I don't want to get out of bed today.
I pull the bed covers up over my head and curl up. I just...I'm not in the mood for anything. I don't want to be a queen. I just want to be me.
Unfortunately, being me means I have to be a queen.
Shivering, even though it's warm this morning, I reach for the hard-marble that Celestia sent me and pull it close. I wonder if I'd be able to craft with it? It'd probably lose its smell.
"M-miss Dime?"
"Yes?" I call from underneath my covers.
"May I enter?"
Oh, great. Just who I need right now.
"Yes, Golden Sparkles," I sigh.
She pushes the door open slowly and I hear muted hoofsteps on carpet.
"Miss Dime? I, uhm, I...."
"Yes, Golden Sparkles?"
"I, I have good news and bad news," she begins hesitantly.
"Bad news first."
"Well, I...Emerald has been killed,"
No.
Not Emerald.
My own student.
I do not need this right now.
"G-good news?"
"Bleach has received a letter from Princess Celestia."
She lays something on the quilt covering my wings.
"I..."
She sounds like she wants to say something else.
"What?"
I try to make myself sound caring.
"N-nothing, your Highness,"
And I hear the door close.
I pull the covers up and discover a scroll. Opening it, I read,
Princesses Celestia and Luna
Cordially Invite Queen Dime
For a Stay on their Wonderful Planet
Equestria
Underneath was a hoof-written note in a handwriting I hadn't seen for almost a thousand years saying, Do hope you can come. RSVP.
Princess Luna?
Princess Luna?
Why in the world would Celestia make her crazy sister a princess? Was she nutty as a Cake of Many Dried Fruit?
And Emerald....
Emmy...
I don't remember much else of that week, really. I have bits and pieces, like the memory of a crafted metal table, the signing of a document, the reply and organization of the visit to Equestria, which will be next week, and Emmy's funeral. No more Emmy.
No more essays, no more frantic panic sessions because she hadn't been given homework, no more anything because the closest thing I have to a friend on this damned planet is DEAD.
I'm so lonely.