//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Settling In // Story: Daughters of the Purge // by Nebula Star //------------------------------// Chapter 7: Settling In *** It only took them a little longer to finish going through the scrolls and placing the last few prisons on the map. Twilight then made a copy of the map for Daring and also gave her one of the amplifiers, suggesting that she take the next couple of days to make plans with Rainbow and also get used to the amplifier. Daring had agreed and went to try it out on her own. Knowing she’d likely be gone for several days once they left, Rainbow decided to spend the rest of the day with Twilight and the fillies. “Well, now that we’ve got that done. Would you girls like a tour of Ponyville, and maybe we could get some dinner while we’re out?” Twilight asked. Ania and Adikia exchanged glances, and Adikia smiled and nodded. “Okay, that doth sound good.” Ania said looking back up at Twilight. Twilight gave her a smile then looked up at the others. “Rainbow, Spike; you coming too?” “Of course!” Rainbow said, getting to her hooves. “If that’s alright with the fillies.” Spike said, knowing they were still uncomfortable around him. Ania looked at him for a moment then nodded. He smiled. “Alright then. I’ll come with.” “Great!” Twilight said happily and looked back at the fillies. “So I was thinking while we’re showing you around town, we could stop by a few of my friends’ places and introduce you. Do you think you’d be up to that?” Ania glanced over at her sister and got a shrug in return. “Okay, I doth suppose that would be alright.” “Alright, let’s get going then! We’ll stop by Rarity’s boutique first. Then you’ve already met Pinkie, but we can stop by Sugarcube Corner anyway so you can see the bakery. Come on!” Feather, waiting by the door, stepped out first while Twilight led the rest, closing the door behind them. She then led the way with the fillies to one side and Rainbow on the other with Spike trailing behind with Captain Feather. “Rarity is actually a fairly famous fashion designer.” Twilight told the fillies as they walked. “Even though she started in a small town like Ponyville, she’s managed to make a name for herself, even in the big cities.” “Did they even have fashion three thousand years ago?” Rainbow asked, rolling her eyes a bit. “Yes.” Ania told her. “Many of the council would compete with one another with their fashion. Some didst put a great amount of effort into finding the best tailors and seamstresses among the mortals they didst enslave.” Rainbow just groaned. Twilight smiled at her marefriend’s reaction. “Did you girls have any dresses or gowns of your own?” “No.” Adikia said sounding a little sad about it. “Our mother didst not care for fashion… She didst believe it a waste of time.” Twilight looked over at Rainbow raising a brow. “Well, I mean… even I have to admit sometimes it’s nice to look good. To feel beautiful.” She admitted with a slight blush, remembering how it had felt when she’d gotten all dressed up for the Grand Galloping Gala. With a smile, Twilight looked over at the fillies. “Well I’m sure Rarity would love to make both of you a gown or two. And it’s always good to have something on hoof; you never know when you’ll need formal wear.” “Really!?” Adikia said sounding excited. “I doth suppose it would be nice to have a dress to wear for formal engagements.” Ania said smiling, though she wasn’t quite as excited as her sister. “The hard part will be convincing her to let me pay her for them…” Rainbow laughed. “Heh, yeah. Rares does tend to be a bit too generous with friends at times.” “Will they cost much?” Ania asked, sounding a little worried. “Oh no, even if I convince Rarity to let me pay for them, she’ll likely barely charge more than they cost her to make.” Twilight assured them. “Don’t worry about the cost.” Ania nodded and for a bit the just looked around as they walked. There were a few ponies out and about, and a couple waved, but though they clearly noticed the two fillies with Twilight and Rainbow, none seemed to notice that both sported both wings and a horn. “Here we are.” Twilight said turning toward a large round and very fancy looking building. Being normal business hours, Twilight didn’t hesitate to open the door and go right in, the bell over the door announcing their arrival. “Hello, welcome to carousel boutique… oh, it’s you Twilight.” Rarity said coming out of the back room. She smiled as the rest of the group entered. “Rainbow, Spike, and…” her eyes widened slightly as she looked at the two fillies. “Oh my, who’s this?” Twilight smiled. “Rarity, I’d like to introduce, Ania, and her sister Adikia.” She then turned to the fillies. “Girls, this is my good friend, Rarity.” “We art pleased to meet thee.” Ania said watching Rarity’s reaction. Rarity looked shocked a moment more before responding. “I’m pleased to meet you as well, it’s not every day I meet two alicorn fillies. Where in the world did you two come from?” Ania looked over at Twilight wondering if she should answer. “You heard about Apple Bloom running off and spending a night in the Everfree, right?” Twilight asked. “Of course, Sweetie was in quite a