Today was fun.
After going out of the hospital and arriving home for a whooping lecture from my mom that lasted a few good hours, I decided to go out with my sisters. Since they were almost adults by now, they decided to take me to a Canterlot Grand Gallery. Which is simply put, a shopping spree.
My sister, Shine in particular had a great sense of 'fashion' which easily translated to her special talent, which is designing and creative work. She has a planning board with a few different tools a designer would use and a very bright red ribbon as a cutie mark.
That translates to me being constantly in one dress on another for her. She often snatched me from my room and put several collections on me before she decided I could go free. Today, she decided to buy me, herself, and her twin sister Sunset matching outfits. Pink dresses with several accessories, such as ribbons, ties, and a giant baby pink ribbon on top.
I don't need to say I looked like charcoal in a present box on Christmas, do I?
My other sister, Sunset, had a completely different approach, however. She is what's called a geek. A massive geek, and that with her 'dungeons and dragons' cutie mark of a campaign map, translates to...
"I can't believe they had this witch hat for only 12 bits! Aurora, you will look great in your wizard cosplay once we get to play on Sunday!" She said as we all strolled in unison.
"Don't... Remind me..." I replied, knowing fully well, that I will indeed look good as the character I will play "The Grand Wizard Of Destruction And Infinite Eclipse!".
I must say, even though most of her friends are her age, they do not mind me playing with them. I would even go as far as to say, they want me to play with them. Since I always seem to roll high, especially on my saving throws.
How she got me into playing with her and her friends, is a mystery. But I'm glad she did, they are my only real friends who don't care about how I look.
"Come on Aurora. You are healed by now, and you won't be getting into fights for a while, since you still have to pick out the school you want to go to. Go to a normal one, like ours." Sunset suggested.
"I still need to think this through you know? Mom said I have to pick myself, and I really think I could achieve something nice if I went to Canterlot School For Gifted Unicorns, or like dad suggested, to a Royal Academy. Which I still can do after three years in any school, especially CSFGU." I replied as we descended the stairs to the Canterlot Plaza.
"As long as you don't make us worry about you coming back all bloody, pick whatever you feel is right." Shine added. Which made me feel a bit emotional for some reason.
I need to remember that they really think of me as their little sister, and they would jump in a fire to save me. Not that I wouldn't do the same... But... Do I really deserve such kindness? After what I had done to Mom... I can't solve every problem by force.
"Aurora, your ice cream is melting." Shine brought me back through the haze of my thoughts, indeed, we were eating ice creams along the way, and it melted, making my coat sticky and green.
"Great. Good thing the dress is intact." I replied, with a groan.
"So you do like the dress!" Shine interjected, making me blush.
"No! I mean... I don't mind it..." I replied, like a real tsundere, while blushing... Wait... What was a tsundare?
Anyhow. Since we were going for a walk, we decided to visit our grandparents, they lived down the main Canterlot road, in an old stone building, which was in rather pristine condition, surprisingly.
"Oh my! What a surprise, let me kiss you, my three little princesses!" My grandma, A earth mare named Blossom, opened the door and greeted us with kisses and hugs. She was quite small, just like my mother, and her appearance was similar to her daughter's unless you count the fact she has curly hair, which most older ponies have, weird...
"Are you done? I want to greet them too you old hag!" A horse voice replied behind her, which belonged to my grandpa. Named Ruby. He was a tall dark brown unicorn, with a very stoic face, and big red eyes, just like my own. His mane was a yellow glint of banana, and he moved closer to us once Blossom moved over.
"You crone! You should wait patiently, didn't you tell me you had no problems waiting for anything yesterday?" She asked in a bit angry, but mostly playful voice.
"That was yesterday." He replied before moving over and hugging us tightly.
Their relationship at first glance was not good, but once you got to know them, you understand that's the way they are expressing love to each other. And it's quite cute if you ask me. Cursing each other existence, and pulling each other sentences. Like an old couple indeed...
"Pink dress? On my lovely little demon?!" He scolded the choice of my attire.
"Yeah, complain to Shine for picking that one." I chuckled.
"If she picked it, it's alright. But you would look better in some camo or blood." He snickered, as he, the only one perhaps was proud of me beating the shit out of those colts a few days prior.
