A filly, whose fur was white as virgin snow, was sitting upon her bed reading the latest issue of Captain Equestria. Behind her, hanging over the head of the bed, was a large The Little Seapony poster. However, as enjoyable as it was to see Cap' beat down the villain of the week, all good things come to an end. She started a countdown in her mind: three... two... one.
“Aegis, it's time to get ready for school,” said the maid, a mare no older than her mother. If Aegis was remembering it correctly, the maid's name was Crystal Clear. She had been a recent addition to the household. Before she came it was just Aegis, her mommy and her daddy – both unicorns, like her. Then her mom starting gaining weight and stopped doing most of the chores around the house. Whenever Aegis had asked why, her mom would look around nervously and say that she'll explain later; which was often a grown-up's way of saying never.
However, at that moment, the filly had more pressing matters on her mind, which made it hard for her to fully enjoy the comic. Her summer vacation had come to an end, and she would soon be heading back to elementary school. The summer was fun. She played a lot with some other fillies and colts, as well as read up on some of the great warriors in history. Nothing quite like hearing tales of a single pony holding back a horde of monsters. She'd give anything to be like–
The maid opened the door, bringing the filly back to reality. “So you are up.”
“Good morning Mrs. Clear,” said Aegis, trying not to sound rude, despite the fact that she didn't want to go to school. Her parents had given her a lecture before hiring Mrs. Clear, that servants were to be treated with the same respect that she'd show any other pony; despite what she may have seen at times in the homes of other nobles.
Just as Aegis went to jump down from her bed, her hoof caught on a kink in the blanket, and the little filly came tumbling down the side. The blanket came with her, wrapping around her as she spun, creating a soft and snugly cocoon of sorts. She struggled, pushing at it and trying to roll, but her back held down the blanket below her, making escape difficult. Her one free leg uselessly kicked about in the air. Every moment that passed marked her rising frustration. She let out a angry yell – it came out more cute sounding than angry, due to her being a little filly – and aimlessly flailed about until she was finally freed. Standing back up – with a mane and tail that were now a complete mess – she bucked the bed with all her filly rage, for it was obviously the culprit behind her fall.
“Well Miss Aegis, you are quite lively this morning,” said Crystal Clear, while doing a poor job of holding back her laughter.
“It's not funny,” grumbled Aegis, making her way over to her vanity mirror. It had a thin layer of dust over the desk that the mirror sat on from its lack of use.
Crystal Clear pulled out a brush and got to work on Aegis' mane. “Keep up with your magic practice and soon, you'll be able to do this all by yourself.”
In truth Aegis already had enough of the basics down that she could control a brush if she wanted. Being brushed was calming, and helped to sooth any displeasure of having to go back to school. She could simply relax and focus on the the brush's teeth massaging the back of her neck and her tail.
“You got really pretty eyes. When you get older, you're going to have to keep the colts at bay with a stick.”
Aegis shook her head. “The other girls are a lot prettier.”
“They may be fancier, but that doesn't always mean prettier. You need to have confidence Miss Aegis.” She finished up the last few brush strokes needed and Aegis' mane now lay flat, looking presentable once more. “Alright, off you go. Your parents are waiting for you downstairs.”
After giving the maid her thanks, Aegis left the room and headed for the kitchen. Her home wasn't particularly fancy, but it was close in size to her friends' homes. It had all the basic rooms, plus a library, a den, a servant's quarters – that part being brand new – and a couple spare rooms. Nothing special but she liked it. Aegis went down the steps into her living room, turned the corner, and she was in the kitchen. Mother was sitting at the table eating, rather odd, breakfast of a pepper jack cheese, hot peppers, and lettuce salad. In fact, she had been eating a lot of spicy things lately. Are the spicy foods making mommy fat? wondered Aegis.
“Good morning sweetheart,” said her father as he placed a bowl of cereal on the table for her. His magic gripped her and sat her down on a seat. “Eat up. Don't want to be late.”
“That's right,” added her mother. “And when you get back, there's something we need to talk about.”
“Do I have to go? Can't you tell me now?” she whined.