state she was so worried. She hardly slept at all.” “Well while she was out there, she and a couple others happened to find an ancient prison, and inside they found these two along with a note from Starswirl himself stating that they’d been imprisoned simply for being alicorns.” Rarity put a hoof to her chest and looked down at the fillies, her eyes full of sympathy. “Goodness… that must have been horrible.” It was reassuring to Ania, seeing such genuine sympathy for what she and her sister had gone through in yet another mortal pony. “Twas frightening… we didst not know what they intended when they didst capture us.” “I can hardly imagine. Well you’re safe now in Equestria, don’t you worry,” Rarity assured them. Twilight smiled, turning back toward the fillies. “Rarity is also Sweetie Belle’s older sister.” Rarity glanced at Twilight looking surprised. “Oh, have you already met Sweetie?” The fillies nodded. “They didst come to the library this morning,” Ania told her. “Apple Bloom wanted to introduce them.” Twilight explained. “I see, well I’m glad it sounds like they’ve all made up. Sweetie was so worried Apple Bloom wouldn’t forgive her for what she said.” “Well she needn’t have worried. Their friendship is much too strong for one argument to break.” Twilight said smiling fondly. “Anyway, Ania and Adikia are going to be staying with me for now; so I thought I’d take them around to meet all the rest of the girls, and show them the town while we’re at it.” “I see, that does seem like a marvelous idea. It’s such a nice day out, I do wish I could join you, but I’m afraid I have an order I need to get done by this coming Wednesday and I need to keep at it if I don’t want to fall behind.” “Well, we won’t keep you from it.” Twilight told her understandingly. “Is it alright if the girls look around for a bit?” She asked noticing Adikia was already looking at one of the dresses displayed on a ponykin nearby. Rarity smiled. “Of course! And I’m not so pressed for time that I can’t take a couple minutes to show you around.” “Thanks, Rarity.” “Yeah, it’s not like I could tell them anything about all these froufrou dresses.” Rainbow added with a smirk. Rarity could only roll her eyes at that. ~~~ Rarity gave them a brief tour of the boutique, mostly letting the fillies look around and ask questions, they didn’t stay too long though as Twilight wanted to show them the rest of the town. Their next stop was Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie was working behind the counter, but that didn’t stop her from enthusiastically greeting them, which called a fair amount of attention to them, making Ania a little nervous as she watched for any negative reactions to her and her sister. Fortunately there weren’t any and after a quick treat, they were on their way again, heading toward their next destination. Ania looked around the large, mostly natural yard along the path leading up to an adorable looking cottage just on the edge of the forest. There was a stream running through it, with a charming little bridge, lily pads in the water and cattails along the shore. Wildflowers were blooming throughout the yard while the trees were just starting to show some fall colors. There were also numerous animal burrows visible and quite a few bird houses hanging in the trees. Leading the way to the door, Twilight knocked. A moment later the door opened and a yellow pegasus with a pink mane looked out. “Hello?” she said seeming a little nervous at first but relaxing as soon as she saw Twilight and Rainbow. “Oh, Twilight, Rainbow!” “Hi, Fluttershy!” “Hey, Flutters!” Fluttershy smiled. “Discord and I were just having tea, would you like to…” She started then spotted to fillies and her eyes widened a bit in surprise. “Oh! Who’s this?” “Discord’s here?” Rainbow asked before Twilight could answer, mildly surprised herself. “Indeed!” The draconequus in question said appearing in the doorway. Ania looked up at him in surprise; Twilight had mentioned him being defeated by the princesses to end what they called the discordian era, but she hadn’t said anything about him still being around. She and her sister didn’t go unnoticed by him. “Well, well, well! If it isn’t the infamous Ania and Adikia!” Adikia shied back slightly, hiding a bit behind Ania. “Infamous?” Fluttershy repeated looking at the fillies in confusion. “Oh yes, it was quite a stir for those boring alicorns of the imperium council when word got out that Achlys had had two alicorn daughters.” Ania looked at Fluttershy worried what her reaction would be at the mention of their mother. The pegasus’ eyes went wide looking down at them in shock. “It’s alright, Fluttershy.” Spike spoke up from behind them. “They’re not at all like their mother.” Fluttershy looked up at him then seeming to relax a little looked back down at the fillies. “Oh, uh… okay.” “Apple Bloom found their prison,” Twilight explained. “Apparently Starswirl had rigged it so it would draw ponies in to free them after a few thousand years, and left a message explaining that they were innocent and had been imprisoned just for being alicorns.” “Oh my.” “Yes, I suppose their infamy was entirely due to being Achlys’ daughters.” Discord