silverstream gave her head a little shake, remembering he wasn’t so little anymore, to which a passing pegasus student looked at her oddly – Silverstream had plenty of gentle teasing planned there.
And lo! The things Silverstream had planned! Her smile stretched so wide her beak threatened to split from the pressure. She would tell them more about her friends, and the things she had learned from them. Then there were all the new things about friendship and Equestria. In the last year, Silverstream had become a big fan of the Wonderbolts, and while Rainbow Dash had kick-started that fascination, Silverstream knew it endured because of her own interest. A group of ponies who made a career out of flying and cool stunts? No wonder Rainbow Dash had wanted to be one her whole life!
And last, but certainly not least, she thought as she reached the door to her dormitory, there was her performance in classes. Oh, Mom and Dad would be so proud when she showed them her report card!
Silverstream had only just nudged the door open and hovered in, when she realized what she had just thought. Surely she hadn’t… She set down the stack of papers on her bed and started flipping through it frantically. Honesty homework, Loyalty questions, Generosity fieldwork, Kindness report… But it was only as Silverstream finished with the Laughter papers that it properly hit her.
“I must have left my report card in Headmare Twilight’s office!” Sparing only enough time to close her door gently – she knew from experience how the neighbors didn’t appreciate a loud door slam echoing through the walls – she flew back through the corridors with undue speed. Silverstream found that by telling herself this flight was early practice for her Wonderbolts tryout years down the line – a very comforting half-truth, as things went – she managed to keep her focus off of the fact of having left her report there in the first place.
In barely a quarter of the time, she’d finished the return journey, landing by the closed office doors. She approached with a swift gait, about to knock with the knuckles of her talon, when something caught the attention of her ear.
“Here’s your report card.” Pausing slightly, Silverstream leaned in. With her ear angled close to the wood, she could just about make out the distinctive sound of Twilight’s magic cutting out. “So, any holiday plans? My brother, sister-in-law and niece are coming all the way from the Crystal Empire!”
Silverstream almost smacked her head. Of course Twilight still had more end-of-term reviews to conduct! Silverstream made to double back, intent on waiting by the corner, but before she had gotten more than two paces, somecreature else spoke up.
“Eh, not really.” The sound of a familiar avian drawl made Silverstream pause in her retreat, moving closer to the door again. “Things haven’t changed much.”
“They haven’t?” Twilight sounded unusually stunned at this decleration. “But I’d heard the griffons were getting along a little better.”
“Things get exaggerated,” came Gallus’ voice. Silverstream could picture him doing a dismissive wave of his talon with those words. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’ve been trying to use what I’ve learned here to help everygriff to get on better back home, but progress has been slow. The Blue Moon Festival isn’t going to be any different.”
Before Silverstream had time to process this, Twilight was speaking again. “I remember. That’s why you wrecked the Hearth’s Warming Tree last year, so you could spend a little more time with your friends before they all went home.”
“I’m still sorry about that!” Even with nothing for her eyes to pick up, Silverstream had no trouble visualizing the panic in Gallus’ face as he said that. “I know it was the wrong thing to do, and I should have just talked about it, but…”
A pause followed, during which Silverstream could hear the steady clip clop of Twilight walking a few paces. “It’s okay, Gallus.” Was the Headmare holding Gallus’ talon? Silverstream reckoned it was possible. “We forgave you back then, and that still stands now. All ancient history.”
These words put a smile on Silverstream’s face. She supposed it was normal to dwell on your mistakes a little, but it sounded like Twilight had it all in hoof. She turned to leave again.
“It’s not ancient history to me.” Silverstream barely noticed she'd stopped and returned to pressing her ear against the door. “Headmare Twilight?” A few seconds ticked by. “Can I tell you something, if it’ll never leave this office?”
Silverstream didn’t even register Twilight’s response, though it was probably a positive affirmation of some sort. Every muscle in her legs and wings twitched with a desperate urge to leave, to not hear whatever came next, but she seemed to have forgotten how to move.
“I’m really grateful to my friends for staying behind with me last year. But, even though they said they were all okay with it, I could tell they still really missed celebrating their own traditions with their families back home. And I know it’s wrong, but a part of me wishes they could stay with me again this year.”
Another short pause. “I can understand that,” Twilight said softly. There was no anger in her voice, just pure concern and understanding.
“But, the thing is, I’ve been watching them the past few weeks. They’ve all been talking about their holidays at home so much. I’ve never seen Smolder so excited, and that’s saying something. I could never ask any of them to miss it two years in a row.”
“What have you told them when they ask about your holiday plans?”