“Aww, why don't you want to go to school? Your friends are going to be there,” said her mother.
“I know. But some of the girls are snobs.”
“That isn't a nice thing to say. Who taught you that word?” asked her mother.
“Daddy did.”
“Oh, did he now?” said her mother, before casting an annoyed glare at her father.
“Heh. She must have heard wrong.”
“Oh, I'm sure,” said her mother, not sounding particularly convinced. “Listen dear, if other girls act like that, just ignore them. Alright?”
“Alright mom, I'll try.”
“That's a good girl.”
“Is this talk about why you're getting fat?”
“I... I haven't gotten that fat yet, have I?” She looked down at her stomach to the sounds of Aegis' father chuckling in the background. “Ahem!”
“Sorry,” said her father.
“Have I?”
“I think you're just as beautiful as the day I met you.”
“You didn't answer the question.”
“I know, but it's the best you're going to get out of me.”
Aegis finished her breakfast, not really paying attention to her parents' banter. After the last bite, she left the house, walked down the street, and entered Canterlot Elementary. Mobs of students lined the halls, mostly kids of upper-class or noble families.
“Hey blank,” said a unicorn colt.
“Heh, this blank kicked your butt at stick ball last week,” she responded as the two did a hoof bump.
“Pfft. That was a fluke.”
Aegis considered staying and hanging out with the others for a bit, but the bell rung, dashing any hopes of that. It was a shame but she only had herself to blame for not getting ready sooner.
After quickly trotting to her classroom, Aegis sat in the front row, as usual. In walked their teacher, a unicorn stallion. He was impeccably groomed and always wore a suit. The mares around Aegis sighed and got starry-eyed when he walked in, but Aegis never really saw the appeal. He was handsome, sure, but she saw nobleponies who dressed and sounded like him on a daily basis around town.
“Good morning class,” said the teacher.
“Good morning Mr. Silver Pen,” replied the class in unison.
“Today we are welcoming a new student into our class.” He turned to the door. “You can come in now.”
The door slowly opened and in walked a pink alicorn colt. Nearly all the students around her 'oohed' at the sight and the classroom filled with the sounds of whispering as the colt took center stage in front of them all. Aegis just stared curiously at him. She had never seen an alicorn up close, nor did she ever expect to. The only other one she had even heard of was Princess Celestia. The colt's mane was divided into three colors; yellow, fuchsia, and violet – the triple colored mane only adding to his rarity. The colt's cutie mark was a crystal heart.
“Go ahead and introduce yourself.”
The colt looked around, nervously tapping his hoof on the floor. “M-my name is Prince Eros Deus Amoris. But you all can call me Eros.”
“There's an empty seat up front by her,” said the teacher, pointing out the seat next to Aegis. Silver Pen started his lesson, this one being on long division, and the class quieted down. Aegis kept glancing over at the colt, still unable to get over the fact that she was sitting next to an alicorn.
After making his points, the teacher passed around the assignment, a few pages filled with problems for them to solve, and told the class to work in partners.
Without thinking Aegis turned to Eros, who was seemed lost as to what to do. He looked around, obviously not sure who to approach or how to do it.
“Hi,” said Aegis. “My name is Aegis. Want to be partners?”
“Oh, um, hi. Yes.”
They didn't do much talking beyond going over the problems. Aegis had to pry and poke just to get reactions from him.
“So... did you just move here?”
“Oh, well... I moved into the palace a few weeks ago,” replied Eros, his voice was weak and timid.
Aegis pushed on the colt's shoulder. “Quit being so nervous. I'm not going to bite or anything.”
“Oh, um, sorry.” He looked over at her with a small smile.
She rolled her eyes. “So, you live in the palace? You mean the royal palace?”
Eros nodded. “I live there with Auntie Celestia.”
Aegis froze, with wide and shocked eyes. “Auntie? Y-you're Princess Celestia's nephew?”
The progress she had made was lost in that in one instant; Eros turned away and looked back at the math problems. “...we need to get this done.”
She wanted more answers, but decided not to push the issue. If he wanted to be all mysterious, then fine, let him. They finished the problems quickly enough, and went through the rest of the school day. Eros had stuck by her for the most part. She remembered hearing one of the other fillies describe it as like a puppy following its owner.