"Don't give her more ridiculous ideas! Don't listen, and be a good filly! Remember what your mother and I told you." My grandma sued.
"Yes, Grandma." I replied, with my casual 'no emotions' expression.
I was getting good at it. Even too good, considering my mom didn't know how I felt most of the time. Which made her constantly worry about me.
We talked over coffee, some cream puffs, and some radio. As usual, nothing new has happened, and the day has become stale and mundane. As we were leaving, however, my grandpa shoved me to the side and spoke quietly with me.
"Listen my little sparkle of darkness, I don't want to pick for you, but your mother probably didn't tell you that she was in fact one of the best students in CSFGU, did she?" He spoke as his head turned around to see if Granma was listening.
"No?" I replied, a bit curious all of a sudden.
"She was marvelous, but... She decided to pursue her career as a barista... I don't blame her, that was her cutie mark after all, but if you have as little as half what your mother was capable of... Let me tell you... Next time you get into a fight, there won't be anything left to pick up. Especially if Celestia teaches you a spell or two." He smiled broadly.
"Celestia? What does she have to do with the school? Isn't the school just na-" He cut me off.
"No! It's because she herself chooses her pupils! You can learn from an actual Princess! But I believe she will learn from you once you get there." He chuckled and smiled at me, but once Granma got close he brushed me off and just added. "Remember, it's your choice."
Once we departed from our grandparents, I felt a bit strange. Like there was something in me, that specifically told me to consider CSFGU for real. I knew it would be a pain in the ass, and I would need to work hard just to get accepted, but once I was there... I felt like I could achieve something beyond great.
My mind, once it accepted that I was staying here, was searching for meaning, and I believe I found my first goal in this new life. Try to be the best I can be at magic.
And don't make my parents disappointed in me.
So no more fighting. Only hard honest work, and if a problem arises... Clear thinking for a solution. That's the path I should follow from now on.
When we got home, my mother was making dinner. And my father was absent, most likely on a patrol or something.
"Mom we are home! Granma said hey." Shine said before she and her twin disappeared into the second floor of the building, going to their separate rooms.
"Okay, sweetie!" She replied. And I came to the kitchen to speak with her.
"Mom? Do you have a minute?" I asked and she slowly turned from the hot pan.
"Of course. What do you need honey?" She replied, still looking at the pan.
"Em... I was thinking about the school... And I think I finally decided..." I said with a bit of uncertainty.
"Oh really?" She turned her head and looked at me, in her eyes I could see myself, and deeper, I also could see her worry and pain. "What did you pick?"
"I... I know I don't show much emotion, Mom... And... I was thinking of what you told me once about CSFGU. And how proud you would be if I got in... So, once I talked to Grandpa, and he said you were in-" She cut me off with a hug.
"Sorry..." She mumbled while she sobbed into me. "I shouldn't... I shouldn't pick your future for you..." She cried into me. And I hugged her deeply.
"You didn't. I decided to go there on my own mom... And make you, and Dad proud. Since I have been so... Bad." I replied, and she just threw her head back and stared at me.
"Don't ever say anything bad about yourself! You are an honest, proud, and strong mare! And you already make me proud!" She replied before she hugged me even tighter.
"That being said... Don't make me worry about you sweetheart..." She added with a sad hint in her voice.
"I promise Mom..." I replied, with a similar hint of sadness.
We stayed like that for a while, and my mind flashed white before an image of a red-haired woman appeared in my head, she was looking like someone who lost everything and was living only because she had to. Then it disappeared.
Once the weird memory faded, my mom brought me back up, dried her eyes, and kissed me on the forehead. My mind did a reset, and I came back to reality.
"I still have my old books from school in the attic, I will look for them tomorrow. I believe you have a lot to learn in just two months before the entry exam. But I'm sure you will be able to do it. You are my daughter after all." She stated with a smile and a tear in her eye.
"Thanks mom. I love you." I replied and slowly made my way back to my own room on the second floor. Then a moment later when I finally closed my door, I heard a squick of happiness downstairs.
"I guess she really loves me... Huh?" I said, as my mind pondered, on what I would have to learn to get into this... "Elite" School...