As I’d sat at my window one rainy morning after a slight disagreement between my older sister and myself, I began mulling over what she’d said. ‘You’re just not trying!’ She’d snapped, her horn glowing in frustration. ‘You’ll bring shame upon us all with your blank pony hide!’ ‘I’m trying my best!’ I’d retorted, hurt.
It reminded me of a similar argument we’d had on my first day of school. We’d been closer then, but Celestia had always been intolerant. I was only happy to finally be going into the village to learn new things and meet new ponies.
Despite the fact that my sister and I were in fact princesses, mother and father still sent us to the village school of magic to mix with other ponies our age. We also had some lessons from home- mostly to do with pony etiquette and how to best manage our royal duties. Celestia was spending more time doing this now than going to school.
Upon first entering the classroom I was surprised at how small it was. Back at home every room was so big. This place seemed surprisingly comfortable, though.
I looked around and saw at least a dozen excited faces staring at me from behind their desks. The teacher, Mrs Apple introduced me to the class and seated me at a desk near the window.
Most of the fillies and colts were unicorns, but there were a couple of pegasi and one earth pony whose parents wished for them to study magic.
I heard a few whispers behind me. ‘”She’s a real princess you know!” one pink unicorn whispered excitedly. “She’s got both wings and a horn!” another remarked.
In all honesty I felt a little awkward. Mother had prepared me for this, but I suppose I’d hoped it would be different.
By lunchtime I was feeling a little lonely. Ironically, everypony was glancing my way, but none seemed to approach me. Celestia had told me that on her first day everypony was talking to her, asking her what it was like living in a palace and what she liked and disliked…
Just then I saw a shy purple colt walk clumsily into the room with his lunch stacked up on a tray in front of him. He stopped and surveyed the room for a moment. I could tell what he was thinking and how he likely felt as I had felt the same. I had never imagined that one could feel so lonely when surrounded by so many ponies.
I watched as the young pegasus began to make his way to an empty table that was tucked away in the corner of the room. I felt a twinge of guilt in the pit of my stomach. Perhaps I should have offered him a seat at my empty table.
Suddenly, however, the young colt tripped. His lunch flew up into the air, splattering the room with oatmeal and raw carrot. I felt helpless as I watched him fall flat on his face. Ponies all around snickered immaturely making no attempts to help him.
‘There he goes again, tripping over his own hooves!’ a filly laughed loudly.
‘My mother told me that it says in the Book of Ages that grace is just as important as wealth,’ said another. ‘Pretty important I’d say!’
As the young colt lifted his head I saw a bitterness in his eyes that made me want to cry. Without another thought I rushed to his side, not thinking nor caring about the consequences.
‘My mother told me that the Book of Ages is poorly understood!’ I blurted angrily.
The two little fillies stared back at me wide eyed.
My anger had, without doubt, stemmed from the fact that my presence here was being poorly received, unlike my “perfect” sister. I hated seeing this hate as much as I hated having it aimed at me. I always thought that young fillies and colts would be more understanding and interesting than adults. Mother was right, ponies had little to no respect for one another nowadays. Without proper guidance war would almost certainly break out once more. This thought disturbed me as I was only a young filly and currently had no control over the situation.
I didn’t say another word after that and simply helped the purple colt to his hooves.
‘I- I…’ he faltered, tears in his eyes. He angrily shook them away and stared down at his hooves shamefully, seeing the awful mess he’d made.
‘It’s okay,’ I said to him, feeling terrible that my somewhat selfish motives had caused him even more embarrassment. ‘You… can share my lunch, if you’d like?’
‘Really? Are you sure?’ He asked, surprised.
‘Of course,’ I replied, smiling. The least I could do was be a good example to ponies.
‘B…but you’re a…’
My heart sunk. ‘A princess, I know. That’s exactly it though. My mother told me that as a princess it’s important to put your subjects and friends before you and to help where you can. Something some ponies aren’t very good at.’
I saw the two fillies shrink in embarrassment and a smile appear on my new found friend’s face and this reassured me.
‘I’m… Storm Sweeper, but you can call me Storm,’ he said.
‘Pleased to meet you,’ I said. ‘Just… call me Luna.’
‘Okay, Luna. Do you want to play with me after lunch? My uncle’s teaching me how to fly!’ Storm Sweeper enthused, showing off his small developing wings.
‘I’d like that,’ I replied shyly. ‘I haven’t had any flying lessons yet! My sister has though.’
‘I can show you how to get into the take-off position and everything! Wing stretches are important too to strengthen your wings for when they’re big enough to support you.’
As I watched the rain I’d thought about how he had turned out to be the only colt I could trust at that time. I remembered how our friendship developed and how it continued to grow.
It was home time and I waited with Storm for his father to come, as usual. He was a few minutes late, which was unlike him. I could tell Storm was growing anxious as he was silent.
‘It’s alright,’ I told him, ‘he’ll be here soon. Maybe he’s become caught up?’
‘He’s never late,’ Storm replied.
‘Maybe’-
‘He could have had an accident!’
I could hear the panic in his voice which alarmed me.
‘He could be badly hurt and I’m not there to help him!’
‘Why would you say that?’
Storm frowned. ‘You don’t know anything, do you?’
‘I’-
‘I didn’t think so! So why don’t you just… be quiet!’ he retorted suddenly.
‘Oh… alright…’ I mumbled feeling a little hurt.
‘I-I’m sorry, I just…’ he drew in a deep breath and a pained look flashed across his face very briefly. ‘It’s nothing.’