The final bell of the day rung, followed by a horde of fillies and colts excitingly running out of the school, including Eros and Aegis. Ahead, right by the exit, Aegis spotted a large royal guard.
“Prince Eros!” he said in a rather deep voice. The guard waved, and they walked up to him. “The Princess ordered me to come get you at the end of your school day. She also gave me this.” He showed them a coin purse under his wing. “She said that if you wanted, you could stop by the ice cream parlor. There's enough that you could bring a friend as well.”
Eros turned to her. “Do you want to?”
On the one hoof, Aegis' parents had wanted to have a talk with her and she probably should get home quickly to do that. On the other hoof, free ice cream, and it was any flavor she wanted; maybe even vanilla with peanut butter swirl. Plus, Eros seemed like he really wanted her to hang out with him. Needless to say, the other hoof won out. “I'd love to ice cream... Um, I mean go.” With that, they were off.
***
“Mom? Dad? I'm home!” Aegis called out, closing the front door behind her.
“We're upstairs! Come on up!” came their voices from their bedroom.
The filly hopped up the steps and made her way into her parents room. Her mother was lying on their bed on her side, while her father sat on the floor nearby.
“Aegis, why didn't you come home sooner? You knew we wanted to talk to you after school,” her mother asked.
Aegis lowered her head. “Heh heh, sorry. I met a new friend and hung out with him after school. I'm not in trouble, am I?”
Her mother gave a soft, gentle smile and patted the bed for Aegis to jump up. “No, I'm not mad and you aren't in trouble, but this is important. Get up here.” With a boost from her father, Aegis made it up onto the bed and was immediately pulled into a hug by her mother. Her mother stroked the back of her mane and nuzzled her. “Dear, you've, um, taken some health classes, right? So, you know where babies come from?”
Aegis blushed, surprised and feeling embarrassed at her mother's sudden show of affection. “Y-yes? They grow inside of mommies.”
“That certainly makes this simpler,” said her father with a sigh of relief.
“Dear, you're going to be a big sister.”
“W-what?” Aegis looked at her mother's belly in amazement. “I-is that why you got fat?”
“Would you stop saying that?”
“...sorry.”
“It's alright dear.” Her mother nuzzled her again. “We would have told you sooner, but I wanted to wait until we knew if it was going to be a boy or girl. You're going to have a little sister.”
Aegis couldn't help but to smile at the news. She had heard others in her class talk about their brothers or sisters and she always wanted to know what it was like to have one. “Is she a unicorn?”
Her parents nodded.
***
Another morning came and the family were once more eating breakfast in the kitchen. Like she had the last few days, Aegis' mother got second and third helpings.
“Mom?”
“Yes dear?”
“Can we go the park after school?”
Her mother shook her head. “Sorry dear but I have a doctor's appointment today. Maybe you can hang out with that friend again.”
Aegis sighed. “...alright.”
That wouldn't be last time Aegis' desire for attention would be left unfulfilled. The next day, when she wanted to show her mother a picture she made in class, she got ignored again. Some of her parents' friends had come over and the baby was all they talked about. “What are you going to name her?” “Will she take after her mother or father?” “Are you going to get a magic tutor for her early on or wait like you did with Aegis?” Baby baby baby baby baby baby! That's all Aegis heard, over and over again. It was all any of the adults wanted to talk about. The days following that were just as bad.
School was almost as bad. Her teacher had somehow heard the news – stupid adults always gossiping, thought Aegis – and he announced it to the whole class. Not only did she have to deal with adults constantly asking her how 'excited' she must be to be getting a little sister, but the other kids kept asking her things about the baby, like when it was coming and, of course, what the name was going to be.
I wish mom never got pregnant, thought Aegis as she entered the school one morning.
“So, any news about the baby?”
The grumbled started low and built up into a full on, “AAAAAARGH!”
“Wha!” The pink alicorn reared up and fell on his back, flailing his legs.
“Oh... sorry Eros.” The apology was low and sounded somewhat indifferent as the filly hung her head. “Please don't ask me about her.”