rolled his eyes. “The council members were terrified they’d turn out to be just as powerful as Achlys herself.” “Mother didst teach us a lot of magic…” Ania said softly. “As soon as we were able to use it, she didst train us.” Adikia nodded in agreement. Twilight stretched a wing around them both in a comforting embrace. “It would probably be for the best if you both keep that to yourselves. We don’t want ponies to associate them with Achlys. They’ve already had a hard enough life thanks to their parentage.” “Oh, of course!” Fluttershy agreed. “If I must.” Discord said with a sigh. “Twilight didst tell us that thou didst cause some trouble after the alicorns were gone.” Ania said looking up at him. “Mother didst teach us how to fight one such as thee if necessary.” Discord groaned. “Not another one… as if Lulu and dear Twilight weren’t enough already.” “It’s alright girls; I probably should have mentioned that we actually convinced Discord that having friends was better than causing trouble,” Twilight told them. “Especially when those friends don’t mind a little chaos in their lives,” Discord added. “Just so long as a certain draconequus keeps it away from my checklists and library.” Twilight said in a warning tone. “You’re no fun.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Well anyway, the fillies are going to be staying with me for now, so I was just taking them around to show them the town and introduce them to the rest of the girls. So let me introduce you and we’ll let you get back to your tea,” she told them, then gestured to each of the fillies. “This is Ania, and her little sister Adikia. Girls, this is my good friend Fluttershy, and I suppose you’ve already met Discord.” “Pleased to meet thee.” Ania and Adikia said together both feeling a bit more relaxed. “Oh, I’m very pleased to meet you too. Are you sure you wouldn’t like to join us for tea?” Fluttershy asked. Twilight smiled but shook her head. “No we still need to get out to Sweet Apple Acres, and then see the rest of the town on our way back. Plus we were already planning on getting some dinner. So we’ll just let you get back to your tea. Thanks though.” “Okay then.” Fluttershy smiled and looked down at the fillies. “I guess I’ll see you around!” she said, giving a wave. “Goodbye!” the fillies both said together. “See ya, Flutters!” Rainbow said waving back along with the others as they started back toward the road. Returning to the road, Twilight turned toward Sweet Apple Acres. “Well, that just leaves Applejack, then we’ll get some dinner on the way back through town, sound good?” “Yes. You didst say that Applejack is Apple Bloom's elder sister, correct?” Twilight smiled and nodded. “Yep and they live out on their farm, Sweet Apple Acres; it’s just a bit further.” They’d just about reached the main gate to the Acres when Captain Feather gave a soft laugh from behind them. “Incoming.” Twilight was about to ask what she meant when they all heard the galloping of small hooves coming up the road behind them. “Twilight!” Apple Bloom called grinning as she led the other crusaders and Diamond Tiara, trying to catch up. “Ania, Adikia!” “Hi Apple Bloom!” Adikia called back happily, and Ania smiled. “Hi!” Apple Bloom said reaching them. “Y’all heading out to the farm?” Twilight nodded. “Yes, we’ve been showing them around Ponyville. Would you like to show them around and introduce the rest of your family.” “Sure! Come on! AJ and Big Mac are probably working out in the orchard, but Ah bet Granny Smith is up at the house!” Apple Bloom said and hurried off, leading the way.” Ania glanced up at Twilight looking a little bemused by Apple Bloom’s excitement. Twilight just smiled and gestured for her and Adikia to follow. “Go on, we’ll be right behind you.” Ania nodded and together she and Adikia took off after the other fillies. Laughing softly Twilight glanced over at Rainbow, and together they followed at a bit more relaxed pace. It was clear Apple Bloom was eager to be Ania and Adikia’s friend; and as the princess of friendship, she certainly wasn’t going to get in their way. Twilight did notice that Diamond Tiara was still with them, and really the pink filly seemed happier than Twilight had ever seen her before. Perhaps she too was just in need of good friends. ~~~ Twilight glanced over her desk and the various forms and scrolls spread across it. It had been a few days now since the fillies arrived, and already she’d realized there were quite a few things she needed to take care of if she wanted to care for them. Including quite a few legal matters that she needed to take care of. Before her were the documents that would make them official citizens of Equestria, as well as registering herself as their legal guardian. Then there was another couple forms to register them for school; she wasn’t sure how ready they were for that just yet, but she knew it was something that would be good for them, especially when it came to helping them adjust to the modern times. So far none of the documents were completed. She needed to talk to the girls, and not just for the paperwork. Also on the desk was a letter she’d received back from Princess Celestia asking to meet the