“Eh, I’ve just said the griffons are getting on better. They’ve heard the same things you have, so they buy it. I know it’s not totally honest, but I don’t want them worrying about me again. They all deserve to celebrate their traditions to the fullest. It’s like, um, what was it Professor Rarity said? Something about, ‘Sometimes being generous to others means putting up with something you yourself would rather avoid, darling.’ She mentioned something about when she got dirty cleaning a garden so she could borrow a flower. Sounded kind of silly, to be honest. But I think the generosity here’s more important than the honesty.”
This declaration was followed by one of the loudest silences Silverstream had ever heard. She probably wouldn’t have noticed anycreature coming right up to her. Thinking quickly, she glanced over her shoulder, but the corridor was still deserted.
“Gallus, that’s a wonderful thing you’re doing for your friends.” There was tangible sincerity in Twilight’s voice. “But it doesn’t mean you have to be lonely for the holidays. You can stay with me and my family instead. The more, the merrier!”
For the first time since she’d gotten there, Silverstream felt like smiling again. It was all going to be okay! Gallus’ bizarre decision to keep this from them didn’t matter, he’d be happy with Twilight and the other Professors!
“Sorry, Headmare Twilight. I can’t do that either.” Faster than a candle being blown out, Silverstream’s smile vanished.
“Don’t worry, it’s no trouble –”
“No, it actually is trouble. You said you had family coming, didn’t you? Not only will you be celebrating with them as well as your friends, you’re all going to be busy catching up with each other, right?” With an audible strain in his throat, Gallus continued. “If I’m there, you’d be dedicating time you could be spending with one another, just so I wouldn’t be lonely. I couldn’t ask you, or the other Professors, or especially your family who doesn’t even know me, to do that. It… it wouldn’t be right.”
This time, there was no response. Silverstream was sure of this, as she could feel her heart thumping in her chest at a speed she hadn’t felt since a close escape from some Storm Creatures several years back. Since then, she’d never ventured near the surface until their defeat.
“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like it, but it’s the way it has to be. It’s like you always say. ‘Friendship isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.’”
“Gallus…” It took Silverstream a moment to realize that had been Twilight, and not her own thoughts inside her head. Silverstream had had no idea. Looking back, it all made sense: Gallus hadn’t sounded all that enthusiastic when the subject of their holiday plans had come up, and especially when, now Silverstream reflected on it, he had brushed their questions off. Was he really willing to have a miserable time, and not tell them, just so they’d have a great time and wouldn’t worry about him?
“Thanks for listening, Headmare Twilight.” There was the distinctive sound of several papers being stacked together. “I needed to say that to somecreature, even if nothing can come of it.”
Silverstream felt the color drain from her face as the unmistakable sound of Gallus’ wings beating grew louder, loud enough that she’d have heard it regardless of her ear’s proximity to the door. Scrambling backward so fast her limbs almost got tangled together, she took off at an even greater speed than she had come here, zipping around the corner just as Twilight’s magic opened her office door. Silverstream didn’t stop her flight even as the distance between her and Gallus grew so great, and it became crystal clear she hadn’t been spotted. She was so focused on separating herself from what she had just overheard that nothing registered in her vision. That is, until she flew into something very solid.
She bounced back, landing painfully on her rump. Once her vision had settled from a good head shake, she saw a light gray and arctic blue changeling in front of her, looking very dizzy, a few papers and books scattered around her.
“Ocellus! Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry!” Silverstream quickly gathered up a few sheets, handing them out as her friend got up.
“That’s… okay, Silverstream,” groaned Ocellus, taking the papers. After handing them over, Silverstream hastened to pick up the rest, darting around with an undue wing speed. “What were you flying so fast for?”
“You’re not going to believe this!” As soon as Silverstream returned the last few sheets, she hovered back, throwing her talons to the air. “I just heard that –”
She felt something catch in her throat. As Ocellus stood there, her insectoid head cocked, Silverstream heard a familiar voice inside her head.
I don’t want them worrying about me again. They all deserve to celebrate their traditions to the fullest.
“Yeah? What did you just hear?” Diverting her attention back to reality, she registered that Ocellus was still there, looking up at her, waiting for an answer.
“Oh! I just heard that, um…” Silverstream’s eyes darted back and forth, while she racked her brain for something suitable. “I… just heard my final grades!” Surely that would stick, it was the truth, after all. “Yep, got really high marks on my Kindness project. Can’t wait to tell my family back home! Anyway, gotta dash, want to get a start on packing. I’ll see you later!”
Before Ocellus, looking very confused, could say anything else, Silverstream bolted, blood still pumping in her ears.
Silverstream found herself pacing listlessly back in the direction of Twilight’s office. She still needed her report card back, after all. But she barely noticed where she was going, as her thoughts were still racing, even now.