“Alright, fine. Geez.” Aegis reached down and helped Eros back to his hooves, and even dusted off the alicorn. “You didn't have to yell.”
Aegis apologized again, before adding, “It's just, I'm so sick of hearing about her. Baby this, baby that. Maybe I'd like ponies to actually ask how I'm doing.” She pouted and snorted in annoyance. The upset filly walked forward, heading to her class, but was stopped by a tug on her tail. “Eros?”
He looked around and after a group of other students walked by, he leaned in and whispered, “Follow me.” He walked by her, heading in the opposite direction of their class, towards the exit.
“Eros? Eros!” she whispered yelled. “What are you doing?”
“Just trust me.” By now the halls were empty as the other kids and the teachers were in their respective classes. “Should be a few minutes before anypony checks the halls, let's go.” He opened the front door. “Ladies first.”
“Wait, are we skipping class?” She felt his magic lift her off the ground and she uselessly wriggled about in the air. A second later, she was back on solid ground, outside the school. “Great, we are skipping class.”
“Shh.” Eros pressed a hoof to her lips to shush her and he looked around. The streets of Canterlot weren't particularly busy in the mornings, and this day continued that routine. “As long as we steer clear of the market, I think we'll be fine. Just don't act nervous.”
“Why would I act nervous? I'm only going to get in a bunch of trouble!” She groaned and looked back to the school behind her. It would be easy to run back in and just tell her teacher that she was in the bathroom.
“Come on Aegis, please? Look, if we get caught, I'll take all the blame,” Eros reassured her.
“Why do you want to do this so badly?”
“Because I want you to be happy.”
She looked back and forth, thinking over what he had just said, before responding with a flat, “What?”
“I don't like seeing you upset. So, I'm going to take you around the town and cheer you up.”
She was amazed at just how different he was now from the shy, timid colt she first met. Since that day, he had opened up more and more to the others. While he was no party animal or anything, he had become far more relaxed and assertive around others. However, his closeness to her hadn't changed a bit. Some of the other kids would even ask her, 'Hey Mary, where's your lamb?' on occasion.
“Now, are you coming or not?” asked Eros, as he stepped beside her and nudged her with his shoulder.
“Y-yeah, alright.”
“Good. Now just try not to act like you're doing something wrong and we won't get caught.”
We are so going to get caught... thought Aegis, but she followed Eros' lead anyways. They stuck to back roads, making the trip to their first destination, the ice cream shop, which took about ten minutes longer than it should have. Even on the less traveled roads, Aegis still jumped nearly every time she heard a noise, or worse, the voice of an adult. Still, they made it there without incident.
“See, what'd I tell you. Heh, you were kind of cute when you were scared though.”
“S-shut up. I wasn't scared.”
Eros once again paid for their treats and then the two went back out into the city. Aegis began to calm down and actually passed by the occasional adult without cringing.
“Where are we going now?”
“The stadium. I heard the Wonderbolts are practicing there. We can watch them until it's time for school to let out.”
“That... actually sounds like fun.” Her pace quickened, leading to her pulling ahead of Eros. He soon joined her in a quick trot as the two headed for the stadium.
“Ah! Get down,” said Eros as he jumped on her, practically tackling Aegis. He pulled her around the corner of a building.
“Ow! Eros, what are you doing,” she whispered.
“I saw a guard from the palace.”
“Where?” Aegis peaked around the corner and sure enough, there was a guard pony standing in the street just looking around. “I told you, I told you, I told you, I told you!”
“We aren't going to get caught. We just got to get a little creative, that's all.”
“Maybe we won't get in as much trouble if we turn ourselves in.”
“Aegis, pull yourself together. Just trust me, alright?”
“...fine. You got a plan?”
Eros looked behind him, as did Aegis. There was a large, discarded box, just waiting for the trash pony to come and pick it up. “I just might.”
Moments later, Aegis laid on Eros back, had the top of the box on her back, and was peering out of a little hole they made in it. In this instance, Aegis pondered the possibility that Eros had completely and utterly lost his little pony mind. But if he had, it would also make her insane for following something so insane. There was simply no way she could see this working. They were going to get caught and she was going to get grounded or something equally as bad. However, all that being said, it was still more appealing that being back at school and getting asked about the baby.
