//------------------------------// // Hello Night // Story: The Schools of Stalliongrad // by Nadir //------------------------------// It would have been easier had Luna been slower. Had she been slower, she might have still been setting up about now. But no, the small room she used for her students had already been prepared.  The room looked pleasant enough. It was part of her tower, just one of the lower rooms instead of the ones she kept specifically for herself. At its base, it looked like nothing more than a comfortable sitting room, two couches around a table set up with a tea set already, various snacks accompanying the drink as well. A pair of bookshelves ringed one of the couches, the one closest to the wall, cut in a distinctive circular shape to follow the curve of the tower.  That wasn’t really the interesting part of the room, however. No, that was the center of the space, where a great ritual circle had been seared into the floor. It could be changed with her magic, and provided an excellent base for one to channel their magic into. Today, it’d been set up to reflect a focus in prophetic arts, two cushions on either side of it and a small bowl of divining crystals in the center of it. They had no magic fed into them right now, but eventually, when things started to heat up, they’d be full of it, taking whatever magic fed into the circle and running wild with it.  On the other side, a chalkboard with more chalk than one could ever want, another pair of bookshelves, and a cupboard with all sorts of materials hiding in it. A great chandelier hung over the top of the room, wrought silver supporting a dozen or so candles to light up the room perfectly - especially since they were magically enchanted candles set to burn without heat and without wax.  And Luna herself waited, in the same gown from earlier, sitting in front of the tea set and staring at the thing like it would move or change or something that she couldn’t quite figure out. Twilight would be here any moment, and despite having everything prepared, she couldn’t help but feel like she’d missed something. It wasn’t food. Snacks were enough, as Twilight would have already had dinner before coming here and Luna had already had her version of breakfast. Nothing magic related, prophetic arts were more about getting in touch with your inner eye than outside things to spend bits on. Perhaps she should have given the girl more time to settle in? Probably, but time was of the essence, who knew when the prophecy could come true? It could even be tomorrow. The Princess sighed and shook her head, standing from the point and ambling her way over towards the balcony of the room - nearly every room in the tower had one, she never wanted to be away from her citizens for too long. She’d take a moment to look outside, glancing over her city, her paradise, resolving once more to protect it for as long as she lived and as long as she could summon magic to her horn. It would only be a moment, because behind her, a knock sounded at the door. It had to be her. Luna turned, hastening her way over towards the door and pulling it open with a fierce pull of magic, enough that it nearly pulled the thing entirely off its hinges. She’d look down at Twilight, doing her best to smile. It was time. Twilight had tried to sleep, she really had. But who could have slept when they had a meeting with the Princess. The second dinner ended, she’d found her way into bed and tried to sleep. It didn’t come easily, and she spent hours and hours tossing and turning in the bed, rolling around, pulling the blankets around herself. It was both  too hot and too cold, the bed too soft and too hard. Suffice to say Twilight had not slept, and had been afflicted with the bedtime illness that all ponies found themselves afflicted with at least once in their life. Questions had burned through her mind all night. What would she be taught? What Luna was like in person? What would her evening be like?  As the evening rolled around, Twilight found herself rolling out of bed. A groan escaped her, her head aching more than she could honestly admit. So much magic and so little sleep had started to wear on her. But it was okay, once her class was over, she’d have quite a bit of time to sleep before Thaumaturgy in the morning. Her body also ached in the strangest of ways, limbs limp and her barrel sore as could be. Probably from all the magic, but Twilight would deal with it and move on. She dressed in the only clothes that she had, making a mental note to get new ones, settling into the same outfit that she’d traveled in and worked with for so long. The same trek started back up to the castle, this time with saddlebags filled with only paper notebooks and a quill for her to write down anything that the Goddess would say. The trek at night reminded her of the one before. Light snow flurried through the air, coming down around her in the lightest of ways. A simple spell had it divert to either side, pushed off so that it could compile around here rather than wetting her fur and clothes. Belatedly, Twilight realized that she had no idea how to get to Luna’s room - or wherever the Princess aimed to teach her.  