It was such a… complex thing Gallus was doing. Feeling lonely about spending the holidays alone and wanting his friends to enjoy their holidays, that was easy to understand. But keeping it secret so they wouldn’t worry about him? So he wouldn’t worry about them worrying about him? And not wanting to stay with Twilight so her holidays wouldn’t be compromised? It was enough to make Silverstream’s head spin.
The worst part? She had no idea what to do. Silverstream couldn’t think of anything she could do without talking to him, and she wasn’t even supposed to know! And she couldn’t ask any of their other friends for help, or it would become their burden too. She already suspected this would weigh on her conscience all holiday, but much like Gallus, she didn’t want it to become any other creature’s burden. Looked like she would have to bear it out. Maybe they could do something for Gallus in the new year. That was all she had.
All too soon, she was back at Twilight’s office. She limply raised her talon to request entry, but paused when she heard a voice making no trouble to keep itself down.
“He really said that he didn’t want to stay with you either because it would mean you, I, our friends and your family would have to accommodate him rather than focusing on each other?” Silverstream’s ear perked up, drawing her to the wood again.
“Yes,” came Twilight’s slow reply. “And get this: he attributed his choice to your lessons. He said, ‘Sometimes being generous to others means putting up with something you yourself would rather avoid, darling.’” Silverstream’s mind almost reeled from processing the reality of Twilight’s dulcet tone imitating Gallus’ scratchy voice imitating Rarity’s cultivated dialect. In any other context, it would have been hilarious. “You used the time you fetched Mistmane’s flower as an example?”
“Well, I suppose that’s… quite flattering,” Rarity said after a pause. “And I am very glad he’s taken what he’s learned in Generosity class to heart. I may have to give him extra credit!”
“Uh, Rarity,” came a third voice, accompanied by the distinctive sound of dragon wings beating to keep afloat – Smolder had been in Silverstream’s life too long by now. “We’re getting sidetracked here.”
“Oh, yes, of course.” A clearing of the throat followed. “Well, good thing you called me, if it’s my lessons he quoted.”
“Yeah,” chuckled Spike. “We certainly don’t need a repeat of the time Pinkie Pie met Cranky.”
“It’s amazing he’s doing this,” continued Rarity, “and were I in his hooves – ah, talons – I’d completely understand, but truly, Twilight, I don’t know what we can do. It would be unfair to disrespect his wishes and let it leave this office, and he clearly doesn’t want our help. From what you told me, he seems set on just enduring this alone.”
The ensuing silence was enough for Silverstream to realize she was overhearing something she shouldn’t be. Drawing herself back up to full height, albeit with a slouched stance, she finally knocked on the door sharply.
Following a trio of surprised grunts, the door opened, Spike floating there. He cocked his head, as did Rarity, standing beside Twilight’s desk. Twilight herself looked slightly less surprised, but still surprised nonetheless.
“Oh, uh… hey, Executive Assistant Spike, Professor Rarity,” Silverstream said sheepishly with a forced grin, waving a talon, before she turned her attention to the alicorn. “Headmare Twilight, I think I left my report card behind.”
“Oh, yes.” Clearly Twilight had noticed herself, for she promptly levitated it from her desk’s corner and across the room in a flash. “I was going to send Spike along with it later.”
“Thank you!” Flashing what she hoped was a warm appreciative smile, Silverstream took the report card, making to leave.
“Wait.” Rarity’s declaration, gentle yet firm, made Silverstream stop in her tracks. Very slowly, she turned around to find all of the room’s occupants looking at her, concerned. “Darling, is something wrong?”
“Wrong? With me?” Silverstream doubled her efforts on her false smile, moving back and forth with a wobbly gait. “Nothing’s wrong! Why would anything be wrong?” But it seemed Applejack’s Honesty classes were working too well, for her flimsy attempt wasn’t fooling any of them.
“If something’s wrong, you can tell us,” added Spike, bobbing over and resting a claw on her shoulder. Miraculously, Silverstream felt calmer already just by his touch. Clearly familiar territory for him. “There’s nothing worse than having to shoulder the burden of a problem alone.”
Oh, if irony could maim. Silverstream paced on the spot, racking her brains for what to do. Her eyes darted from Spike’s gentle look, to Twilight’s soft patience, to Rarity’s outstretched hoof. Feeling their gazes piercing her, she looked around, ready to make an excuse and backpedal out. As she did so, Silverstream’s eyes caught her back talons, standing on the thin line separating the office from the outside corridor.
With the same serenity as resting on the beach back home, all the problems weighing on her mind seemed to dilute, enough for her to focus. Slowly, she stepped forward two paces, moving her hindlegs fully inside the office.