“So, you got what you're supposed to do?” he asked.
“Yeah, I'll be the eyes and you be the legs. Now turn left.”
Eros began turning.
“Other left, other left!”
“Sorry. It's hard to concentrate with you on my back.” He turned back the right way.
“Now, go forward. When we get out of here, turn right,” she ordered. Aegis could feel the tightness of Eros' muscles as he tried to hold her up and walk around. He probably isn't used to lifting stuff at the palace, she thought. “Turn now.”
Eros turned to the right – Aegis thanked Celestia that he got the direction correct this time – and started trotting down the street. “Is he still there?”
“Yeah, but he's looking away. Keep going.” After only one more step, the guard turned. “Stop! Get down!” They stopped and Aegis stared at the guard.
We're just a box sitting by a building. Nothing odd at all. Please keep moving, thought Aegis. The filly's heart thumped against her chest, and with all the tension, she forgot to breath, holding it in and waiting for the danger to pass.
The guard started coming up the street, heading right for them.
“What's going on?”
“Shush.”
He stopped mere feet from the box and glanced around again. Finally, much to Aegis' relief, he continued walking pass them. She breathed again, bringing in some much needed oxygen, and went slack on Eros' back.
“That's a good sign, right?”
“Yeah, he's gone. Now move.”
With the guard gone, the two stopped caring about being cautious. Aegis pushed the box up off of them, jumped down, and ran as fast as her little hooves would take her. Eros was right behind her the whole way.
Block after block they ran, until they reached the Royal Stadium. Aegis wiped the sweat from her brow and looked back to see Eros with his head down, weezing. “You wimp.”
“Am not!” he forced out before he slumped down to the stone street.
“Come on, we can't just stay out here.”
“But...”
“Get up.”
“Fine!” Eros stood back up and Aegis led the two inside.
The stadium was gigantic. Aegis figured that it could fit most of the ponies in Canterlot inside of it. They walked up a set of stairs and into the stands, the field in clear view in front of them. There were a couple pegasi standing on the field looking up. Above them were a group of pegasi flying in intricate patterns, doing loop-de-loops, and trying out tricks. At one point, five of them got into a circle and did a nose dive. They were getting closer together as they hurtled towards the ground, only to break the formation and level off a mere few feet before impact.
“Wow. That was a amazing,” said Aegis, biting back the temptation to loudly cheer, lest she give them away.
Eros gave her a big smile. “It's nice seeing you happy again.”
“It's nice feeling happy again.” Her moment of happiness didn't last long as realization on how short lived this break was sunk in. When this was over, she was going to go home, back to a mother that's always too concerned with getting enough rest or emptying the fridge again to pay attention to her – not that her father had been much better. Her head sunk and the smile turned upside down. “What's the point of this?”
“Hm?”
Tears formed in the corners of her eyes, threatening to fall at any moment. Aegis shut them tight, trying not to cry in front of Eros. “No one even cares about me anymore. They only care about that stupid baby,” her voiced cracked near the end.
A hoof pushed against her chest and she looked up to see Eros glaring at her, looking more serious than she had ever seen him before. “Don't say that!”
She was about to step back in surprise, but Eros pulled her close into a tight hug. Her muzzle was buried in his shoulder fur, and her head leaned against the side of his neck. A red hot blush bubbled to the surface, stretching out across her cheeks. “E-Eros?”
“I care about you. You're my best friend.”
“It's just... I...” A few moments passed by as she sat there, being held by Eros unsure of how she should react or how to feel. Slowly, she raised up one of her front legs and wrapped it around Eros, returning the hug, and pressed against his shoulder. “It isn't fair! No pony asked me if I wanted a little sister. I just want some attention.”
Eros patted her on the back. “I know, I know.”
She remained sitting there, holding him tightly and leaning against him for a while, just enjoying his presence. Being this close to someone other than her parents was certainly new for the young filly, but felt wonderful. Part of her wished she could just stay in that stadium all night, snuggled next to Eros.
