//------------------------------// // Arc 2: Chapter 8 // Story: Time Enough For Three // by Valtyra //------------------------------// “Starlight, I don’t know about this,” Twilight muttered as she brushed a lock of hair back behind her ear, then glanced at the mare. “I doubt he’d want to see me again after what I did.” Starlight rolled her eyes. “Trust me, Twilight,” she began, moving behind the alicorn and gently nudging her forward with her shoulder. “Besides, as your adviser, I’m advising you to do this!” she laughed, magically reaching out and knocking on Note Pad’s office door. “Remember to smile,” she sang, then backed away, keeping an eye on the mare to make sure she didn’t suddenly teleport away. There was some shuffling of papers and the squeak of a chair as the stallion made his way over to the door. His silhouette could be seen through the frosted glass, causing Twilight to tense up, knowing that he would be horribly angry at her, but a quick pat on the shoulder from Starlight’s magical aura put her somewhat at ease. “Thank you,” Twilight whispered just before the door opened to reveal the shocked stallion. “T-Twilight Sparkle…” Note Pad said, not knowing what else to say as he stood staring at her. Twilight found it harder to breath and held a hoof to her breast. “I- I wanted to apologise,” she choked out, looking as if she was about to be on the verge of tears. “I overreacted.” It was clear that she was having a hard time with this and the sight of a Princess in such a state- something which would shock a regular pony, but thankfully Notepad wasn't a regular doctor, he was a therapist for the castle- knocked the doctor out of his shock and into action. He slowly moved over and gently used a hoof to lead Twilight into the room, passing a grateful smile to Starlight who had stuck around at the end of the hall, then closed the door. Once inside, he sat her down on the chaise and filled a cup of water to give to her. “Here,” he said, placing it in her hoof. “Drink it slowly.” It was clear that his scorched carpet was the last thing on the poor stallion’s mind as he knelt next to Twilight and rubbed her shoulder. After a few minutes, Note Pad stood up and wandered over to his desk to begin writing a short letter, then placed it in a small slot next to his door. “Prince-“ he stopped himself, then smiled. “Twilight. I want you to know that I don’t blame you for what happened,” he stated, walking over to his chair and moving it around to place it next to the chaise. “I clearly pushed too hard, and I’d like you to know that I apologise profusely. Twilight, by now, had calmed enough that she could think clearly, even if her breathing was still rather laboured. “Can we,” she breathed. “Start over?” Note Pad’s smile widened, and he nodded. “Nothing would make me happier.” Starlight backed away from Note Pad’s office and began to make her way over to the banquet hall where she had been instructed to meet the others. While the letter that she had received prior to being called to Fluttershy’s wasn’t overly detailed, she could nevertheless sus out that there was something fishy going on- primarily because Princess Cadance would be joining them. She wandered down the halls, nodding to the guards as she passed them, the then let out a soft oof as she turned the corner and bumped into a stallion. She stumbled back and shook her head, startled. "Watch where you're going, mare," he grunted, glancing down at her then brushing his golden mane back. "You nearly made me drop my coffee," he added, his coffee cup floating within his magical aura beside him. Starlight sighed. "Blueblood. How nice to see you," she replied dryly. "I'm sure it is," he responded before taking a sip. "Who are you again? I can never remember the names of the strays Aunty brings back." With barely restrained annoyance, Starlight turned and walked around him. "I'm Starlight. Advisor to Princess Sparkle," she answered, keeping her eyes looking to where she was going. "I don't have time for you; I have places to be. Now, if you'll excuse-" "Oh? Is this about the contingent of guards placing a pony in the dungeon? Something that hasn't been used in quite a long time?" Blueblood interrupted, moving in front of her with a smirk. It was his turn to start to circle Starlight. "Or maybe the fact that the newest Princess has somehow lost a wing without any doomsday shown up?" "I have no idea what you're talking about, Blueblood," Starlight replied, trying to keep her cool. "I just got here. I've been in Ponyville all week and I have dinner with the Princesses," she explained, rolling her eyes as she slipped around him to continue walking towards the dining hall. "Ah yes," he continued, following slightly behind her. His eyes were focused on the side of her face and ear which seemed to twitch a little. "That dinner which I was so gracelessly denied from, despite being family." "Blueblood, you're not family," Starlight snapped, flicking her eyes towards him. "Princess Celestia only has one sister and Princess Luna hasn't birthed yet, so she can't be your aunty," she retorted, holding back a sneer. "Besides, the dinner is only for the Princesses and their friends." Blueblood frowned. "It's a figure of speech," he quickly replied, glaring down at her as they passed by the royal dining hall. "A figure of speech," Starlight muttered matter-of-factly as she looked into the dining hall. "I see. Well, this is where I leave you. I'd like to say it's been enjoyable talking to you, but I'd be lying." "Same here, Starlight." Blueblood stepped to the side and began to walk off, only to glance back with a quizzical look. "Same here."