//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Celestine 
// by n3k1dsk1llz 
//------------------------------//

Starlight waved goodbye to Maud from the entrance of the castle. When Maud was over the hill, she ran in and slammed the door. Twilight was musing about the information Maud had given her, Starlight certainly wasn’t listening. She ran up and grabbed Twilight’s face with both her hooves.

“TWILIGHT!” She screamed louder than she intended.

A rather terrified Twilight replied, “Yes?”

Starlight took a deep breath. It didn’t help. She took another.

And another.

And another.

Twilight by this time could tell something was really wrong. She grabbed Starlight’s hooves and held them. “What’s wrong, Starlight?”

Starlight took another deep breath and was finally able to whisper, “Something is happening to me…”

Twilight led her friend to the couch and had her sit. “Okay, Starlight. Tell me what’s happening.”

Starlight took a shaky breath. She was shaking. When did she start shaking? She looked at Twilight and started explaining what had happened. She explained the strange visions. She explained how REAL they were. She explained how she DIDN’T feel the way she felt when she was having them. Twilight sat and absorbed everything Starlight was saying, her face displaying that she was deep in thought.

“You know, Starlight, what you’re describing sounds very similar to an experience I had many years ago.  I drank a potion that gave me visions of the past. The visions were so real, it felt like I was actually there. Did you drink any strange potions recently?”

Starlight shook her head. “No. And I haven’t worked on any new spells in about a week or so. And the spells I was working on before that…just some minor conjuration spells with Trixie. Tea cups, crumpits, that sort of thing.” Twilight’s face shifted to one of mild worry. “She’s getting better, Twilight. She gaining better control and I make sure to practice with her away from the castle now.”

“I know. I just…” Twilight took a breath, her voice still carrying a bit of unease. “I’m glad you guys are such good friends. And I trust your magic tutelage.”

“Are you sure? You sound more like your insides are twisting up because you aren’t overseeing the lessons.” Starlight smirked.

“I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.” Twilight’s deadpan reply got a chuckle out of Starlight. “So back to that weird crystal in the basement. Maud was able to confirm that it was definitely not a part of the castle structure. She was also able to confirm that it is magical, as I suspected. But the nature of the magic is still unknown. She’ll be helping me develop some equipment to further examine it. I was thinking she could stay in the room across from yours since you guys are friends, but after hearing this, maybe I should put her on my floor.”

“Wait. Maud is moving in?”

“Temporarily, yes. While we work on figuring this out. Of course, I suppose we could make other arrangements, under the circumstances.”

Starlight could feel her legs starting to tremble again. “Um…no. It’s fine. I’ll just get a place in town while you two work on it. If she’s here, you guys can get started nice and early every day.”

“Are you sure, Starlight? Maybe I should put this whole cyrstal thing on hold until we can figure out what’s going on with you.”

“No, Twilight. It could start affecting the foundation of the castle or something. And make the whole thing collapse. Then we wouldn’t have anywhere to live.”

“Okay. But only if you’re sure, Starlight.”

“Oh, I’m sure. I figure if I can just keep my distance, I’ll be okay. I’m already feeling a bit better with her gone.” The words stabbed at her heart as soon as she said them. She was relieved that her friend was gone. Her friend that she loved like a sister.

“Alright, Starlight. Let me help you pack. And then I’ll make sure that we start nice and early tomorrow morning so we can be done as quickly as possible.”