However, those thoughts ended abruptly. Eros quickly snapped to attention and tensed up. “Um... uh oh.”
An annoyed growl reverberated in Aegis. “We just got caught, didn't we?”
“Yes.”
“By that same guard?”
“Yes. Go ahead and say it.”
“Dang it Eros, I told you so.”
“...sorry.”
Against her desire, Aegis let go of Eros, steadied herself, and turned around to face the guard. He was large, typical of pegasi guards, and had a stern expression. “Ahem. Prince Eros, care to explain why the palace received word of your absence from school?”
Aegis looked back to Eros, who seemed to be holding himself together well, not looking scared at all.
“Sir, I... I skipped class.” Aegis took note how her skipping wasn't even brought up.
“And you missy, shouldn't you be in school too?”
So much for that. She nodded. “Yes sir.”
“Don't blame her!” said Eros, coming to her defense. “It was all my idea. I practically begged her to come with me.”
Aegis smiled at him, mentally thanking the alicorn.
“You two can explain the details to the Princess. Now come with me.”
They didn't make any fuss and dutifully followed the guard. Though there was one thing bugging Aegis that she couldn't quite put her hoof. Something about what the guard said... Then, it hit her. “Princess!? Why would we have to explain to the princess?”
“Well, she's my guardian.”
“WHAT?”
“Not so loud.”
“Sorry, but why didn't you tell me that?”
“Ponies act all weird around me when I tell them. So, I don't.”
Aegis huffed and looked away.
“Please don't be mad at me.”
“I'm not mad, but you should have told me.”
“Sorry.”
The three went the rest of the way through the streets of Canterlot in silence. Both the kids hung their heads in typical fashion of one that had just gotten caught doing something bad.
“We're here,” said the guard.
Aegis stared at the palace, taking in its grand design in awe. This was the closest she had gotten to it and it looked even better than it did from a distance. With its golden towers and flying banners, it looked like it was straight out of one of the fairy tales her parents used to read for her. “Wow,” was the only word she was capable of saying at the moment.
“Psst.”
“What?”
“I don't think we were supposed to stop here.”
“Oh.”
The halls of the pristine palace were buzzing with activity. All manner of servants were scurrying about, cleaning this, carrying that, and just generally looking busy. The pattern was broken up by the occasional guard. After some twist and turns, they stopped in front of a rounded wooden door.
“You two, stay right here and don't budge,” said the guard, pointing to the side of the doorway.
“Yes, sir,” they both replied and obeyed, sitting down in that spot.
The guard knocked, prompting a response from beyond the door. “You may enter,” said a beautiful, female voice. The guard opened the door and closed it behind him.
“What is the princess going to do to us?” asked Aegis, letting a bit of concern slip into her voice.
“I don't know. I've never gotten into trouble before.”
“That's probably a good thing.”
The door opened and the guard walked back out. “Her majesty would like to see you now.”
The pair gulped and slowly walked in to meet their fate. The room inside was not quite what she expected. It was a den, not too different from the one her parents have. The walls were covered by paintings of different parts of Equestria and bookshelves. In the middle was a table. Against the far wall, by a window, was a comfortable looking red chair. The door closed behind them, causing Aegis to jump.
“Be calm little one. I merely wish to hear why the two of you chose to skip classes today,” said the heavenly alicorn in front of them, who sat on the chair. Even though Aegis had never seen her in pony before, there was no mistaking that this was their princess.
“W-well, um, y-you see –“
Eros cut off her stuttered explanation with one of his own, “It was all me, Aunt Celestia.” Aegis looked over in surprised. Eros seemed to be just as nervous as her, but didn't waver. “I begged and practically dragged her out of the school. I am completely to blame for this.”
“N-no, he isn't.”
“Aegis?”
“Eros wouldn't have done any of it if he wasn't trying to cheer me up.”
The princess chimed in, “Is that so?” Much to Aegis' surprise, the princess seemed to be genuine in her curiosity. “What is it that has you that upset?”