The castle loomed ahead of her as she stepped into the courtyard, the guards only giving her nods of acknowledgment this time instead of challenges. Something about that felt good, something about that felt right more than anything. Twilight couldn’t help but smile a thin smile at the thought of it, holding her head all the higher as she walked into the castle.  Of course, nothing had changed in… well, under twenty four hours. The throne room looked the same, with the only difference being the absence of ponies outside the two guards. Different ones this time, ones that Twilight didn’t recognize. However, who Twilight did recognize was Raven, coming from one of the side halls with a scroll in front of her, one that she scribbled across with a levitated quill. The severe looking mare looked up, glancing around and spotting Twilight quite quickly. Over she’d come, prim and proper as always because Raven probably didn’t have another mode.  “Good morning, Miss Sparkle,” Raven started, Twilight picking up the implication that this was morning for Raven and Luna both. “I’m here to escort you to Luna’s tower, please stay close.” With that, Raven turned, looking to lead the way deeper into the castle. Naturally, Twilight followed. Her eyes drifted over the halls as they walked, the lovely stone masonry on the floor was not left unappreciated. As they walked, portraits and vases waited on plinths or hung on the walls, Twilight vaguely recognizing a few of them. A mayor of Stalliongrad there, a captain of the Wonderbolts there, all sorts of famous figures recognized and glorified as portraits in the most hallowed hall of them all.  Doors opened here or there on the way as well, some Twilight could see behind. One, she swore was the kitchen, but she couldn’t verify and frankly the placement made no sense since the great hall, the place for all the feasts and parties, waited on the other side of the castle. Maybe they had something like servant’s tunnels? Twilight would have to explore eventually. It would simply mean not getting caught - probably at least. Maybe Luna let her students roam around the castle freely. I mean, why not? It’s not like things were supposed to be secretive. Just things that she didn’t really need to know. Twilight belatedly realized they’d taken a left, starting to go up a staircase and she’d yet to say even a word to Raven. She should probably fix that. “So, have you worked as the Princess’s assistant for long?” she asked, aiming to strike up conversation. Raven glanced over her shoulder, looking half shocked that somepony had actually said something to her. “Oh, for years. Since before-” Raven cut herself off, considering better on that apparently. “Since before you were born, I’m sure. It’s something of a familiar job, one that we pride ourselves on taking care of with each new generation.” That absolutely fascinated Twilight, despite the way that Raven said it so disinterestedly. “Oh, so it’s a family job! How long has your family been tending to the Princess then?” Twilight asked. They’d reached the third story now, leaving the staircase with only a minor huff and puff going on. Twilight’s body actually seemed quite fit. Trekking across the world to the furthest city in the north would do that to you. Her doughy, student’s body had been replaced by something not quite ripped or strong, but lean and athletic. Distance running and walking came naturally to her now, and combat training would only help it all the more. Raven didn’t turn this time, instead continuing on her journey forward. “Yes. For generations upon generations. My entire family has worked in the castle in some way, I don’t think we’ve even left Stalliongrad in a few hundred years - the same as Luna. Why?” It wasn’t said with malicious intent or distrust, just actual curiosity. Curiosity Twilight could absolutely respect. Curiosity defined Twilight’s life, so what was a little right back to her? “I always wonder about the families who serve their majesties. It must be a great honor to spend so much time around the Princess, and I’m sure that her sister visits too. So I bet you get to see both,” Twilight noted, with a hint of excitement to her voice. Excitement that Raven would squash rather expertly, though unintentionally. “Celestia? No, she hasn’t visited in… goodness, a decade?” Raven mused. “Mind, she did promise to visit later this year, and stay for a while at that. But with the construction of Canterlot ongoing, Celestia hadn’t had the time to come and visit somewhere so far north. Even for the Goddesses, it’s a few day’s journey.” Which really said something because Twilight had lived nearby to Canterlot and it had taken her