//------------------------------// // Chapter 17: A Sweet Teacher! // Story: Starlight Glimmer's First Student: A "Human"?! // by Clockwork2003 //------------------------------// This is certainly something I wasn’t anticipating. Bringing my sister to Equestria was part of the plan, but my MOM? Why would I bring Mom here? This doesn’t make any sense! My mom and sister are both stunned at Twilight’s castle, and my sister is taking pictures of it with her phone. “This place is awesome! Thrones, a giant magical table, you name it!” Rebecca says, inadvertently complimenting Twilight’s castle. The Princess of Friendship smiles at the praise. “Thank you, Rebecca. This is actually my castle. I’m very happy you like it!” Twilight replies, happy that her castle’s decor didn’t go unnoticed. My mom then proceeds to approach Twilight and asks her a rather important question. “So, Princess Twilight. I am a special education teacher. This means that my job is to help kids with learning differences thrive in school. I figured if you’re opening a School of Friendship with human students, you might need a helping hand. Is there anything, in particular, you’d like me to help you with?” My mother politely asks. Twilight takes a minute to consider my mother’s question, before smiling. “Well, since I work with ‘neurodiverse’ students on Earth, maybe you can tell me what kind of stuff I need to make the school better for them!” My mom asks further, quite eager to assist the ponies in developing their school. It takes the Princess of Friendship a while, but she finally has an answer for my mom. “Well, there is an Earth Pony named Bon Bon who I know in passing. Her marefriend Lyra was a classmate of mine in school. She runs a candy shop in Ponyville, but she also has a degree in education. I think you two would get along nicely. Here, I’m going to call Lyra right now, and bring you to Bon Bon!” Twilight’s horn lights up, presumably to use the UniPhone. I think that unicorns and alicorns have innate telepathic connections with each other. Somepony must have capitalized on this, and made a telecommunications network across Equestria for unicorns! That’s awesome! If my soul is linked to Starlight’s, maybe I can learn how to use it, too? Finally finishing her pensive communication with Lyra, Twilight smiles. “Alright. Bon Bon will meet you at Sugarcube Corner in fifteen minutes. She’ll bring some documents with her about pony pedagogy, and you two can hit it off over coffee!” Twilight says, using magic to push my mother towards Starlight. “I take it you want me to carry her there, Twilight?” Starlight asks her teacher. Twilight shakes her head no. “I don’t need you to carry her there, Starlight. Just show her where it is. Noah, go with your pony paramour and your mom. I’ll watch over Rebecca and fill her in on what there is to do in Equestria. We need a “social media” influencer in our Friendship campaign on Earth. Using my executive authority as Princess of Friendship, I hereby appoint Rebecca as my communications director!” My sister’s jaw drops, and she starts to laugh, probably out of shock. “Twilight, you’re nuts! I don’t have that many followers on anything!” My sister says in denial before her phone starts pinging nonstop. She opens her phone, and sees that she now has millions of followers on her TikTok account! How in the name of anyone did my sister suddenly become one of the world’s most popular influencers? This is completely and utterly insane! “Holy shit…how do I have so many followers?!” My sister cries, scrolling aimlessly on her phone, seeing all of the new accounts that are following her. “Simple: I sent letters to your human governments. I gave them all the details about Noah and his family, and the human press must have caught on to my Friendship Program. I think that you’ll be good at this job!” Twilight says, casting a quick spell. This spell gives my sister a notebook and quill. She quickly grabs it, putting her phone back into her pocket. Rebecca turns towards Trixie, wondering what to do next. “What do you think I need to do, now?” She asks her new friend. Trixie’s horn lights up, and my sister is teleported onto the showpony’s back. Rebecca is startled by this sudden teleportation and quickly grabs Trixie’s reins to balance herself. “Trixie thinks that we should have some fun first! The program doesn’t start for another few weeks, and the human students are only coming tomorrow. Here, Trixie will show you some magic! Maybe we can fuse souls, too? Wouldn’t you want to learn magic?” Trixie says, curiously. Rebecca quickly spurs Trixie, and the two of them gallop out of the castle, probably to the azure mare’s trailer.  