Everything seemed so much clearer now, if only for the next step.
She barely even registered moving sharply to close the office door, nor Spike scooting back to avoid getting knocked sideways. Nonetheless, they waited patiently, sensing her about to speak.
“The thing is… this isn’t the first time I came back for my report card.”
“Is something wrong with it?” An unusual level of panic settled over Twilight’s face, and before Silverstream knew what had happened, her report card levitated across the room, stopping under Twilight’s watchful eye. “I’m sure I transcribed everycreature’s grades perfectly –”
“No, no, it’s fine! I’m very happy with it!” The frantic waving of her talons seemed to be enough to calm Twilight down. It had the opposite effect on Silverstream, with all of them watching patiently again.
“Headmare Twilight, when I came back earlier, I…” Silverstream felt something catch in her throat again. “I…” She leaned forward, trying to force it out, an avian caw squeaking through her neck. They all leaned forward too, equally eager.
“I… overhead you and Gallus talking!”
It only took a moment for these words to sink in, but it was among the more nerve-wracking moments in a day already full of them. Spike scowled, while Rarity looked slightly hurt, mouth ajar, which made Silverstream feel even worse. But it was Twilight’s tight frown that really pierced her feathers.
Thus, Silverstream was surprised when, just as Twilight opened her mouth, she found herself cutting across. “I didn’t mean to hear! Once he started talking about the holidays and how he was feeling, I couldn’t stop listening!” Maybe they sensed Silverstream’s distress, or it showed in her face, because she could see the frowns fading. “And I haven’t told anycreature! I remembered what Gallus said about not wanting this to be any other creature’s burden. It may be mine now… but I won’t make it any other creature’s.” Hoping it would boost her case, she stood up tall, trying to look dignified like those hippogriffs in the Royal Navy.
Silence reigned, though compared to the previous bouts outside the office, this was tranquil. Spike and Rarity turned from Silverstream to Twilight, whose expression remained static. Slowly, she got up, pushed her chair back, and walked around the desk. Every clip of her hooves on the polished floor echoed in the quiet, until she was only a foot away. Nonetheless, Silverstream kept her noble stance. Surely it would help?
“Silverstream.” In a moment, Twilight was smiling proudly. “I can’t say I agree with you having heard, but given that, you’ve done the right thing since.”
“Indeed, darling.” Either through being teachers or best friends, the pair must have had an unspoken agreement to let Twilight start before chiming in, because now Rarity moved up just as close. “Respecting a friend’s desires is always very important.”
“Yeah,” added Spike, rubbing his neck. “We were just talking about that ourselves.”
“Oh, I know, I heard you outside.” Before she’d even registered their shock, she pressed on, all prior hesitation gone. “That’s why I knocked, before I heard too much.” Just as quickly as their frowns had returned, they were gone. Finding their smiles contagious, Silverstream kept pace. “Plus, it’s also why I told you I knew! You already know, so I wasn’t making it anycreature’s burden more than it already is. And like Gallus wanted,” she added in an aside, glancing over her mane at the door, “it never left this office.”
This time, there was no tense wait. Silverstream wasn’t sure what she had expected, but both Twilight and Rarity stepped up, each placing a hoof on a shoulder.
“I'm very proud of you, Silverstream,” Twilight said softly, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
“You not only remembered the friendship lessons you’ve learnt in class,” Rarity said, her eyes watering, “you’ve worked out from them what to do in new and difficult situations.”
“Aw, thank you!” Before they could react, she’d pulled the pair of ponies into a hug, using her wing to draw Spike into the tight squeeze. This time, she could feel them all returning the hugs, as sincere as their words.
“So!” Letting them all go, Silverstream rose slightly off the ground. “What do we do now?”
“Huh?” Twilight stepped back a pace or two, cocking her head as she looked up. “You want us to help Gallus together?”
“Of course!” It was such a relief to know how to proceed forward again. Silverstream could feel it making her hovering practically effortless. “It was so tough, thinking about this alone. But with four of us, that’s –” Silverstream paused, counting on her talons “– four times more likely to come up with something!” Twilight pursed her lips, which shot a small spasm of doubt into Silverstream. Surely she wouldn’t say no?
“Why not, Twilight?” Twilight turned her head, as did Silverstream, seeing Rarity with a contemplative look. “She already knows, and an extra head always helps. Besides, she’s Gallus’ friend. If anyone knows him, she would.”
“Well, okay.” Flashing an approving smile, Twilight returned to her desk. With a squeal of delight, Silverstream approached, with Spike and Rarity moving to its sides.
