Chapter 36
– Quality Time –
“Starlight, tell me what we're doing today.” Comet demanded, trying to get her teacher to answer.
“If I did, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise now would it?” Starlight said cheerfully.
Comet pouted at the older mare, making Starlight giggle.
The two ponies were in the park, a beautiful day out with Celestia’s sun shining brightly in the sky. Ponies ran back and forth through the fields, smiles on all their faces. Not a care in the world.
Starlight carried a bag in her magic, occasionally moving it out of Comet’s way, thwarting her attempts to discover its contents. Soon, the pair had stopped where there was a good amount of free space from other ponies. Starlight sat down with the bag next to her as she looked at her student.
“Alright Comet, today we’ll be starting on some more advanced forms of magic. And having some extra fun while we’re at it.” Starlight smiled.
“Come on, come on. What’s in the bag?” Comet asked, jumping up and down.
“Alright alright.” Starlight said, unzipping the bag.
Comet looked in wonder as the bag opened, she couldn’t quite make out what was in the bag, it looked like some cloth and string. As Starlight started to pull the objects out of the bag, Comet’s eye grew wide.
Floating in Starlight’s magic were two kites, both with their coat and mane colors. Comet’s kite had a rune design on it, reminding her of all the books she had been reading for the past few days. Starlight’s kite was simple but beautifully colored and smoothly designed.
“Wooooow.” Comet said in awe.
“Today, we’re gonna fly kites.” Starlight said.
But something was wrong, Comet looked around and felt that there was something missing.
“But Starlight, there’s no wind today.” Comet said.
“Oh I know. Which is why today’s lesson is wind magic.” Starlight said, winking at Comet.
Comet gasped, “Wind magic?”
“That’s right. Your task today is to create and control gusts of wind to fly your kite. Don’t think it’ll be easy though. Wind is one of the hardest elements to master.” Starlight said smiling.
“Eeeee! I’ve always wanted to learn elemental magic. This is gonna be so cool!” Comet said, practically skipping around Starlight.
“Alright, come on Comet. Focus here.” Starlight said, pointing to herself.
Starlight took her kite and started to channel her magic into the air itself, creating a small gust of wind, enough to carry the kite high into the sky and settle at just the right altitude.
“Alright, now you try. Focus on going with the flow of the wind. Even if you can’t feel it, there is always wind around us.” Starlight said.
Comet took a deep breath and focused her magic, she could feel energy all around herself. She tried tapping into this energy and following the flow. It felt like flowing down a river, going to and fro across the sky. However, as soon as she got lost in the flow, something felt weird.
Comet opened her eyes, finding herself five feet off the ground, her braid flowing to her side like she was a flag pole. Starlight was giggling and the embarrassment made Comet lose focus and start to fall. She was caught in Starlight’s magical glow and placed on the ground.
“Strong start Comet. You’ve got the feel of it now. Although, you can’t get lost in the flow. Or else the wind will use you for the kite.” Starlight said.
Comet blushed, “This is hard.”
Starlight brushed her student’s mane, “Told you so. Don’t worry about it though, most ponies have trouble feeling the flow. All your time in the wilderness with Trail must have really got you attuned to nature and the elements.”
“I’m gonna get this, no matter what!” Comet said, grinning as she charged up her horn again.
This time she didn’t get lost in the flow, she kept her focus and put more magic into shaping the currents. More magic flowed from her horn. This was the feeling, it had to be!
“Ahh!” A shout came from above Comet’s head.
Comet opened her eyes once again, looking upwards to see what was going on. She paled as she saw the terrified look of Starlight Glimmer, hovering in the air, clenching her kite string close to her chest as the air streams kept her and her kite aloft.
“A bit too much sweetie!” Starlight shouted.
Comet blushed again, focusing her magic on her teacher, pulling her back down to the ground.
As Starlight touched the ground, she let out the breath she was holding. She then looked to her student, who had her eyes to the ground.
“Sorry Starlight. I guess I tried too hard.” Comet said, her voice saddened.
Starlight just smiled and nuzzled the filly, “Comet, it’s only your second try. Plus if that’s the amount of power you can pull off, you’ll be a real master when you get control of the wind.”
“Really?” Comet said, eyes bright as stars.
“Really. Now, come on. I think that’s enough for now. We’ve got to get you back to class.” Starlight said.
Comet soon jumped on her teacher’s back, “To the school!”
“Since when did you forget how to walk?” Starlight joked.
“I feel faint. I’ve used too much magic. As the adult, you’re responsible.” Comet said dramatically.
Starlight rolled her eyes, “Somepony has been taking drama lessons from Rarity.”
Starlight just smiled as she walked through the park, Comet now fully asleep on her back, having truly used a bit too much magic at the end there. Starlight didn’t mind, not like Comet was heavy.
As they reached the last stretch of the park, a couple passed by them and the mare looked back at them.
“Oh how darling. A mother and her filly, and the poor dear is all worn out.” She said.
Starlight almost lost her footing right there, looking back at the couple who had already turned and were out of earshot.
Starlight couldn’t help but look back at Comet on her back. She was so peaceful when she slept. Starlight couldn’t help but smile, the warm feeling in her chest felt so foreign to her. She liked it though.