fillies, as well as a letter from her mother asking the same; Twilight should have guessed Trixie would tell her. She was thinking she’d take them up to Canterlot the coming weekend after Rainbow and Daring set out on their trip to explore northeastern Equestria in search of the ancient prisons. But they’d barely had a few days to get used to ponyville so far; how would they handle being in a city like Canterlot? And of course, there was the political side to consider. Already word was getting around Ponyville; if she took the fillies to Canterlot, it wouldn’t be long before all of Equestria knew that there were two new alicorns. Even though they weren’t to be princesses; they were still alicorns, and just that carried significant weight in the eyes of the average pony. Fortunately, Princess Celestia would likely be handling most of that side of things. She glanced toward the door. The fillies had actually gone out with Apple Bloom and the crusaders after the other fillies had gotten out of school, though Twilight got the impression that Ania was only going to keep an eye on Adikia. Being a few years older than the rest, she seemed to feel just a little out of place. She did seem happy though, and was relaxing more day by day. Perhaps eventually she’ll be willing to let Adikia out of her sight, then Twilight hoped she’d manage to find some friends her own age. Until then though, Twilight certainly understood her wanting to keep a protective eye on her little sister after all they’d been through. She hoped they’d had a good time with the Crusaders, but they should be getting back soon. She had asked them to be back in time for dinner, which Spike was currently in the kitchen cooking while she filled out forms. Turning back to the desk, she took some time to look over what she’d completed so far; it never hurt to triple check after all. She’d only just begun when the door opened and the sister’s entered. “Welcome back, girls.” Feather said from where she’d stationed herself beside the door. “Hello Captain Feather.” Ania said smiling while Adikia grinned up at the pegasus. “Hi!” Twilight smiled. “You girls have fun with the crusaders?” “Yep, We didst play Keep Away!” Adikia told her cheerfully. “Oh, really? Was it the version they use to practice their magic?” She nodded. “I was on Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle’s team. Ania didst join Apple Bloom and her illusions.” “Did they have special ruled for the two of you?” “We didst have to be flying and could only hold the ball in our magic.” Ania told her and Adikia nodded in agreement. “Sounds like a lot of fun.” “Twas enjoyable.” Ania said smiling not nearly as excited about it as her sister but still she’d seemed to have had a good time. “That’s great; Spike is in working on dinner, but while we wait, I actually have a few things I wanted to talk to you both about.” Twilight told them. “What about?” Ania asked walking over to where Twilight was still sitting by the desk. “It’s a few things; first of all…” she levitated up a couple of the forms. “These forms are to register the two of you as official citizens of Equestria; I’ve almost got them filled out, but it occurred to me that this is a perfect opportunity for the two of you to change your names, if you want.” “Our names?” Adikia looked up at her curiously. Twilight nodded. “Do either of you know where your names come from?” “Names of spirits in the old beliefs.” Ania said in confirmation. “Not nice ones.” Adikia added looking down. “Yeah… that’s why I thought you might want to take this opportunity to change them.” Twilight said gently. “To what?” Ania asked looking up at her. “That’s up to you; It’s actually fairly common these days for ponies to change their names when they get their cutie marks. So would you like to change your names?” The sisters glanced at each other then both looked up at Twilight and nodded. Twilight smiled. “Okay; then why don’t you take some time over the next few days to think about what you’d like your names to be, then we’ll register you with your new names.” She set the forms aside on the desk and took up the next form. “Now, to go along with that. This form is to register me as your legal guardian.” “What dost that mean?” Adikia asked curiously. “It means that until you come of age, I’ll be responsible for both of you.” Twilight explained simply. “Is that alright with you?” Adikia nodded without much hesitation. Ania smiled at her sister’s quick acceptance but nodded as well. Twilight smiled as well, glad that they’d accepted. Putting that form back on the desk she took up the two letters. “The next thing I wanted to talk to you about, is that Princess Celestia has asked to meet you.” Ania looked a little hesitant. “She doth want to meet us?” “Yes. Don’t worry, she’s just being friendly, I’m sure. She really is one of the kindest ponies you’ll ever meet.” “Okay.” “However; that does mean going up to Canterlot. It’s a much larger city than Ponyville and primarily unicorns; do you think you’d be able to handle that?” Twilight asked. “Thou wilt be with us, wilt thou not?” Ania asked. “Of course, and probably Spike as well.” “Then I think we shall be alright.” She said and Adikia