//------------------------------// // Chapter Four // Story: The Chronicles of Espionage: What It Takes to be a Spy // by BlackSkulls //------------------------------// The three fillies took up their free time before dinner chatting about the less ‘official’ things of the school. The snow-white unicorn couldn’t help but steer the conversation towards the social aspect of the school, the different cliques, the types of ponies, the overall atmosphere of the students, while the pegasus told of the best classes to take, fighting classes, lessons that showed off skills, gadgets they would get as they progressed. Twilight Sparkle soaked up all this information like a sponge. Though she had no real interest in what her roommates were saying, she mentally and physically noted the information on the chance that it would be needed in the future. Towards the end of their little discussion, the chime signaling dinner sounded, and together the three of them, along with the rest of the student body, made their way to the cafeteria. Twilight glanced to her left and noticed the shy pegasus pony that had been in the Disguise Arts class. Smiling, she waved her over, only to be met with nothing as Fluttershy lowered her hair across her face and trotted even faster. Rarity, taking notice, simply put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about her, darling. She’s a shy one, and I’m sure she’s still worried about her behavior in class.” “But she did nothing wrong.” “Yes, but since school started she’s always been…a shrinking violet, if you will. You just can’t approach her and expect to be friends immediately, it takes time.” Twilight could only shrug and rely on the unicorn’s word. She had only been enrolled for a couple of hours and really had no room to argue to doubt anyone. Yet, she reasoned, This is a spy school after all. The amount of security and secrecy…Celestia knows what I’m getting myself in to... The loud, rainbow-maned pegasus brought her back to reality. “Aw yeah! Chow time!” As they approached a fairly large-by filly standards-set of double doors, she zipped through the crowd, paying no mind to the ponies she bumped in to along the way. All the unicorns could see of her was a blue blur meshed with a multi-colored dot. The two unicorns could only roll their eyes as they trotted between the doors. While this had become common place for the fashionista, Twilight could only gape in awe at the site of the dining hall. It was large, a little less than half the size of the outside area in the cave front. From what she could see, there were four tables that stretched nearly the length of the entire room, with room to walk in the very center of the room. On the opposite side was a table that followed the width of the room that Twilight assumed where faculty sat due to its position. She could already see Rainbow Dash sitting at one of the tables, filling her plate with the food that was presented throughout the surface. Near her, she could see an orange filly with a blond mane fighting for some of the more desired dishes. Further down the table, at the very end, she saw Fluttershy with her back facing the wall. Catching Twilight staring, Rarity chuckled and lead her towards the table. “As you no doubt realized, each table is for the different grades, and one table for faculty and staff.” Finding a spot, the two unicorns sat down with their classmates, colts and fillies alike. Presented across each table was an incredible spread of food. More food than Twilight even knew of, most of her young life eating her mother’s family recipes or eating out on rare occasions. “Wow! It’s like Princess Celestia’s kitchen staff made all this food!” “They did,” Rarity stated matter-of-factly. Noticing Twilight staring at her in shock, she raised a brow, her cup paused halfway to her lips. “What? You thought that Princess Celestia had an entire kitchen staff for herself and—” She paused mid-sentence and gave a small chuckle. “Of course not, dear! Now go ahead and eat, a growing spy needs to eat.” ---------- “That…was the best meal in my life.” The three returned to their dorm room, the day winding down to a crawl. Rarity sat on haunches behind the desk, a quill pen hurriedly scrawling out words to a report that was due first thing in the morning. Rainbow Dash, being herself, was spread across her bed, her eyes closed and hooves behind her head as if she were sleeping. Twilight, her belly now full, laid content on her own bed. “Every meal is awesome! Though you do get used to the initial shock after awhile. Still awesome, though.” “Yes, yes. Though I suppose we do have to get used to such extravagant meals,” Her pen never stopped or slowed as she spoke, “The parties we’ll attend, how deep undercover we’ll be. We can’t act uncivilized and not expect to be under suspicion. You know this, Rainbow Dash.” “Yeah, yeah…” A period of silence followed, engulfing the three. For one, it was an excuse to work in peace. She was glad the pegasus had someone else to bother, instead of weighing her down with needless questions and annoying tasks to prove how great she was. For another, she drifted off to sleep, happy that she didn’t have to hear the unicorn’s squeal or laugh when she got ideas. For the third, it was a moment of reflection, nothing keeping her from her thoughts. She thought of her day. Of her parents. Of her brother. Of her new school—of these ponies that currently occupied the same room she was in. It was a very good day. The classes, the teachers, the students, the food…but…What about Mom and Dad? I know now why they seemed so worried about me…but will I ever see them again? Did they know what I was getting myself in to? And what about Shining? He’s training to be a Royal Guard for the Princess, did he know about this as well? She thought back to her arrival that afternoon, that the guards seemed to have known the path, that they didn’t try to calm her when she was visibly confused at their destination. Was it because they had seen it happen multiple times, or just because they didn’t know how? She guessed it was the former. And this school…as lively as it is and how nice the teachers are, I have to remember it’s not a normal school…it’s a school specifically used to train ponies on how to be spies. I still can’t believe I’m officially enrolled here. I have to treat this like a learning experience! Mom and Dad always know what they’re doing, and they’ve never done me wrong before! I’ll make them proud! Them and Princess Celestia! With a bright smile on the purple unicorn’s face, Twilight slowly drifted off to sleep, excitedly awaiting what her real classes would bring her the next day.