As the two moved through Ponyville, they soon made it back to the school. Sitting closeby was the wagon of none other than Starlight’s best friend, the Great and Powerful Trixie. Trixie herself was nowhere to be seen, meaning she was probably still asleep.
Starlight and Comet decided to go give her a wake up call.
Knocking on the wagon door, Starlight called out to her friend, “Trixie. Are you awake?”
A grumble came from inside, and out popped the head of the Great and Powerful Trixie from the window, “Starlight, why are you up so early?”
Starlight raised an eyebrow at her friend, “Trixie, it’s almost noon.”
“Is it? Trixie must have forgotten to set her alarm.” Trixie said sleepily.
“Or you were up all night and slept in?” Starlight said, making Comet giggle.
Trixie stuck her tongue out at her friend, “The Great and Powerful Trixie does her best work at night. Dazzling the night sky with her wonders and splendors.”
“Is that why Smoulder was yelling at you that one time?” Comet asked.
Trixie chuckled nervously, “Trixie may have went a little overboard that night. That dragon friend of yours is quite loud when she wants to be.”
Starlight laughed, “So Trixie, what are you up to today?”
“Trixie needs to go into town and prepare for her next trip.” Trixie said.
“You’re going away, Miss Trixie?” Comet said sadly.
Trixie smiled and pet the filly’s mane, “Trixie is only leaving for a few days sweetie. Trixie is making an appearance in Baltimare.”
“Ooh Baltimare! I’ve been there. They’ve got the best salt water taffy in Equestria. There’s a shop in the port that makes it the best.” Comet said.
Trixie looked the filly right in the eye, “Trixie wants to know everything there is to see in Baltimare now.”
Comet giggled and began telling the magician every single restaurant and shopping mall in the port city. Starlight was so happy that her best friend was getting along with Comet so well. That feeling in her chest started coming back. Like at the park. What was this feeling whenever she was with Comet? It was like seeing Comet so happy and carefree made her day all the more special.
The school bell rang, ending the thoughts and conversations of the group.
“Oh, there’s the bell. Come on young filly, we’ve got to get you to class.” Starlight said.
“Yes Starlight. Bye Miss Trixie, come home soon.” Comet said, hugging Trixie.
Trixie was shocked by the sudden hug, and didn’t know what to do at first. She looked to Starlight for help, and got an encouraging smile in return. Trixie hugged the filly back and set her down.
“Trixie will be back soon. Keep up your studies and one day you’ll be as Great and Powerful as Trixie!” Trixie said, posing for the filly.
“Yee!” Comet cheered gleefully.
Trixie left soon after and the two were off once again to the school.
As the two walked away, two pairs of eyes could be seen in the bushes a few yards aways.
“I think I’ve found the perfect way to strike at Starlight.” Fake Trail said.
“Yes, I think we’ve found just what we need. Who knew Trixie could actually be useful?” Fake Twilight said.
“Let’s report to the Queen.” Fake Trail said, disappearing into the forest.
Fake Twilight looked towards the school, “Soon all of this will be mine. This is gonna be fun.”
She too disappeared from the bush and into the forest.
“Comet, you think you can help with my art project? I’m no good with this kind of stuff.” Smoulder said, erasing her drawing.
“Of course I’ll help out. Now you gotta have more confidence in yourself Smoulder. You can be really creative when you put your mind to it.” Comet said, sitting next to the dragon.
“I mean, I kinda doddled back home. I never let anyone other than Garble see them.” Smoulder grumbled.
“Well, now others will get to see your creativity too. Now come on, get a fresh paper and just let your mind fly free.” Comet said.
Smoulder grabbed a new paper and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly with a puff of flame and when she looked at her paper, the upper left corner was set aflame.
“Oh crap!” Smoulder said, quickly stomping out the flame.
“Maybe we take a deep breath and then pick up the paper.” Comet said, passing her another paper.
Smoulder blushed in embarrassment and set the paper down to begin her drawing again.
“You know, you’re really passionate about your art. Almost as much as your magic. I wouldn’t be surprised if your cutiemark ended up being something that symbolizes both.” Sandbar said.
“Yeah, what’s up with your cutiemark anyway? I thought ponies get one when they’re little.” Gallus asked.
Comet’s ears folded to her head, “I don’t know why I never got one.”
She looked at her blank flank, wondering what her special talent truly was.
“Hey, no worries. You’ll find it, and it’ll be the coolest cutiemark anyone has ever seen.” Silverstream reassured her.
Comet smiled and went back to her own drawing. It was of her and Starlight in the park this morning. She had so much fun learning about wind magic and flying her kite. She still couldn’t believe that Starlight made that kite for her from scratch. She was the best teacher ever.
And not only that, she was dating her Dad. It was strange at first, but she never saw her Daddy so happy before. Starlight even tucked her in when she stayed for dinner. She was the best mare in the world.
And with those thoughts going through her head, Comet remembered all the times with her aunts doing the exact same things. Tucking her in, teaching her new things, buying her ice cream. Although, with Starlight, it felt different. Like something more. Comet didn’t know what to call it, or how to explain it.