multiple months to get here. To make the same trip in a couple of days was borderline unbelievable. But Twilight believed it regardless, because if anypony could do it, Celestia and Luna could, bless their names. “I hadn’t heard about any construction,” Twilight admitted, thinking that this conversation actually went quite well. “I lived in the middle of nowhere, a tiny village that nopony really came to. Nopony really left either, save my brother and I. He went over to Canterlot to join the army.” “Oh yes, for quite some time. Something of a disaster hit around a decade ago, a magically enhanced storm that wrecked the palace and most of the upper districts.” Raven had actually gotten into the conversation, something that Twilight considered a massive success. She still sounded prim and proper and didn’t look back, but Twilight guessed that’s just how she was. Nothing wrong with that.  “Celestia has overseen the rebuilding herself. As well as dealt with all of the insurance claims and tax disputes involving the destroyed properties. A complete kerfuffle, if what I’m told is true. But!” Raven went on, stopping in front of another staircase at the corner where two walls met. “This is your stop, Miss Sparkle. Up the stairs, it’ll be the first and only door on the landing. It has been a pleasure.” Raven finished, with a nod of her head. That was quite a bit more than Twilight got last time the two of them had spoken. She considered this whole thing a rousing success. Mostly. “Thank you for the talk and for showing me the way, Raven,” Twilight bowed her head in thanks. “I’m sure I’ll see you soon!” And with that, Twilight made her way up the spiralling staircase. All the finery of the castle had started to disappear the further up she walked, the stairs carpeted but nothing else showing that royalty lived here. The walls were barren, save small windows slotted every now and then, though they’d likely be used more for defense than for decoration. She knew the basics of siege warfare, after all, if only because Shining had sat her down and talked about it for hours and hours. He was an absolute nerd about the stuff.  The door came quicker than Twilight expected. She thought she’d have more time, and now that she stood in front of it, she wasn’t sure what to do. Okay, that was a lie. She technically knew that she should knock on the door and let herself be allowed in. But how did she move forward? Did she just talk to the Princess like any other pony? What did she actually do in a royal’s presence? Twilight had no idea. And not a lot of time to figure it out. Twilight couldn’t just awkwardly stand in front of the door the entire night, especially because Luna would probably think to check at some point. Besides, it wasn’t even the first time the two had spoken. Granted, the other times had been more of a surprise than anything, this was the first one where they actually had a  planned time together. Okay Twilight, no more dilly dallying. Her hoof came up and she knocked. She barely waited as  the door creaked open with midnight blue magic spurring it’s movement. The Princess came into her view, and for a second, the world stopped. Eventually, Twilight would have to get used to this, to get used to seeing the Princess, to get used to drinking in her radiance. But she hadn’t quite managed to do that yet, and Twilight openly stared. Her mouth suddenly felt so dry, and her eyes were wide and searching, looking over every part of the Princess that she could. Distantly, she knew that her hooves actually existed, but she couldn’t prove it, and she certainly couldn’t move them as she stood stock still on the doorstep of the most powerful pony in Equestria.  It’s like she became more beautiful every time Twilight saw her. Luna shattered the illusion first as she smiled, looking down at Twilight with benevolence in her gaze. “My student,” she started, in that lovely, full bodied tone of hers, something about it almost velvet like. So smooth. “It’s wonderful to see you once more, and I cannot wait to show you all that I can teach you. Come in, my student, come in,” she urged. Luckily for Twilight, Luna turned to lead the way further inside, meaning that she didn’t have to stare at Luna’s face anymore. “Take a seat,” Luna instructed, vaguely gesturing with her head towards the two set up couches. Twilight didn’t need to be told twice. The unicorn ambled her way over towards it, the fog only now leaving her head and clearing once more. She’d take her spot on one of the couches, looking down to the tea set and - was that a nice snack spread? “Good evening, your Royal Highness,” Twilight finally spoke, her words coming out ever so quietly and unsure of themselves. Could she have possibly been any more awkward? Most definitely.  