//------------------------------// // Expert Consultation // Story: Infinite Potential // by applezombi //------------------------------// “Dusk?  Dusk Shine?  Sunburst?” Dusk groaned, clenching his eyes and moving his wing to cover his eyes.  It seemed far too bright, and the air outside of the blankets was too cold.  He nestled into the warmth in his hooves, which also shifted about with a moan of complaint. “It’s really not healthy for you to be sleeping on the floor like this, Dusk.  And in such a mess!” Fluttershy.  It was Fluttershy’s voice.  She was in his lab.  His eyes flew open, darting to the tarp that hid their magic circles. It was in place.  He gave a little sigh of relief, before looking up at the pegasus floating in the air above him and his husband. “G-good morning, Fluttershy,” he yawned.  “Everything okay?” “Morning?  Dusk, it’s almost ten!  Wake up, sleepy head.  I made muffins.” “Muffins?” Sunburst yawned as well, stirring in Dusk’s hooves.  “Did I hear muffins?” “Yes, and I have half a mind to say you can’t touch them until this disaster is cleaned up.  What are you two thinking?”  Fluttershy’s scolding tone made Dusk flinch.  “If you were expecting Spike or S-Starlight to clean this up, you’re…” “We were going to clean it up,” Dusk interrupted.  “We just wanted to finish our experiment first.  We weren’t going to make Spike or Starlight clean it up, I promise.”  He stood, letting the blanket slip off both of them and ignoring Sunburst’s whimper of complaint.  He arched his back, stretching the stiffness out of his muscles. “Uh huh.”  Fluttershy said skeptically.  “Well, hurry up.  The muffins are probably cold by now, but they’re still good.  Apple family recipe.”  She sighed.  “And I might help you clean up later.” “You can’t!” Dusk said, a thrill of panic shooting up his voice.  Fluttershy eyed him suspiciously.  “Um.  It’s an important experiment, but it’s also a Hearth’s Warming gift.  For.  Um.  Somepony.  We want to keep it a surprise.” “Okay,” Fluttershy said slowly, her eyes drifting across the mess.  “If you insist.  But I’m willing to help, if…” “It’s fine, Fluttershy.  Thank you.  We’ll take care of it.” Fluttershy shrugged, and flew out of the lab.  Sunburst stood and stretched himself, casting about for his glasses.  Dusk floated them over from under a pile of parchment.  “Did she see?  Do you think…” “It doesn’t look like Starlight was here.  And Fluttershy didn’t see.  We’re safe.  C’mon, let’s go get muffins.” In the kitchen, Fluttershy and Starlight were sitting at the table.  Starlight was an absolute mess; her eyes were ringed with dark circles, and her mane was a disaster.  She didn’t meet his eyes when he came into the kitchen, instead focusing on the muffin she was taking tiny bites from. “G’mornin’, Fluttershy,” Sunburst said from behind him.  “Mornin’, Starlight.” Starlight grunted but didn’t look up.  Dusk peered at her with concern. “Starlight, are you o…” “I’m moving out,” she muttered, through a mouthful of muffins. Everypony in the room froze.  All eyes were on Starlight, who was staring at her plate. “I’ll finish out this semester at the School of Friendship, but then I’m going to be looking for other opportunities.  I’m so sorry, Dusk.” The kitchen was so silent Dusk could hear his own heart pounding in his ears.  He stared at Starlight, who still wouldn’t meet his gaze.  A minute passed. “Okay,” he said.  A veneer of false calm was his only defense against his inner panic.  It was one of the very first royal skills that Celestia and Cadance had taught him.  “Okay,  Starlight.  Can I ask why?” “I… it’s private,” she muttered.  She shook her head.  “Teaching at the School is wonderful.  It’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.  But I need to move on.  I don’t think I can keep growing here, under your shadow, forever.” Dusk had never felt so cold.  An icicle of terror shoved through his gut, up into his heart.  He could feel Sunburst frozen in horror behind him. “Of course, I respect that, Starlight.”  He was holding onto his self-control by the thinnest of threads.  “And I’m heartbroken to see you go, but I’m proud of you spreading your wings, so to speak, and finding your own way.” “That easy?” Starlight muttered, so low that Dusk probably wasn’t supposed to hear.  “Thanks, Dusk.  I’ll start looking for other postings, too.”  She smiled, though she still wasn’t looking at him.  “I don’t suppose I could get a letter of recommendation?” “As many as you need,” Dusk whispered.  “Can I ask you one thing?” “It depends,” Starlight said warily. “Did I do something wrong?” Starlight’s whole body tensed, sitting stiff in her seat.  Fluttershy gasped, looking away.   “No.  No, you’ve done nothing wrong,” she said.  “You’re… I mean, you’ve been perfect.  Sorry, I have to go.”  She stood up from her seat, and fled out of the room. Dusk turned, sharing a look with Sunburst.  His own horror was written in his eyes. “What now?” he breathed. “Rarity.  I need advice.”  He glanced over at Fluttershy, who looked like she was about to chase after Starlight.  “Fill in Fluttershy.  She can keep a secret.” “Dusk, but what…” “I have to fix this!” He said, his horn glowing.  “Sunburst, you talk to Fluttershy.  She’s good with this kind of thing.” “Dusk, how can we…” But Dusk’s panic was already in full swing.  His horn filled with crackling energy, and he reached out with magic, his mind fixed on the facade of Carousel Boutique.  With a snap of magic and ozone, he teleported, pulling himself through reality. Dusk Shine realized his mistake before he even opened his eyes.  The outside air of Ponyville was frigid.  Icicles draped off of the eaves and raingutters of all the buildings, like a shimmering holiday garland decorating the eaves.  Carousel Boutique was no exception; indeed, Rarity had specifically decorated around the icicles, incorporating them into the twinkling lights and evergreen garland that draped around her shop. Dusk shivered, wishing he’d brought a scarf, or a coat.  Rarity was sure to scold him.  Desperately he prayed, hoping that she would be open, that she’d be in.  Maybe she’d be able to fix this.  He dashed for the door, keeping his wings tight to his barrel for some measure of warmth. Dusk let out a sigh of relief when the door opened to his magic.  The ding of the bell at the door filled him with hope. “Rarity!  RARITY!  Disaster!  Ruin!  The Worst Possible Thing!” Rarity wasn’t in sight, but her voice floated casually from the back room.  “You know where the fainting couch is, darling.  I’ll be out in a minute.” “I don’t know if I have a minute!” He cried, throwing himself on the fainting couch that Rarity had placed among the racks of dresses and suits, for customers to sit while she showed off her fashions. “Oh, I’m sure you’re just being dramatic,” Rarity said with no sense of irony as she trotted into the room.  She wore her glasses, with her measuring tape around her neck.  “Whatever it is, I’m sure that with your friends at your side, you can…” “Starlight says she’s moving out!” he shouted, and Rarity sat back on her haunches. “Oh.  Oh my.  That is a disaster.”  Rarity blinked a few times, then stood again, moving over to the couch so she could pat him on the shoulder comfortingly.  “Well, you’re going to have to move up your plans a little, aren’t you?” “But it’s not ready yet,” he breathed. “Hmm.  Well, fill me in on what has happened so far,” she said, and he began to talk. He told her all about the success of their experiment last night, their progress, and even falling asleep in the lab.  He spoke about waking up to Fluttershy, and the brief, stilted conversation with Starlight.  Rarity’s look of concern as he described Starlight’s behavior. “It may be that you have to start preparing yourself for rejection, Dusk,” she said softly, after he finished.  Dusk shuddered.  “Well?  Clearly the living situation is a strain on dear Starlight.” “But I have the solution!  I can fix this!” “I hope so, darling,” Rarity said.  “But you may have to accept the fact that you waited too long.  We shall, however, do our best to salvage the situation, though it might mean you must move up your plans a little.  Can you do so safely?” “I… I think so,” Dusk said.  “Sunburst doesn’t.  We argued last night.  But I’m confident.  Only I don’t know how to get Starlight’s essence into the spell without…”  his eyes shot wide.  “Oh.  OH!  That could work!  I have to talk to Sunburst!”  His horn began to glow. “Good…” Rarity began, before there was a blinding flash of light, and Dusk Shine disappeared. “...luck, darling.”