“The thing is, Gallus is right. My friends and I, we’re really, really looking forward to our holidays back home!” Silverstream could already feel some luster leaving her face at the knowledge of what she was about to say next. “I don’t want Gallus to be alone… but I can’t miss the Three Days of Freedom Celebration again. I just can’t.” Despite being a hippogriff and above land, her cheeks felt wet.
“Darling, it’s okay.” Though Silverstream didn’t look, she felt Rarity gently wiping away a tear off her feathers. “No creature would expect that of you, or anycreature. Even if this is a difficult crossroads, we all have our own priorities.”
“Cross…” Silverstream was sure something snapped inside her skull. Jerking her head up, Silverstream leaned in to Twilight, forgoing the alicorn’s surprise. “Twilight, hadn’t you started teaching us about cross-canceling equations the other week? They’re, uh…” She really wished Ocellus was here. It was she who was good at this sort of thing, not Silverstream. She pounded her head sharply, trying to think.
“They’re when you list all your problems and use a process of… elimination! That’s it!” Silverstream was almost saddened this was remaining in the office, she’d have loved to tell her parents about this epiphany. “You use elimination to cross out your problems until you have the answer! And I know you were teaching them for math, but Ocellus was researching them later, and apparently they can be used for other things too!”
“Very good, Silverstream.” Springing to life as though a fire had been cooked under her, Twilight got up, igniting her horn. A blackboard on wheels rolled out of the corner up to them. “Stepping back to gain some objective distance and listing the obstacles is always a good step. Why don’t you start?” Twilight levitated out a chalk, sporting a grin similar to when she was in the middle of a heavy lecture.
“Oh! Okay, um,” hummed Silverstream. Well, might as well start from the top. “Well, first, Gallus doesn’t want to spend the holidays alone at home.” Twilight nodded sharply, scribbling furiously on the board.
“Second,” chimed in Spike, flying forward and picking up a chalk of his own, “Gallus doesn’t want his friends to know, because he wants them to enjoy their holidays without worrying about him.”
“Spike,” interjected Rarity, giving his wing a gentle tug with her magic. Startled, Spike floated back to hover alongside her. “Let’s let Silverstream have a go first, it’s good practice.” With a small huff Silverstream personally thought was adorable, he folded his arms, glowering.
“Third,” Rarity said with a sharp command in her voice, the chalk Spike had previously held scribbling across the board so fast it almost knocked away Twilight’s. “None of Gallus’ friends, especially Silverstream, want to give up their holidays at home.” Rarity angled her head high, proud as ever, until she registered Spike staring at her with a gobsmacked look Silverstream felt could give Sandbar a run for his bits.
“What?” Rarity shrugged, her smile never leaving her face. “Silverstream said so herself a minute ago, she didn’t need a reminder of that.” Silverstream gave a cheery nod to show she agreed. Spike looked as though to protest, but evidently thought better of it, returning his attention to the board.
“Anything else, Silverstream?” Twilight tapped lightly but sharply on the board with her chalk, and just like that, control returned to the group.
“Yeah, fourth would be,” Silverstream said, pausing for a moment to gather the point coherently. “Gallus doesn’t want me or his friends to make sacrifices in our holidays just for him. Oh, and he doesn’t want you or your friends and family to do so either, Headmare Twilight!” Giving a proud nod, Twilight wrote it up, leaving them with a sizable chunk of points on the board. This was actually kind of fun!
“Fifth!” Silverstream raised her talon, ready to leap up. She remained that way for a few moments, just about perceiving their expectant expressions.
“…Actually, I can’t think of a fifth.” She slumped slightly, her posture slouched enough to bring her to Rarity’s level. It was always weird, being taller than your teachers.
“That’s okay, Silverstream, I think we’ve got everything.” Still holding the chalk, Twilight levitated up a lecture stick alongside it, jabbing it at Spike’s line. “We can cross this off, as Silverstream’s second point means none of Gallus’ other friends can know anyway.” Twilight drew a thick line through the second point on the board. “As long as Silverstream doesn’t let him know she knows!” While Spike gave a puff of a grunt at his insight being rendered negligible, Silverstream nodded her approval. One problem down already. Maybe they were onto something here.
“If I may, darling,” added Rarity, raising a hoof. Smiling, Twilight relinquished her hold on the chalk and lecture stick just as Rarity grabbed them. “As solid as my contribution was, Silverstream’s second point shares a lot of overlap. Gallus wants his friends to have their holidays, and so do they. They’re basically two sides of the same bit!” With that, Rarity drew a semicircular line at both ends of the third and fourth points, connecting them. Silverstream could feel her beak straining from her grin again. They were nearly there!
Several minutes later, however, she had to admit the excitement had worn off. Rarity narrowed her eyes while she cocked her head, as though hoping the board’s contents might make more sense that way. Spike mouthed silently as he flapped near it, running through the points over and over. Twilight, meanwhile, was scribbling small notes furiously at the board’s bottom, then erasing them just as quick.