“Well...” Eros gave her a nod of reassurance. Aegis sighed, sat down, and began explaining it to Celestia. “I'm getting a baby sister...”
“Oh? Congratulations.”
Aegis shook her head. “That's the problem! Everyday it's the same thing. All anypony wants to talk about is her. It's like... like they forgot all about me.” She fully admitted to herself that the line was sounding more pitiful every time she said it, but that didn't stop it from being how she felt.
“Eros?”
“Yes ma'am?”
“Could you please leave us alone for a moment? I wish to speak to her one on one.”
“Um.” Eros and Aegis exchanged glances, and Aegis nodded to him. “Alright.”
As the door closed behind Eros, Celestia rose to her hooves and walked towards Aegis. The filly braced herself, unsure of what to expect, and going so far as to tightly shut her eyes. When the sound of the hoofsteps stopped, nothing came, but she could feel that the princess was close by. Cracking open her eyes she saw Celestia sitting right next to her, but facing the other way. She followed the princess' stare to a painting of an eclipse hanging just above the door. Was that there before? Aegis wondered.
“Princess?”
“You feel lost, like the world has moved on without you. Right?”
“Y-yeah. Something like that.” Her ears drooped as she too stared at the picture.
“I've seen what that feeling can do to a pony, particularly so when a sister is involved.” Her voice took on an almost somber quality. “Aegis, you can't let this feeling get to you, consume you. Know that there are ponies who care about you, even if they don't always show it.”
“I know!” she said with a raised voice, but quickly lowered it as to not offend the goddess next to her. “I mean, I know that mom and dad love me, and I have my friends. It's just that, it's hard to see it sometimes.” Aegis felt a hoof rub her back, its warmth and magical energy passing through her, calming her. “A-and it's not like anypony asked me if I wanted a sister. Maybe I'm not ready. I don't even have a cutie mark, how I can be a good big sister?”
“Just be there for her, and in turn, she shall be there for you. The best big sister is one that offers empathy and understanding, no matter how small or big their problem appears to be.”
“Really?”
“Yes. And, I won't lie to you. Keeping a sisterhood strong is tough work at times. There can be times when you rub one another the wrong way, or times when you think they're just being selfish. Times when you think they just don't care about you.” She continued looking at the painting while speaking. Her words sound distant but heartfelt. “But, when you have somepony that looks at you with nothing but love in their eyes and calls you sister, there's no words to describe just how great it feels.”
“Princess?”
“Yes?”
“How do you know all this?”
“I've been around for far longer than I care to say. I've seen so many things happen in my lifetime. But some things never change. Your story is one I've seen play out over and over again. Just be honest with your feelings and remember that you're loved, and things will turn out well. One more thing.”
“What is it, your highness?”
“Talk to your parents about this. Share your concerns.”
“What if they just brush me off again?”
Celestia's voice took on a sterner tone, and Aegis knew this was more of a command than a request. “Don't let them. Make sure your voice is heard and they understand why you were so upset.”
“I promise.”
“Speaking of which, they should be arriving any minute.”
“What!?” cried out the filly. She tore her eyes from the picture to the door under it.”But... but...”
“I couldn't just not tell them what happened. I sent the guard you met earlier to get them.”
“I-I understand.”
Aegis watched as the doorknob turned and it slowly opened, revealing her mother and father standing in the hall. The pair bowed to Celestia before turning their full attention onto Aegis. “We apologize for any trouble our daughter may have caused you ma'am. Rest assured, she will be disciplined for cutting class and for any disturbances she may have caused.”
“Please, do not be too hard on her, for she did have reasons behind her actions,” said the princess, giving Aegis a nudge and motioning for her to go to her parents. Aegis scampered over to her parents and looked back to Celestia. “Reasons that she'll be talking to you about as soon as you all get home. Isn't that right, young lady?”
“Yes Princess Celestia. I promise.”
“That's a good girl. Now go on. I still have to deal with Eros.”
Aegis was about to speak up and ask Celestia to go easy but the stares of her parents were bearing down on her. Deciding it wasn't the right time, she accepted that Eros would have to get some punishment for skipping class and dragging another student along. For now, she had bigger issues at hoof.