//------------------------------// // Lesson 1: Be Polite // Story: The New Moon Rises // by Kit Wolfkat //------------------------------// Lesson 1: Be Polite. “What’re you reading there Spike?” Spike sat at a dining table across to Twilight Sparkle. He looked up from the story book he was reading to look back at her. “It’s the ‘Life of Old Equestria’! I saw this on the book shelf the other day, I thought it’s gonna be a great adventure book, y’know with action, fights and all that cool stuff!” making a finger gun motion in the air with his claws. “Turns out it’s just a book that’s so bland, that it would rival you, I can’t even use my imagination to think of it, and I have a great imagination!” Twilight looked at her assistant with a look of slight annoyance before chuckling a bit at his insulting but quite funny joke. “That’s because it’s a non-fiction children’s book, not an action-adventure comic type. Parents use this to help just to help their foals to sleep faster.” Spike stretched his back and his claws, yawning at Twilight’s response. “But it had potential! They could’ve detailed the battle, the kingdoms that the elder sister laid ashed to and-” “Parents will sue the author for traumatising their foals with graphic descriptions of a story that has been marketed towards children.” retorted Twilight. “Believe me Spike, you would be better off reading this instead of reading the actual descriptive ones. You’re not ready for the real ones.” Making a raspberry noise, he looked over the table to the empty plate he finished not too long ago. In contrast, Twilight’s plate hasn’t even been touched. “You didn’t even eat any of the lunch I made!” said Spike in his irritated voice whilst pointing at her untouched meal. “I’m not hungry,” she simply responded. “YOU CAN’T JUST DO THIS TO ME SPIKE, I’M PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF TAKING CARE OF MYSELF AND MY OWN WELLBEING!” as she’s being dragged across the busy streets of Canterlot by her assistant. Ignoring her shouts and pleas, he looked backed at her with a frown. “You left me no choice, if you aren’t gonna eat lunch I made, then you’ll be eating the ones we paid.” Twilight, embarrassingly lowered her head to cover her face as curious onlookers looked incredulously at the situation. Some of them were even taking photos of her! Finally, after a few minutes of a baby dragon dragging and one mare sulking, they reached their destination. “Donut Joe’s Cafe?” Releasing his claw from her hoof, he looked at her with a grin on his face. “Of course, the best place to have lunch with, donuts, coffee and tea’s galore!” Twilight looked back at her assistant, “Oh Spike, you worry too much. Still, I appreciate you ‘trying’ to take care of me.” she thought to herself. They walked in the cafe to find the cafe was very packed with customers: Changelings in suits, tapping away at their typewriters. Construction ponies having brunch with their buddies. And even various students and teenagers leisurely sitting around or doing their schoolwork. The store had a sort of rustic and traditional look, illuminated by various incandescent light bulbs. Decorated on the walls are various photographs of capital itself: Landmarks, parks, and even the royal palace. On the store counter, a radio was tuned to Channel 4: The Canterlot News Broadcast station. From the counter itself, an amber unicorn stallion with an orange mane was occupying the register, sporting white apron. Twilight Sparkle and Spike sat down a vacant table near the window, overlooking the busy Canterlot Market Square. As they sat, a blue pegasus mare with a yellow mane walks over to the table. She wore a simple a black bowtie and gave a look of hospitality to her new customers. “Welcome to Donut Joe’s Cafe! What would you and your fine pet would like to have? I recommend our glazed butter donuts and our renowned cappuccino with-” the waitress started. “First! I’m not a pet, I’m her valuable assistant! And second! I want pretzels!” The waitress gave a look of sheepishness to Spike before replying, “Oh I am incredibly sorry sir! It was very inappropriate for me to refer to you as a pet!” Now turning her attention to Twilight, who conveniently brought a book to read. “Uh, what about you miss what would you like to have?” “Just give me a chocolate donut with sprinkles and tea.” said Twilight as she continues reading the book. With a smile of hospitality, the waitress nodded and quickly made herself to the counter so she could process the order. Finally, some peace and quiet. Twilight thought. “Uh.. Twilight?” ‘Or not.’ Sighing and looking towards Spike across the table. “What do you want, Spike?” “Not to sound rude or anything, but couldn’t you at least look her when you’re ordering?” “You mean the server?” she replied. “Yeah honestly, it’s kinda rude?” “Well, I don’t think so. Besides, you said it yourself we’re here to eat our lunch. Not to make friends or any of those useless things.” Spike looked at the busy cafe before replying. “I don’t think it would be useless, in fact it’s about time you made some more friends!” Looking at him with a face of irritation. As she was about to reply, a plateful of chocolate donuts and tea and a plate of pretzels was placed between them. “Here you go! Enjoy your meal you two!” the waitress said before scurrying off to service more customers. “Well, just in time.” Before she even touched her plate Spike had already taken 2 pretzels in his hand, busily eating them with an audible crunch. Giving a slight chuckle to herself as she bit into a chocolate donut, “Donut Joe’s Donuts never disappoints!” she said in silence. …… “Wait a minute, isn’t that the ‘Life of Old Equestria’ book you’re reading?” as Spike points at the book while his mouth is still full of pretzels. “Indeed! And before you ask why, Princess Luna gave me this task to prepare a report on Old Equestria.” With a look of pride, as she continues. Raising her hoof above her head, “The Princess would be proud of my work!” Spike, who finished his pretzels already, just gave a look of surprise. Suddenly, he started to cough and choke. Twilight watched as Spike barfed out a scroll rolled in blue velvet fabric. “This must be from Princess Luna! Spike, can you read it out for me real quick, I need to finish my tea.” Twilight said to Spike as she started sipping. Grabbing the scroll and unrolled it, he read out: My Dear Twilight Sparkle, The initial draft of the report was quite outstanding, containing over 10 thousand words, not only you detailed the list of past events so vividly but also the environment explicitly stated in such a beautiful fashion. “See? I told you she is proud of my work!” Twilight exclaimed jubilantly. I do have some concerns of your wellbeing, however; you spent much of your time reading dusty old books, plain manuscripts, I’m shocked you are still reluctant to amuse your time with friends. Twilight almost chocked on her tea, but not as much as she was shocked to hear of the princess’s words. I have no doubt that right now you are reading another book, which brings me to a much more, urgent task for you to accomplish. “What task?” she asked while continuing to sip. As of now, your initial task of writing the history of Old Equestria is to be postponed. For this new task: you are to supervise the 999th Lunar Moon Celebration which is being held in the town of Ponyville, south of Canterlot. “PFUUUHHH!!” as Twilight spat the remaining tea she was sipping right at Spike’s face.