“I’m sorry, Headmare Twilight, I can’t think of anything!” Silverstream threw her front legs up. “How can any of us help Gallus without making sacrifices in our holidays, and without making him think we’re making sacrifices?”
“They do seem mutually exclusive,” pondered Rarity, turning her head sideways so much it was a wonder she didn’t topple over.
Even Rarity didn’t know what to do? Silverstream buried her beak in her talons. All that work for nothing. Now she’d have her failure at coming up with a solution on her mind over the break too. And worse, Gallus would still be all alone for the holidays. Ever since the incident in the caves below the school, where he’d given her the confidence to face her fear of the Storm King returning, she’d felt that bit closer to him. And now… she couldn’t do anything for him.
“Silverstream, some problems can’t be solved in the classroom.” She felt a hoof, not magic, gently pry her talons off, before the hoof cupped her face up, looking into that of Twilight’s. “Even I can’t puzzle this out easily. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Yeah,” Spike said, throwing his arms up and retracting back to the group. “This really is like a tricky math problem.”
At these words, Silverstream wouldn’t have been surprised if somecreature had lit a candle above her head. Now it all made sense.
“Pearl of Queen Novo!” Sparing not a moment, she flew over to the board, grabbing a chalk. “Headmare Twilight, remember that division you taught us last year? I couldn’t divide a problem, but then you pointed out it actually couldn’t be divided! Not perfectly, anyway.” She noticed a smile creeping up Twilight’s face, and pressed on, excited, scribbling a division workflow on the board. “But you can still divide as best you can, and get a remainder.” Silverstream floated back, showing the result of dividing twenty by three: six, with a remainder of two.
“If a perfect solution isn’t possible,” concluded Silverstream, taking the lecture stick and, with giddy excitement, pointing at the two-and-a-half problems they still had to solve, “what’s the solution that breaks these problems the least?”
Never had Silverstream felt so happy since this had all started as when she watched Twilight smile, then look to Rarity, who grew an equal smile, before she did the same to Spike. Twilight’s eyes were so starry with delight at her workaround, however, that it fell to Rarity to respond.
“Given that stipulation, darling,” she said, taking a step forward as Silverstream landed down, “should we take it you have a plan?”
“I do, and it’s perfect! Well, as perfect as it can be.” Setting down the stick and chalk, Silverstream jogged excitedly in place. “There’s just one difficulty in pulling it off. Headmare Twilight, Executive Assistant Spike?” The pair leaned forward, sporting smiles that could rival those of Silverstream’s, though perhaps not those of Pinkie Pie’s.
“Can you get mail to travel faster than normal?”
Silverstream had been reasonably positive the answer would be yes, but even she wasn’t prepared for Twilight to lean back up with a smug smile on her face. Spike, on the other hand, grinned more than Smolder on their class trip to the Lava Fields.
“Oh yeah,” chuckled Spike as he picked up a quill and a scroll Twilight had levitated over. “We’re kind of experts at that.”
“You guys go on ahead!” Keeping her beak in a forced smile she hoped would fool her friends, Silverstream jerked her talon back in the direction of the dormitories. “I just want to double-check my room, make sure I didn’t miss anything.” The group seemed to take this in their stride, turning around and proceeding away.
As soon as Yona led up the group’s rear, Silverstream took off, though not towards the dormitories. She instead joined a group of ponies headed in the opposite direction, then ducked past them as they reached a fork, flying deeper into the school. As she flew, she glanced everywhere nervously, hoping to find her target before she reached her destination. She may have been flying fast, but it was nothing compared to the speed of her heart. At the rate it was going, she was surprised it hadn’t burst out through her feathers –
In a familiar sensation, she bumped into something very tangible, though this time, she was high enough to reaffirm her flight before hitting the ground. Straightening her earmuffs that had been lodged loose, she saw she had collided with –
“Executive Assistant Spike!” Sure enough, the young dragon was right in front of her, having also steadied his flight quickly – Smolder appeared to have taught him well. Seeing her, Spike relaxed, worry instantly fading for relief. He had been searching for her too.
“Did it…?” The only response she got was the dragon holding out a scroll, his expression unreadable. Quivering with anticipation, Silverstream took it, unwrapping it with shaking talons.
The words went into Silverstream’s eyes, but she barely absorbed any of them as a grin crawled across her features, doubly so once she pulled out a small envelope stuffed inside the scroll. It had worked. She couldn’t believe it, but it had worked. Only one step left now.