The Princess took the spot opposite of Twilight, settling into place and looking over the smaller mare with scrutiny. “Would you like something to drink? Tea, perhaps?” she asked, gesturing towards the table. “Hungry? I understand that dinner was hours ago for you, and we’re going to use a lot of magic tonight. It doesn’t hurt to spend a few moments to replenish thy- yourself.” Luna corrected.  Another look down at the spread and Twilight started to fix herself something with magic. A bit of the cheese, some of the fruits and crackers all made their way onto her plate, magically levitated up. She could still feel the tension in the air, and if she wasn’t completely misreading the situation, it seemed like Luna had some of it on her side too. It was, likely, probably just some ice that needed to be broken. After all, their first meeting had been anything but peaceful and relaxed. Not that Twilight really minded. It had results and that’s not something that most ponies managed. She nibbled at some of the fruit as Luna settled in, pouring some tea for the both of them. The set itself really was lovely too, wasn’t it? Midnight blue with shadowy black parts, the cups painted with iridescent, glimmering stars. Everything here looked beautiful, the princess the most beautiful of all. “So what are you going to teach me, your Highness?” she asked, finally saying something important. Her magic grabbed another piece of fruit, busying her muzzle with it so she couldn’t follow up her words with something stupid and embarrassing.  Luna had been in the midst of a sip of tea when Twilight’s question was asked, meaning that she took a moment to place the cup back down, graceful in all things. “Today, I’m going to show you how to read portents of the future,” Luna started, as if that were simply the easiest thing in the entire world, “It will try you, it will be hard, but I have full belief that you can do it. We’ll begin with the basics and the theory and move on from there. However, after seeing your magic in the hall as well as the report from Baroness Shimmer, I have full faith that you’ll grasp these concepts rather easily.” Luna’s accent couldn’t be placed. It was ancient, it was probably from a people that no longer existed. At least, not in the same way. She kept on: “If you don’t, there is no worry. We will help you learn this skill one way or the other. Don’t be hard on yourself if it doesn’t come easy like other magic, prophecy and fortune telling are a very delicate art that isn’t easy to learn - or teach. It’s specific, it’s finicky, and rarely does it truly make sense. But that’s why I want a pony of your calibur learning this skill,” Luna finished with a slow nod of her head.  Twilight caught up, albeit a little slowly. “Wait, Sunset is a Baroness?” she asked, realizing that she’d been mistaking the girl’s title the entire time.  Luna chuckled, a strange thing to hear. Not that it sounded weird, just that a laugh coming from a Goddess felt weird to Twilight, almost like it shouldn’t exist. They were supposed to be serious and enigmatic, forces of nature that destroyed the opposition and nurtured the ones they loved. They weren’t supposed to chuckle, they weren’t to serve tea and talk with you about seeing the future- oh, well that part actually checked out. The rest of it, however, was new to her. “Oh yes, a royal line that stretches back centuries. Her family was part of the original Stalliongrad founders in fact, but I don’t believe that she particularly cares for the title. Most of the people you are going to meet are nobles of some sort. Raven’s family hold a duchy to the south, though it’s admittedly rather poor and irrelevant. Serving my sister and I looked better to her family than managing a land with nothing there. Then again, the majority of the nobles I’ll have you speaking to don’t care about their status. The ones that do…” Luna made a face. It took Twilight a second to recognize it as a grimace really, a displeased one at that. Then again, pretty much every grimace looked displeased. “Well, those are something else entirely. But fear not, my student,” Luna went on, using the title for the first time. “You shan’t have to deal with them.” Twilight knew she would eventually end up dealing with those nobles. That was simply how things worked. “Oh. Huh. I never thought that I would just meet nobles in my day to day life. It didn’t seem like something that, well. I grew up in a small village away from any city. A baron technically ruled over us, but beyond collecting taxes, we never saw hide nor hair of him,” Twilight explained.  