Twilight and my mom both laugh. “My daughter is more of a rule follower than Noah, so this is a weird change of pace. I take it that you know Trixie?” My mother asks Twilight, as the Friendship monarch nods in affirmation. “We have a complicated history, Noah’s mom. We used to be archrivals in magic, but now she’s Starlight’s Chief of Staff. She’s going to be just fine! Now, Bon Bon doesn’t like to be late for anything, so you three should get going to Sugarcube Corner! I’ll let Pinkie Pie know you three are on your way!” Twilight says, quickly teleporting away. Well, time to go to Sugarcube Corner! Starlight looks at my mom and smiles. “Are you sure you don’t want to ride your future daughter-in-law to Sugarcube Corner?” Starlight says, being both playful and deadly serious. My mother is stone-faced for a bit,  before shaking her head. “I get motion sickness, Starlight. It’s not about you. Go have fun with Noah. As long as you two don’t fly away, I don’t care.” My mom says, quite okay with my time spent with Starlight. I guess mom has been so desperate for me to make a friend that she is throwing all known caution to the wind! Starlight puts a wing around my mother in solace. “It’s okay, Noah’s mom. I’m not upset. I love your son as much as you do. I won’t fly him there. I’ll trot next to you the whole time!” Starlight says, turning around to give me space to climb aboard. Quickly making my way atop Starlight, I shift myself comfortably in her seat. Starlight grins, knowing I am relaxed. “Want to see how Noah made a good friend?” Starlight asks my mother. She nods, wondering what stunt we’re going to pull. Starlight turns her head towards me, giving me the “nod”. Might as well show Mom the little act the two of us developed over the past week. Starlight stands still, and awaits my “instructions”. I chuckle and give my mare a gentle pat on the neck; causing Starlight’s mane to shake in bliss. “O Princess of Justice. As your rider, I beseech you to allow me to travel atop you for convenience and expedition.” I playfully recite in a more regal tone and dialect. My mom laughs, thinking this is a rather silly exercise. “Noah, what is the point of that? Starlight already let you ride on her, so this is just hot air!” She says, not knowing the nuance and meaning behind this playful act. Starlight caught onto my drift because she put a lilac hoof on my mother’s shoulder. “The point of this, Noah’s Mom, is to teach your son about manners, consent, and trust. I discovered the act of riding out of necessity when I had to come up with a way to bring a human across the quantum tunnel. This isn’t an act where one creature is master over the other, but it’s an act of cooperation and Friendship!” Mom takes a minute to think about what Starlight just said, before realizing my marefriend made an excellent point. “That does make sense! Horses on Earth are not sentient, and you can’t ask them for a ride. You are not only a talking pony but a smart one, too! If you want to be friends with someone, you have to express what you want and need from them, rather than take it directly without consultation!” My mother deduces. Starlight and I both smile. “Bingo, ma. You hit the nail on the head. Fused souls aside, Starlight and I still need to verbally communicate what we want from each other. For example, Starlight has tense muscles, so by riding her I actually soothe her body!” I say, gently tapping my mare’s sides. Starlight enters a slow trot, and my mother walks alongside her.  “We have to go down a few flights of stairs, and Sugarcube Corner isn’t far.” Starlight says, leading the way for our meeting with Bon Bon at Sugarcube Corner. I don’t know anything at all about pedagogy; let alone for differentiated learning. I think my mother’s meeting with Bon Bon will be a very important learning experience for everycreature. *** “BON BON! YOU GOT A ROYAL EDICT EDICT FROM PRINCESS TWILIGHT! MEET STARLIGHT AT SUGARCUBE CORNER FOR A MEETING ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL!” Lyra yells from the rafters of our flat. The acoustics in this place are too good, so my eardrums feel like bursting at this announcement. “Lyra Heartstrings. What did I tell you about using the vocal augmentation spell in our home?” I say, quite cross with my cohabitant. I don’t care that she’s a musician. I need proper volume control! This is my house, too! “Sorry, Bon Bon. I know we’ve talked about this before, but the UniPhone distracted me from my harp practice. Go to Sugarcube Corner. I know you’re excited about helping those “special” humans. I don’t blame you. You’re the kindest pony I’ve ever met!” Lyra says, trotting down the stairs to talk to me muzzle to muzzle. She’s carrying her harp with her down the stairs using magic, so I only see half of Lyra’s beautiful green face. “Why, thank you for the kind praise, Lyra. I’ll try not to be gone for too long. I left the broccoli casserole in the refrigerator for you. Don’t eat all of it! It’ll make you sick.” I remind Lyra. She chuckles. “Yeah, yeah, Bon Bon. I know. Too much fiber is not good. Sweet talk coming from a candy pony.” She chortles, putting her harp down on our wooden floor; laying it against the window. “This Candy Pony also has a BA and MA in education, as well as the Celestial Medal for Earth Pony Advancement!” I playfully retort, sticking my tongue out at Lyra. Yeah, we’re dating. This is a normal quarrel we have. The candy store is more of a side hustle, mainly because I liked sweets as a filly. I have my Cutie Mark for a reason. Collecting my saddlebag from the coat rack, I open the door, and wave goodbye to Lyra.“Come home soon, Bon Bon!” Lyra says, waving goodbye to me. I trot out the door, and Lyra uses magic to close it behind me.  Ever since my rather audacious outburst at Starlight’s coronation, I have been getting loads of support from ponies here in town. Apparently, the Ponyville populace is much more progressive in regards to same-sex pony couples than Canterlot. I got a free gallon of apple cider from Applejack, some donuts from Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy came over to make tea! Nopony in town stares at me anymore when I am trotting along; whether I am by myself or with Lyra. It’s funny, actually. I am usually the more reserved pony in the relationship, being quieter and more to myself; while Lyra is the extrovert and advocate. Perhaps meeting Noah and seeing how his “Asperger’s” gives him a different view on life showed me that I don’t have it that bad, after all? Celestia’s sun is hiding today! It’s not raining, but the clouds are quite plentiful, and there is a peaceful haze across Ponyville. I’ve always dreaded this kind of weather. I know that the pegasi work really hard to arrange the clouds, but couldn’t they have given Ponyville one more sunny day? At least the winds are blowing in the direction of Sugarcube Corner! I get a slight boost in my canter from the wind! Actually, I arrived over two minutes faster than I would have normally, had there not been any wind at all! Finally approaching the pink door of the bakery, I push the door inward, opening it. Looking around, I see that Starlight, Noah, and some other human are sitting at a table, where Mrs. Cake is taking their orders already. Starlight spots me, and waves. “Hi, Bon Bon! You came just on time; we actually came a bit early. Don’t feel bad!” She says, inviting me to join them at the table. I trot over carefully, and I drag an extra chair to the table. Sitting down, Mrs. Cake waves at me, and smiles. “Long time, no see, Bon Bon! What would you like to have today?” The co-owner asks me, with her usual wholesome smile on her face. “Just a coffee today, Mrs. Cake. Grande almond latte, two sugars; the usual, please!” I ask. I am not that hungry, but a pony could always go for a fresh coffee in the late morning! I am already out of mojo for today, and it’s only 11:30! I quickly remember that I have my saddlebag attached to me, and I remove it, placing the lime green polyester bag on the table. The second human, who I assume to be Noah’s mother, opens the bag and takes out my binder. Starlight interrupts the woman and uses magic to alert us of something else. “You two haven’t formally met yet! Bon Bon, meet Noah’s Mom. Noah’s Mom, Bon Bon. Shake!” She asks. I let out my front hoof, and Noah’s mother took out her hand. We shake, becoming formally acquainted. I quickly