When she looked back up, Spike gave her a short nod, a polite indication that it was okay to go. With a squee of joy, she swung him around, giving him a tight hug before she took off. Spike’s role in this had been, and still was, invaluable. He deserved it.
On the return flight, Silverstream was lucky. Enough students had already left for the holidays that there were sparingly few winged creatures still in the school, none of whom were flying as high as her. In no time at all, she had recovered her luggage and was at the main atrium, where –
“Gallus!” Startled, the griffon turned around, just about to fly out the school doors with his bags. Coming in for a landing, Silverstream felt her heart slowing down at a gradual rate, panting as she caught her breath.
“Uh, what’s up, Silverstream?” Gallus raised an eyebrow, pulling at and adjusting the red-and-orange headband above his eyes that matched the scarf wrapped around his neck. Taking a deep breath, Silverstream grabbed his talon, leading him to the side of the main doors. She knew a question was forthcoming, but before he could ask it, she thrust out the envelope. Time seemed to pass slowly as he took it, turning it over, looking at both sides.
“What’s this?” asked Gallus bluntly, holding it to the side.
“Oh, right,” chuckled Silverstream, stifling the laugh with her talon, “there’s no label on it!” Indeed, other than the official seal, there was nothing on the envelope. No wonder he was confused! “It’s an early holiday present for you!”
A moment of pregnant tension followed, before a smile, small but perceptible, crossed his face. So far, so good. “Wow. Thanks.” Pulling his bag close, he reached to open it and stuff the envelope inside, but Silverstream was too quick for him – she gently took his talon again.
“Yeah, this is the kind of present you should open now!” At this news, Gallus didn’t merely raise his eyebrows, he cocked his head, his mouth hanging open. It reminded Silverstream of nothing so much as the way Applejack’s dog had reacted when first brought to their class, upon seeing creatures she evidently had not come across before. Bewilderment, that’s what Gallus was feeling, she realized.
“Ooh, ooh!” Silverstream squealed. Midway through unfolding the envelope, Gallus stopped, and it was almost gratifying to see a familiar, normal eyebrow raise. “Read it out loud!” Gallus paused for a moment, looking around to see if anycreature was nearby, and then shrugged. Flipping the parchment fully open, he began to read, while Silverstream waited patiently. She may have known the general contents inside it, but not the specifics.
“‘In accordance with the newly established tradition of the Three Days of Festival Celebration, Her Majesty Queen Novo, of Mount Aris and Seaquestria, is delighted to extend an invitation to Gallus of Griffonstone…’” Gallus’ words slowed, his flat tone slipping to one of rising surprise. Silverstream, meanwhile, could feel her smile threatening to burst through her beak again. Her mouth felt like Pinkie Pie’s party cannon, loaded with confetti and other party supplies.
“‘…to accompany his friend Silverstream to Mount Aris for the festival, and partake in it with her and her family.’” Very slowly, so slowly that every crinkle in the parchment made itself known, Gallus lowered the invitation, looking back at Silverstream with an expression the hippogriff had to rack her brain to place. Astonishment, she eventually landed on.
“Well?” Silverstream said when the silence dragged on. “What do you think?” Gallus remained frozen for a moment, and then sighed, lowering his head.
“Silverstream, this is really something, but… I can’t accept this.” He handed the parchment back, a sad frown plastered on his face that he didn’t even bother to hide.
“Oh?” Startled, Gallus looked back up, only for his surprise to double when he caught sight of Silverstream putting on her best skepticism, complete with eyebrow raised in a manner he needed no introduction to. Clearly he had expected her to look distraught. “And why’s that?” She hovered slightly off the ground, crossing her front legs, a technique often used by parent hippogriffs and seaponies back home when interrogating their children for answers or information. To judge by the elicited reaction here, it was working.
“Because…” Gallus rubbed his neck, his eyes darting around, to which Silverstream winced slightly. This was the part she most regretted as a side casualty, but the mild discomfort Gallus felt now would be worth the end result tenfold. “Because you’re really looking forward to spending it with your family. I can’t ask you all to take extra time to accommodate me.”
“Ah,” responded Silverstream, returning to her usual comfy attitude of unrelenting giddiness, “but this isn’t just from my family, it’s from Auntie Novo herself!” With a soft landing, she jabbed a nail at the invitation still clutched in her other talon. “The Queen has everything prepared for an extra guest. If you don’t come, all of that would have been for nothing.”