A sigh escaped Luna and she gave a small shake of her head. “Too often, that’s what the nobles have come to. Making out like bandits and doing nothing for the cities and villages they’re supposed to protect and nurture. Even in Stalliongrad they clamor and talk for political favor and then what do they do with it? Another concert hall that only they can afford to go to? Another private school for their children and nothing more? A pox upon the entire idea of it, it may have been useful once upon a time, but that time has long passed.” Luna practically ranted, though it was a very reserved and calm rant all things considered. She kept on: “But I suppose that I shouldn’t talk too much on the matter. Especially since we’ve come for very different things. However,” Luna went on, magically taking her teacup back in her grasp once more, “I would quite enjoy hearing more about my newest student. You and I are going to spend quite a lot of time together, I imagine, and work closely. It would be good for the two of us to know each other in more than a superficial manner.” Luna’s smile came back once more, leaving Twilight with quite a bit to address. Okay, in order then. “To be honest, I can’t say that I know much about the nobles, your Highness. Raven and Sunset seem like good sorts, and that’s most of my experience. That, and um, you,” Twilight added with a sly smile towards the Lunar Goddess. “But, anything that you say will absolutely be kept between the two of us,” she added. That seemed like a good start, didn’t it? Secrecy. “Although, I’m really uh, I really don’t think that there’s much to say about myself, Your Highness. I grew up in a small village with my older brother. Nothing much happened, if I’m honest.” “The most exciting thing that happened in my life was coming here and having this.” Twilight went on, looking down at the tray of food. “Before this, I just studied and talked, lived and did nothing more. This… this is something more,” Twilight finished. She toke another bit of fruit and popped it into her muzzle, letting it occupy her mouth instead of talking. A nod answered her words. “Your silence is most appreciated. And fear not, young student of mine, you are interesting in your own way. Have you eaten your fill? Are you well? We should begin before the night grows too long!” Luna proclaimed, already starting to stand up from her spot.  Twilight followed her with a nod of her head. “Oh yes, Your Highness. How do we begin?”  Luna gestured her forward, over towards the ritual circle already inscribed on the ground. “The best way to start with fortune telling, is to witness an instance of it yourself. There is something strange about this sort of magic, something that must have a certain part of you open. And nothing can open it, but the actual thing. This peculiarity is the reason that we can’t be sure who actually started prophecy magic. Anypony that claims is usually a liar because we can tell who opened their inner eye. Tonight, I’ll open yours,” Luna explained, taking her seat across the circle. She gestured again, towards a cushion close to Twilight. Naturally, the student took her spot across from her teacher. Twilight looked over the circle, recognizing it from one of her magic books but knowing nothing more about it. She knew the vague theory behind this sort of thing, but had frankly always considered it quackery and nothing more. It didn’t make sense half the time, and  when it did make sense, it never became true so what did she care?  But now that Luna intended to show her, Twilight had a newfound belief. There’s no way a Goddess would go for something like this if it didn’t have at least a little truth to it, and she fully intended to learn anything that she could. “Is there anything I need to do, Your Highness?” Twilight asked, getting as comfortable as she could on the cushion. Really, it was quite nice, nicer than the bed she’d had back in her home village. A shake of Luna’s head answered her easily enough. “It’s unneeded. The majority of the work tonight will be done by me, you are here to enjoy the ride and keep a close eye on how things are done. It shouldn’t be difficult on you, but if at any time things get too intense, or too heavy, please say something and we’ll take a break. Are you ready?” Luna asked with a sense of finality to her tone. The Princess had really made this seem like more of a thing than it was, hadn’t she? Or maybe Twilight underestimated the magic that was about to occur. “I’m ready, your Highness,” she finally answered. With that, Twilight settled in, expecting something to happen at any moment. Something did happen in short order too, magic flaring from Luna’s horn. The color remained the same as the other night, but the sheer volume shocked Twilight. That said something too, considering how much Twilight herself could pour out at once. This was a magnitude beyond, perhaps even two magnitudes, something that Twilight couldn’t even fathom. She could feel the magic in the air, the oppressiveness surrounding her and threatening to force her into the ground. The pony’s eyes closed, rasping in a breath as her own magic swelled - not to fight back or do anything, but to stop Luna’s magic from pouring in on her and overwhelming her. When she managed to open her eyes again, she’d see Luna glowing. But despite the sheer amount of power radiating off of her, it didn’t seem like she put any effort into it. Her body language looked the exact same as before, natural, graceful, the perfect Goddess without a flaw on her. “Steady yourself, Twilight,” Luna warned, her voice doubled over, echoing with magic. The circle around them started to fill, the outline glowing with the bright blue of Luna’s magic. It traced the lines against the floor, shining the rune all the brighter. A bit of magic flared from Twilight, not to join it, but to shade her eyes, to make the light a bit less bright and able to be handled. The air felt thick around her, and she didn’t even know if she could talk. It was almost agonizing to watch it move, inch by inch towards it’s inevitable conclusion.  