push the binder towards Noah’s mother, and she looks at it carefully. “What’s in here, Bon Bon?” The woman asks me. I don’t know how much this other teacher knows, but I am not going to assume she’s a foal in matters of education! “I had Lyra cast the Universal Translation Spell on this, so you can read it. It’s just some notes on pony pedagogy that I used when I was a student teacher for Cheerilee.” I replied. It’s actually been a few years since I’ve been a student teacher, so for all I know, this data could be years out of date! Buck, it’s from before the Elements were formed! Starlight casts another spell, duplicating the binder, and she quickly combs through her copy with the help of her rider. I actually forgot that Noah knows magic since he fused souls with Starlight Glimmer. “Hm, this actually makes a lot of sense, Bon Bon.” Starlight says, pointing her hoof towards a section on page 24 of my booklet. This section talks about coming up with an “IEP”, or Individualized Education Plan. While Special Education in Equestria is not as accessible as it should be, they did have a specialized resource room at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. They had everything there! Readers for exams, scribes for ponies who had trouble writing, extra time for anxious ponies, you want it, they had it! I took scrupulous notes on all of the accommodations there, and Starlight seems pleased with my findings. Noah’s mother is also quite happy with these findings. She turns her copy around and points to a section on page 33; which discusses the role of the school administrator in equitably finalizing grades. “Honestly, Bon Bon, Equestria is more modern on special education than the schools on Earth! I had to fight tooth and nail to get these accommodations for Noah in high school, to the point that I had to sue!” Noah blushes and nudges his mother. “Ma, not now. You tell me I share too much personal information. Shouldn’t you teach by example?” He asks her. Starlight laughs at the comment, as Mrs. Cake comes back with my coffee and a few assorted treats for everycreature else. She places it on the table and smiles. “Enjoy, every…uh, there aren’t just ponies here. What is the proper term? I don’t want to be rude!” Mrs. Cake asks. Starlight raises her hoof and answers the baker’s question. “On Earth, it’s everyone, but Twilight coined the term “everycreature” a few weeks ago when drafting resolutions for the Friendship School’s other nonpony students.” Starlight says, answering Mrs. Cake’s question. “Right, everycreature. That makes sense. Anyways, enjoy your sugary treats!” She says, before trotting off to the kitchen. Noah and Starlight split their vanilla glazed donut in half, and each begin to slowly nibble at the delectable treat. I like their approach! They should savor the sugar, rather than snarf it down all at once! Noah’s mom didn’t order anything. I look at her confused before she says “I’m on a diet. I’ve lost five kilograms already!” Good for her! I’ve been trying to do the same, but my results are lackluster, at best. I’m not a fat mare, mind you! I just have maybe two kilograms of extra pony that I need to shed! Finally getting to the topic at hoof, Noah’s mom taps me on the hoof, curious about some other Equestrian teaching methods. “I only have one question, Bon Bon. What do you know about working directly with neurodiverse students? It’s not just working with kids on the autism spectrum. Neurodiversity is anyone who learns in an “atypical” manner!” She asks me. To be totally honest, I’ve done most of my on-hooves work with neurotypical ponies, but I think I know enough to proceed. “I know a bit, Noah’s mom. My marefriend, Lyra, has ADHD. She's very hyper, and loses focus on things as easily as she focuses on them!” I chuckle at the thought. Noah’s Mom smiles, before continuing. “I feel bad for you, Bon Bon. You’re a nice mare, and you must get a lot of nasty comments from your peers about your private life. Rest assured that I am fully behind you!” Noah’s Mom says, hiding a smile. Starlight and Noah are glad that the rider’s mother is such a kind, human woman. I am taking a liking to her! “Right, we got on a slight tangent. To answer your question, I know a bit about ADHD, since I live with somepony who has it. As for autism, I don’t know a lot, but I know that Twilight, Maud, and your son have it. Anxiety is a no-brainer since almost everypony has it! What other conditions are there that I need to be aware of?” I asked his mother.  