//------------------------------// // Royal Prep // Story: Sofia the First: Hooves and Hearts // by Fluffy Master //------------------------------// Sofia was up early the next morning, she pushed open the windows and took a deep breath. She looked over the gardens – today was her first day at Royal Prep. She hopped off the window seat, throwing the pillow and blanket onto her bed and trotted over to the closet. Pushing it open and sighed, “Okay, let’s see – Maybe something – Blue.” Sofia decided and began to look through her gowns. She found on gown and changed into it, looking at her reflection in the floor length mirror. She smiled and sighed. “Looking good Sofia.” She trotted to the shoes and picked a pair matching her gown before putting her tiara on. With one last check in the Mirror, she deemed herself ready. Sofia picked up her next saddle bag, it has a custom under the strap, so it was a lot more comfortable then her last one. “Princ- Oh I see you’re up and ready.” Baileywick chuckled opening the doors. Sofia smiled. “Good morning Baileywick, yep. I have school today; I have to be ready! Oh, did you see the amulet the king gave me?” She held up the tear shaped jewel. “It is lovely.” He agreed. “Well, your parents are settled for breakfast now, if you wish to go and join them.” “Okay, thanks Baileywick!” Sofia galloped off, leaving the castle steward to smile softly after her. ~*~*~*~ After breakfast, Sofia joined Amber and James in the carriage to school. The guard’s pulling the carriage took off, Sofia looked over the edge of the carriage to get a look at their castle from the sky. But they soon landed, Amber and James got out first. Sofia slowly stepped out after them, watching the twins vanish inside before she could ask where their class was. Sofia looked up at the school, watching all the other royals walking up, she just frowned lightly feeling out of place. “Ah, Princess Sofia!” Sofia jumped, but sighed when the three headmistresses fluttered above her. “G-good morning!” She greeted, as they all grew in size and landed by her. “We’re glad to have you here, we’re always looking for a few good princesses.” Fauna smiled softly. “Oh, that’s good, cause I need to learn how to be a Princess before Friday.” Sofia told them, the three Breezies chuckled softly. “Oh my dear it takes much longer to learn how to be a princess.” Flora replied, Sofia frowned. “But we can teach you what you need for the ball, don’t you worry my dear.” Fauna added. “But first things first, the royal tour of the Royal Preparatory Academy!” Merriweather beamed. Sofia giggled lightly as she followed the Breezies into the school building. After a quick tour, the Breezies gave Sofia her school books that she carried the short distance to her classroom in one hoof. The other royals stood when she entered and greeted her. Sofia bowed back but almost dropped her books. “How are you going to carry all your books?” Amber asked snidely. Sofia just raised a brow and easily manoeuvred to put the books on her flank and just walked normally, passing her step siblings and other royals. “You know, I was born without Unicorn magic, never needed it – never will.” Sofia said, finding her seat and easily putting her books on the desk by lightly bumping her flank to the side of the desk and the books slid on to her desk neatly, not one paper out of shape. She smiled at the impressed looks of many royals. “I have my own way of doing things. Comes with the aid of being the daughter of an old shoe maker. Books, boxes, and anything like that is easy to carry and put neatly down. Comes with a lot of practice.” “Impressive!” Other royals trotted over to talk to Sofia. She was a little surprised at them all wanting to speak to her, but she didn’t fail to notice the looks from her step siblings. “Princess Sofia!” Sofia turned as a Princess from class galloped over. “Thank you for stopping. I never introduced myself this morning, it was all a bit busy. I’m Princess Jun, from Wei-ling.” “Oh, nice to meet you, honestly just call me Sofia.” Sofia smiled; Jun beamed. “How are you finding everything so far?” Jun asked. “Ah, it’s okay. Some getting used too, still wondering how a tiara is needed to worn at literally everywhere outside my room.” Sofia huffed; Jun laughed. “I know, once I get to my room I take it off. Sometimes its just too much.” Jun agreed. “Anyway, have you been shown around the gardens yet?” “Not yet.” Sofia shook her head, Jun beamed happily. “Yōuxiù – it means I can show you around.” Jun smiled. “I really hope we can become friends Sofia.” “Friends are always good to have.” Sofia giggled happily, but the princesses stopped as James approached them. “Hey Sofia, I have something cool to show you!” He grinned, Sofia glanced to Jun but followed him. Jun followed quietly behind concerned. James stopped before a beautiful swing. Sofia smiled – it was lovely, but she frowned from James to the Swing, already feeling cautious about it, he hadn’t been kind just yet, so she wasn’t about to bet on it. She faced him directly. “Okay, what’s the catch?” She asked, surprising everyone. “What are you talking about?” James acted confused. “Other than the fact you clearly don’t like me, you always scowl at me, don’t talk to me. You don’t want me to be in your family, that’s clear. And don’t think I haven’t heard you and Amber talking about my patches, which I am very proud of by the way.” Sofia told him. “So, what’s the catch with the Swing, Prince James?” She asked. Everypony watched in shock and awe. James growled a little and opened his mouth to reply. “It’s enchanted.” A colt stepped forward, causing James to turn, Sofia frowned, recalling the Jun calling the Prince Zandar Sands. “And what can this enchanted swing do?” Sofia turned to him, stopped and gave her a small smile. “It just swings you higher and higher – not sure how to stop it, so we all get flung off it.” Zandar explained. “He pulls this prank on everypony whose new, happened on my first day.” “Right, well, Thank you Prince Zandar.” Sofia smiled. “Hey Jun, I think I’ll take you up on that walk around the gardens.” She trotted over to her friend. Jun beamed. “Good, we can stay away from Prince James and the swing.” Jun and Sofia trotted away. “I thought she was your sister James?” Zandar frowned at his friend. “You know, in the story of Cinderella there are two nasty step sisters? Why does it feel like Sofia has two horrible stepsiblings?” Without waiting for a reply Zandar trotted off, leaving James standing there, not sure what to say. ~*~*~*~ Character Designs ~*~*~*~