The magic finally finished the circle and brightened again, Luna opening her muzzle to speak once more. “Close your eyes, Twilight Sparkle, and embrace the magic. I’m going to show you what my dreams have shown me, and I want you to interpret it to the best of your ability.” Without another word, Twilight closed her eyes and readied herself the best that she could. Her own buffering, a natural resistance to other’s magic, would be lowered, slowly but surely and on purpose rather than being overwhelmed. She let the magic in, the sudden torrent of a river threatening to drown her. It infected every part of her and pushed her own magic deep, deep inside of herself. For a while, it was something of a humbling moment.  Twilight was a powerful unicorn, a rare type that could channel and hold more magic than any other. She could do things that most would consider impossible. But Luna? Luna’s magic was the sea, vast and endless, a neverending tidal wave that made her own small pond completely obsolete. It was all that she could do to hang on to her sense of self. Images flashed before her all at once. Images of the world burning, images of the world torn to shreds. They were images that her mind couldn’t process for a while, images that were too overpowering, too dark. That was Stalliongrad, wasn’t it? She could tell, just barely, since she could see the spires and the wall from earlier. The wall had been punched through, but that should be impossible. No amount of magic could do something like that, could it? The images kept coming, going backwards this time, the city repairing itself slowly in the strangest of ways. It came together whole once more with a flash of blue, a flash of midnight blue that blinded her mental eye. And all at once, everything stopped.  The world snapped back to place and the magic receded just as quickly as it had come, leaving Twilight almost feeling empty. It felt like a void inside of herself, a strange sensation of emptiness now that only her own magic existed to fill her up. It took her quite a few seconds to even be able to see the world around her, a haggard breath escaping her as her head exploded in pain.  “Deep breaths, my student,” Luna’s voice broke through the edge of it. “How is your head?” Does it ache?”  Twilight could only nod as an answer, but it wouldn’t hurt for long. Another wave of magic washed over her, but this one was so much more gentle, so much more kind. It soothed her head, pressing back the feelings of overwhelming hurt and replacing them with a cool warmth. “Thank you,” she whispered out, her voice husky without even realizing it. The sound of Luna’s hooves against the floor could be heard even from her place on the ground. “Perhaps I pushed you too far.” The words came out from somewhere distant. “Perhaps you weren’t ready for this and I should have started you on something smaller. This is… my fault. These lessons might need to end until you’ve built up strength to stand what I intend to show you.” Even in her grogginess, Twilight could hear the disappointment in Luna’s voice, she could hear something akin to despair. It sparked something in Twilight, and she pushed through being dazed beyond belief. Her mind went into overdrive as adrenaline kicked her ass into gear. Magic spread through her, her own flaring out to fill her body up, mind processing the events from before. The mare struggled to her hooves, getting onto them with a light ‘nng’ of effort.  “I believe that I can handle it, Your Highness,” Twilight tried to assert, opening her eyes once more. She spotted the princess over by the tea set from earlier, fussing with it and apparently setting another plate for Twilight. She was hungry again, somehow. Probably from the massive amount of magical energy that she’d used throughout the day. “Forgive me, it just took me a second to get used to it. I think I’m ready now,” Twilight re-asserted. Luna looked back over her shoulder towards the smaller mare, considering her closely. “Take a seat.” She offered, gesturing towards the couch across from her. “Eat. It’ll help your head.” Twilight really only realized what Luna meant when she took her first step and dizziness threatened to put her right back down on her rump. Of course, she’d fight it because she wanted to prove, to show that she could still deal with things. So, she did the absolute best, most logical course of action and tried to teleport instead. That would be a hell of a display of power, wouldn’t it? To her immense surprise, it actually worked. She managed to travel the few feet and land in her chair, quite safely at that. She looked over towards Luna with quite the happy expression on her face. “See? I’m just fine.” Twilight looked to assure her mentor.  