I could see I’d hit a raw nerve and placed my hoof on his shoulder. ‘It’s alright, you don’t need to explain yourself.’
‘But… I want to!’ he insisted. ‘You’re my friend and… well… A few years back my mother passed away. She was supposed to pick me up from Foal School one afternoon. I waited and waited and, well, she never came…’
I was horrified. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how awful that would be. I loved my mother so very dearly.
‘That’s awful,’ I responded honestly.
‘Yeah,’ Storm mumbled. ‘I guess sometimes I get a bit panicked when my father doesn’t show…’
‘I understand… but I’m sure he’s on his way.’
‘I hope so…’
Just then a black Pegasus flew down with a letter.
‘Hello young Storm Sweeper!’ he said. ‘I have a letter to give to you. It’s from your father.’
Storm and I looked at one another and then Storm took the letter and opened it.
A disappointed look appeared on his face a few moments later.
‘What is it?’ I asked anxiously.
‘It’s my father… he can’t get away from work to pick me up tonight. He wants me to go and stay with my aunt Blueberry Dust…’ he said.
I didn’t know what to say.
‘I’m sorry, Storm,’ the black Pegasus said sympathetically. ‘Your father’s a wonderful doctor in Cloudsdale, possibly the best. He’s very busy and he can’t predict when he will be called out. I’ll see you later, alright?’
With that he flew off.
Storm sighed.
‘It’s not so bad, is it?’ I said slowly. ‘He’ll be able to pick you up tomorrow.’
‘You don’t understand, aunt Blueberry is awful! She’s mother’s sister, but she’s nothing like her! She smells and she makes me take a bath in lavender oil twice in one evening!’
I scrunched up my nose. Even I didn’t very much like the idea of that and I was a filly.
‘And her cooking is terrible! Even her dog won’t eat it!’
I laughed. ‘That does sound bad. Hmm… I wonder if…’ I pondered.
‘What?’
‘You could stay at mine! I’m sure mother and father won’t mind! You can sleep in my room on the camp bed!’
‘What? Wait just a moment!’ Storm said. ‘Your mother and father are the King and Queen… and you’re a… princess! Surely I couldn’t…’
‘Don’t be silly! Come on. I’ll ask mother!’
One thing I’ll always remember is how trusting my parents were. They welcomed Storm Sweeper into our home with open arms and much sympathy for his unfortunate situation.
Once we’d got ourselves tucked in bed that night Storm and I spoke about our parents.
‘Your parents are so nice, Luna,’ Storm said.
‘I know they are,’ I replied. ‘I realise that I’m very lucky to have them.’
‘Yes, I’m lucky to have my father also. I only wish he didn’t have to work so much, but after mother died he just started working more and more. He doesn’t talk as much either.’
I listened intently, trying to put myself in his shoes.
‘I think he’s sad,’ Storm said.
‘You could be right,’ I agreed. ‘Sometimes grown-ups respond strangely to things.’
Just then father came into the room.
‘Alright you two, I think it’s about time you got some sleep,’ he said.
‘Aww, but we’re not sleepy!’ I replied.
‘I think you are. You’ve had a busy day at school. Now goodnight, my little ponies. Sweet dreams.’
‘Goodnight!’ Storm and I said in unison.
Father put out the candles and left the room.
‘L-luna?’ I heard a voice say.
‘Storm? What is it?’ I asked.
‘I… I’m afraid of the dark,’ he said. ‘I’m afraid of the night.’
‘Don’t worry,’ I told him, getting out of bed and trotting over to the window. ‘There’s really nothing to worry about, come and see for yourself.’
Storm clumsily got to his feet and made his way unsteadily towards the window.
‘Just look,’ I told him.
‘I…I’m afraid to…’ he replied, embarrassed.
‘You know, I think the night is a wonderful creation,’ I said. ‘Just look at the sky, jewelled with stars! It’s full of life and hope…’
I glanced at Storm to see that his eyes were now open and he was gazing up at the night sky.
‘My father helped me see the beauty in the night. Something most ponies are too afraid to do.’
‘Then why are we always so afraid of the night?’ Storm asked.
‘My mother says that ponies fear the unknown,’ I said. ‘Darkness is full of mystery because our sight is hindered.’
‘You’re right,’ Storm said eventually. ‘But… I’m still afraid, Luna.’
‘That’s okay,’ I said, ‘I understand… I’m afraid of spiders.’
‘Really?’
I nodded, ‘yes… but don’t tell anypony’.
Storm smiled.
‘I can light a candle for you if it’ll make you feel better.’
Before Storm could say another word I lifted my head, focusing on the candle. I felt a tiny spark of magic leave my horn and watched it flash across the room, lighting the candle. I smiled, satisfied. My aim had been perfect.
‘Wow! How did you do that?!’ Storm exclaimed, awestruck.
‘It’s the only spell I know,’ I admitted. ‘Mother taught me and I have to say, it was very difficult!’
‘Most ponies our age haven’t even managed to create a spark yet!’
‘It just takes practice,’ I told him honestly with a yawn.
‘It’s impressive, though,’ Storm said. ‘I guess we should get some sleep now though.’
I nodded lethargically, climbing back into my bed and snuggling under the covers.
‘Goodnight Luna,’ Storm murmured.
‘Goodnight, Storm,’ I replied gently.
From that night on Storm and I would observe the night more closely than even I had before. We watched the stars as they gradually moved across the sky, like my sister’s sun only much slower.
Storm was still afraid of the night, as many ponies were, but his curiosity often got the better of him.