nodded as well. “Alright,” Twilight said with a smiled. “We’ll plan on going up to Canterlot for the weekend, then. And that brings me to the next thing I wanted to talk to you about. This other letter is from my mother. Since I’m taking care of you for now, she wants to meet you too.” “Your mother?” “Yep, my parents live in Canterlot as well, so if we go up there and I don’t bring you to meet them, I’m never going to hear the end of it.” Twilight said with a smile and roll of her eyes. Ania and Adikia both giggled. “So if we’re going to Canterlot to meet the princess, we’ll also be stopping by my parent’s house. That alright with you?” “Yes, we would be happy to meet thy parents.” Ania told her. “Are they alicorns too?” Adikia asked curiously. “No, actually. My parents are both unicorns; and actually, I guess I haven’t told you, I was originally a unicorn myself.” They both looked up at her seeming surprised. “Thou didst become an alicorn?” Ania asked. Twilight nodded. “With the help of the Elements of Harmony.” “Oh! Mother did say that Harmony could do such…” She said understanding. “Wouldst be strange to grow wings when thou didst not have them before.” “It was!” Twilight said with a laugh. “And learning to fly! I was crashing left and right!” The sister’s giggled imagining a grown pony just barely learning to fly. Replacing the letters on the desk she took up the last two forms in her magic. “There was one other thing I wanted to talk to you about. These are forms to register you both for school.” “Where the crusaders were earlier?” Adikia asked earlier. “What is school?” Ania asked. “School is a place where all the young fillies and colts in town go five days per week to learn some basic things; history, language, mathematics, and such.” “I doth suppose we could still learn history; but we have been taught mathematics and language…” “I figured you had, but I do think it would be good for both of you to go to school with the other foals. You’ll be able to spend time with others your age and even if you’ve had some teaching in the past, I’m sure there’s still plenty for you both to learn.” Twilight told them. “Like I said, you’d both be in a class together with the crusaders, and like I’m sure the crusaders will tell you, Miss Cheerilee is a great teacher.” Ania looked down at Adikia. “What dost thou think.” She frowned. “I think it might be alright if Apple Bloom and the others are there.” “Okay… then we shall try it.” Twilight smiled. “I do think it will be for the best. I’ll finish filling these out once you decide on your new names. Then I’ll speak with Cheerilee before we head up to Canterlot, about having you start school next week, does that sound alright?” “Yes.” Ania said with a nod. “Alright, well that’s everything I wanted to talk with you about. So how about we go see how Spike is doing with dinner?” “He never didst cook before.” Adikia observed. “He dost seemed to have learned well.” Ania said with a smile. “Well with how often he’s cooked for me when I was studying, he’s had a lot of practice.” ~~~ Over the next couple of days Ania and Adikia spent quite a bit of time trying to decide on their new names. They even asked Twilight if the library had a book on names, which there was. They ended up spending most of the next day in the library. Finally, the morning after that, they had decided and went to find Twilight. They found her enjoying a morning coffee in the kitchen. “Twilight?” Ania said as they entered the kitchen. Looking up from her coffee she smiled. “Morning, girls, shall we get some breakfast started?” “Um… first, we hath decided on our names.” Twilight looked at her a moment, until it registered what she’d said. “Oh! Alright, let’s get out those forms!” She said getting up from the table and going back out into the other room. The fillies followed her to the desk and she pulled out the citizenship forms. “So, what have you decided on?” Ania smiled down at her little sister and gave her a nudge with her wing, prompting her to go first. “I want my name to be… Dawn Melody.” She said with a broad smile. Twilight smiled. “That’s a lovely name. So are you sure?” She nodded confidently. “Alright.” Taking up a quill in her magic, she dipped it in the ink and quickly filled in the proper space on the form. “There we go; Dawn Melody, citizen of Equestria.” Dawn Melody smiled then looked up at her sister. “It doth fit thee, Dawn.” “And how about you, Ania; what do you want your new name to be?” She hesitated slightly, before answering. “I doth wish to be called: Winter Belle.” Twilight raised a brow. “You’re not worried ponies will think you and Sweetie Belle are related?” She blushed slightly. “I didst think of that. But Winter Belle is the name I doth wish for myself.” “Okay, so long as you’re sure.” Twilight told her with a smile. Turning toward the second form, she added the name to the proper space. “And Winter Belle. There we go; you’re both officially citizens of Equestria, and will be identified by your new names on all official documents.” Dawn Melody smiled up at her sister, Winter Belle. “We’ll get these filed properly when we go up to Canterlot.” Twilight told them. “Now, how about some breakfast!”