Starlight and Noah are talking about something else, and I am not really paying attention to them. It’s probably stupid lover’s stuff, anyway! I am not a romantic, so I couldn’t care less! I overheard the phrase “Friendship School”, so I take it they’re still somewhat on topic? “Well, I wrote my Ph.D. dissertation on selective mutism. Those poor children are too stressed to even speak. They are often the most lonely children. If you don’t intervene in this condition as soon as possible, it becomes very hard to remediate. The disorder is mostly based on serious anxiety, so you need to proceed with caution, Bon Bon.” Noah’s mom says, reassuring me. “I think you’ll do great, Bon Bon.” Starlight and Noah say in unison. Noah’s Mom smiles, and I notice that everycreature here finished their snack. I finished my coffee, too! As much as I want to talk about teaching with Noah’s Mom, I have a much more important question to ask her! “Uhh, Noah’s Mom, I have a question,” I ask the human woman. Mrs. Cake comes back with the bill, and Starlight shows a pass with Twilight’s Cutie Mark on it. Mrs. Cake nods and walks away. “Royal Tab. I’ll get my own set up soon enough. It’s like a credit card, but better!” Starlight says, before letting me continue with my question. “Sure, Bon Bon. What’s the question?” She replies, eager to hear what I have to say. “Well, ever since Noah came to Equestria, I’ve been desperate to have a “rider”. Since we’re both teachers, maybe I can, well, be your steed, just one time? I want to try it! Starlight looks like she has fun with your son!” I say, blushing at the thought. Noah’s Mom chuckles, before breaking out into a full belly laugh. “Oh, Bon Bon! Never in my life would I imagine a pony asking me to ride on their back! I have a poor stomach, and basically, anything gives me motion sickness. If you promise to trot slowly and not gallop like a crazy pony, I’ll be more than happy to help you out with your curious interest.” She replies. Noah and Starlight both get up from their seats, and Noah mounts his marefriend, her mane shaking in bliss at his presence. “Say the word, Noah’s Mom, and I’ll equip Bon Bon with a saddle and bridle. You don’t have to if you don’t want to! Consent is key to everything!” She chuckles. Noah’s Mom nods, and Starlight’s horn lights up. I feel a new piece of clothing on me, which I assume is a saddle. A yellow and black bridle is then conjured onto the table, and Noah’s Mom takes it into her hands. “I don’t know how to put this thing on you, Bon Bon.” Noah’s mom says, chuckling. Starlight and Noah both activate their magic, and they help Noah’s Mom equip my bridle. I open my mouth, a bit nervous. I bite the cold metallic bit, and feel the straps wrap around my muzzle. I thought it would hurt, but it actually feels like a facial massage! “I think I can do this!” I say. I turn around and allow for Noah’s Mom to climb aboard. I feel the cool touch of the woman’s hands on my neck, and she gently climbs onto my back. Again, I thought it would hurt more, but again, it feels therapeutic. Starlight grins, happy that another pony seems to be enjoying the “magic of riding”. “Noah’s Mom. Don’t steer Bon Bon the first time. Bon Bon, go home, and I’ll take Noah to Twilight’s castle. We'll reconvene for supper at the Castle of Friendship, collecting all of our new data!” Starlight says, as she opens the door of the bakery with her magic. Noah flicks his mare’s bridle, and the alicorn takes off! I feel Noah’s mom shudder on my back. “I am sure glad you’re a, what’s your pony race called?” She asks me. “Earth Pony,” I replied. “Right! I am glad you are an Earth Pony, so I am stuck on the ground. I am afraid of heights! Oh, you can go now. Remember: Slow and steady wins the race!” She says. I will try and accommodate my rider the best I can. I trot towards the door, and use my front hoof to open it. Finally exiting Sugarcube Corner, I go into a steady trot, with Noah’s mother looking around at the sights of Ponyville. Well, I have a rider who’s also a teacher, and I am really excited to see where this School of Friendship goes! I think our new, multispecies team can really do something good for everycreature! Friendship is really important!