Luna didn’t look convinced. The plate she’d been making ended up shoved in front of Twilight as another cup of tea was poured for the both of them. “Still eat. You need it, whether or not you can still do magic doesn’t change the fact that you’ve been put through the wringer,” she warned. Twilight didn’t realize exactly how hungry she was until the first grape touched against her lips. From there, it became more of a flurry, working at each piece of food that’d been given to her. Cheeses, fruits, some nice grains and even oat bars that were surprisingly delicious. How did they manage to flavor them so well? She’d never know.  The Princess talked all the while. “Perhaps you can handle it. I’m sorry to have doubted you, my student. I’ve seen ponies go catatonic from the first part of awakening their eye, and I truly didn’t want to see it happen to you as well.” Luna took a seat across from the hungry mare, sipping the tea that she’d poured herself with a sigh. “My last few students have had unfortunate endings. I blame it on myself, on teaching them things too early. One, too early for black magic, unable to control themselves. Another learning war spells of destruction and couldn't control it, obliterated an entire block. Those two made me swear off students forever. Until you,” she added, sounded slightly begrudging about it. Or at least, that's what Twilight heard.  Twilight wouldn’t talk with her move full, she’d been raised better than that. So instead, she swallowed first, wiped her muzzle off with a hoof, and answered with all the pride that she could muster. “I’m not like other unicorns. I’m not like nobles, I’m not like peasants, I’m something more. This is my destiny, to be your archmage.” Twilight had always felt that inside of her from the very second she’d been born. “And I will do it. Nothing will stop me, not a little wooziness, not a little magic, and certainly not past failures. I can do this, Your Highness. Put some trust in me and you won’t regret it for an instant.” Later on, Twilight would probably break down crying about that. She couldn’t just… just assert herself like that and not panic! Inside, she was absolutely worried, so much so that her stomach had already started to hurt and it’d been but a few seconds. In fact, she thoroughly figured that she’d be admonished for such words, that they were unworthy for somepony as great as the Princess. Not to mention, her head still spun, her body still felt weak, everything that could be wrong, did feel wrong, but Twilight had to summon her courage for this, because there was no way she was giving up her position now. Bull headed till the end.  “Call me Luna.” The first words came out and they weren’t damning. “Confidence is to be admired, especially after the ritual I just put you through. You likely can handle this, and I should have kept faith in you,” Luna finished, with a smile. “Tonight, you’ll likely dream and dream vividly. It’s a way for your mind to process what’s happened over the last few hours - yes, it’s actually been hours since you’ve arrived, it’s nearly one in the morning already.” Twilight blinked at that, looking over towards the balcony and seeing where the moon hung in the sky. “So, you have homework, my student,” Luna kept on. “Tonight, you’ll think about what you’ve seen, on how the magic made you feel. Then on Wednesday - two days from now - we’ll discuss it. In the meantime, you’re to continue learning everything that you can. I have full faith you’ll come with even insights that I have not.” How did Twilight respond to that? Was there anything she wanted to say except how perfect it was? Not really, especially since she’d just taken a sip of the tea. She’d finish it off before smiling brightly at the Princess. “Of course, your highness. Thank you again for choosing me. I- I will never be able to pay you back enough,” she admitted, with a bowed head. Luna chuckled and gave a wave of her hoof. “Think nothing of it. I expect a lot from you. Now, hurry home. Get rest before your classes and I look forward to seeing you very soon, my student.” Twilight finally stood and found her legs much less wobbly than before. She’d give a bow, not too low since a table stayed in the way, but a bow nonetheless. “Yes, Your Highness. I’ll see you soon,” she repeated the words. Without another thought, she’d turn to leave, back out the door and down the stairs all over again. She had a lot to think about - and a lot of sleep to catch up on!