None of Gallus’ previous surprises compared to this, with his mouth hanging open for a long, prolonged moment. Silverstream hadn’t caught him this stunned since his quick turnaround in Loyalty class late last year. She could almost see the cogs ticking away under the headband and tufts of head fur. Just like how Silverstream, with the help of Twilight, Rarity, and Spike, had examined all the problems and figured out the solution with the least casualties, now Gallus too had to make a choice, balancing his desire not to be a burden on any other creature’s holiday against the fact that his presence was expected by the whole Hippogriff kingdom, all the way up to Queen Novo. As Silverstream waited patiently, willing to give him the time he needed, she admitted to herself that, while this was not something she would normally do, there was a certain satisfaction in planning something like this and watching it all play out exactly as she hoped it would.
“Well,” Gallus said eventually, rubbing his neck again slowly, “if the Queen’s expecting it, and everything’s ready… I guess I could come.”
Letting out a squeal to rival Pinkie Pie, Silverstream yanked him into a tight hug, spinning him around, barely registering the griffon’s choked splutters. “Oh, thank you, Gallus, thank you! It’s going to be so much fun! No time to lose!” Breaking from the hug, she rapidly pulled her bags over, stuffing the royal invitation inside. Gallus scarcely had time to grab his own luggage before Silverstream yanked him into a fast flight, streaking out the school doors and into the snowy air.
“Wait!” called out Gallus as the duo flew around one of the spires of the Castle of Friendship, bearing for Ponyville’s center. Silverstream let go of him, allowing the griffon to gather himself, wings beating furiously to keep up. “I’ve got to send a letter to Grampa Gruff saying I won’t be coming!”
“Already taken care of!” Slowing enough for him to catch her, Silverstream fingered in her bags, pulling out a small sealed bottle. “Headmare Twilight gave me some enchanted dragonfire!” Gallus peered close, observing a small green flame inside, darting and dancing all over the bottle. “Isn’t it great? You can write the letter on the train, and then just ignite it with this to send it back to Executive Assistant Spike! He promised to send it straight to Griffonstone – it’ll get there before you would have!”
“Wow,” Gallus said after a moment, watching with eyes wide as she stowed the bottle away. Silverstream tightened her red scarf snugly around her neck, the pair soaring over Town Hall. “You really planned this all out, didn’t you?”
Oh, you have no idea, thought Silverstream as Ponyville’s train station emerged out of the white blanket that seemed to cover the horizon.
The last few hours had passed in a blur. They’d reached the platform with just enough time to tell the rest of their friends, and to bid Sandbar Happy Hearth’s Warming, before departing. The pair had given a more detailed explanation on the Friendship Express to the others, though per Gallus’ secret desire, Silverstream never let on she knew of the turmoil he’d been feeling about the holidays. One by one, though, Yona, Ocellus, and Smolder had all departed to board connecting trains to Yakyakistan, the Changeling Kingdom, and the Dragon Lands.
Now, it was nighttime, their sleeping car empty but for the two of them. Across from her bed, Gallus was snoring loudly, occasionally giving a kick with his back leg, but Silverstream barely noticed, watching the endless sands of the Bone-Dry Desert blur by the window as the train made its way further south.
She knew the solution hadn’t been perfect. At some point or another, Gallus would have to know that she knew. It would be unfair to remain dishonest forever. But generosity was more important here, for both of them. It was hard, balancing different aspects of friendship like this, but if there was one thing Silverstream had learned from Twilight and the other Professors, it was that friendship isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Besides which, the solution may not have been fully perfect – Gallus would still feel like a small hindrance, and some minor effort had been made to accommodate him – but Twilight, Rarity, and Spike had all agreed it was the best possible way, encouraging her to plunge ahead. Gallus wouldn’t spend the holidays alone, and because he was directly invited and expected, he not only wouldn’t be a burden, but he wouldn’t think he’d be a burden either. Like he wanted, his grievances never left Twilight’s office. And the best part, she mused with another beak-breaking smile, was not only did they manage this without Silverstream or any of their friends sacrificing their holidays with their families, but on her first year of the expanded Celebration, she got to share it with a friend.
“Oh, you’re gonna love Mount Aris, Gallus,” whispered Silverstream, watching him slumbering peacefully as she curled up to sleep for the remainder of the journey – it helped when your destination was the last stop. “Griffons’ bodies are so similar to hippogriffs that you’ll have no trouble with all the land activities! And you haven’t lived till you become a seapony, even if only for a day.” She fingered a nail around her purple string necklace, watching her reflection gleaming in the surface of her twirling pearl fragment. “I can’t wait for you to meet Mom and Dad and Terramar and…” Silverstream stifled a yawn, her eyelids drooping. “Cousin Skystar…”
With all the events of the past few days weighing on her mind and body, Silverstream finally drifted off to sleep, while the train hurtled on to Klugetown. Mount Aris was only a few stops further: they’d be there in the morning. And so would a new holiday tradition, all the more special because she was sharing it with a friend who, honestly, needed it more than she did.