Star Dust
Chapter 14
New Problems
Star couldn't help but feel nervous about everything. First what happened yesterday evening with Twilight and her realization then when she and Twilight had woken up with Star holding Twilight in a tight hug like she was a teddy bear that Star didn't want to lose.
“You should have seen Star when we were still stuck outside!” Spike explained excitedly. “The way she shot out those magic beams was just so awesome!”
I really should have kept myself secret much better! I let my emotions get the better of me! Star cursed herself, doing everything she could to avoid Twilight’s eyes as they grew larger and larger as Spike’s testimony continued. She turned her gaze towards Twilight, and her heartbeat accelerated when she noticed that the purple pony was watching her. Star quickly turned her head away, trying to avoid Twilight's gaze.
And now yesterday's conversation came back to haunt her. This has not gone the way I had hoped. I certainly didn't expect to fall for Twilight. How did that even happen? She quickly allowed herself to have a quick look at Twilight.
Star’s thoughts began to run away with her. She is rather cute...That nicely colored mane, that cute face, the way she looks at me so sweetly, and that swinging flank- wait, what?! Star shook her head, tearing her gaze away from Twilight while trying to clear her head. Okay, so I may have a feelings towards her.
She then took another, much shorter glance at Twilight before turning back. She couldn't help it as a sick feeling came to her stomach. But now there is the problem of Twilight pressing me about my identity. I have kept so much from them, but it was better until they would know me better, she told herself.
“So how did you do all of that, Star?” Spike's voice brought Star from her inner argument.
“Huh? What?”
“I was asking how you knew those spells of yours and then were able to help Twilight and others out with their Elements?” Spike repeated. “It just seemed rather convenient that you were able to help them like you did. Not that we’re complaining about you helping us, of course.”
“Yeah.” Applejack agreed. “Tha' was a rather impressive stunt ya pulled there,” she said, while her friends nodded in agreement. “So, did ya also go to that school for unicorns like Twilight?” she then asked.
This question just made Star felt even more uncomfortable. Her eyes darted around her surroundings, as if trying to find a place to hide from all the questions. “I think we can leave those questions for some other time. This trip’s been exhausting, even though we did spend a rather lovely night inside the mountain” Twilight quickly cut in.
She couldn't help but slightly blush when saying “lovely night.” Star followed suit, blushing harder. Which made her appreciate that she was pretty much ahead of the group.
Soon all of the them heard familiar sound as Rainbow flew towards them, landing in front of Applejack. “And I’m back.”Oh yeah AJ, Granny’s got a message for you,” Rainbow said, giving Applejack a slightly concerned look. “And let's just say you better be ready for a not so warm welcome.”
Applejack sighed, lowering her hat to obscure her eyes. “Ah figured it might go like that,” she said, her face stretched in a nervous smirk. “Well, Ah guess we better move a bit faster so Granny won't have to try an' drag us back.”
That remark earned a few quiet chuckles from her friends as they sped their walk towards Sweet Apple Acres.
Granny Smith’s raspy voice shook the very foundations of the sturdy old home. “...an' then all Ah hear from ya is tha' ye little peckers decided to head off to a big mountai' without telling us where ya were going.”
Like Rainbow had said, the reception wasn't that warm. In fact, it seem to be quite hot. And Granny Smith was steaming.
“But why are we all here anyway?” Star whispered to Twilight. “I thought this was only for Applejack?”
“I guess so, or she wanted to give us all a small-”
“Now don't ya try ta have yer talk back there while Ah'm still giving ya mah lecture!” Granny cut off Twilight, who along with Star blushed from embarrassment that an old pony like Granny Smith had caught them. And technically I'm even older than she! This makes so little sense... Star thought with great displeasure.
Granny Smith, oblivious to Star’s inner monologue, continued her rant. “Do ya know how much trouble we went through when yer pegasi friend just came to us to say ye went on some troll huntin' or someth'!?”
Applejack lowered her head, feeling somewhat ashamed that they had to leave like they did. Neither Star nor Rainbow felt that way. “But at that time, it seemed like a-” Star tried to defend her actions, but was cut off by Granny's hoof.
“Ya shoulda know better than give yer old Granny a heart attack size of a buffalo!” Granny said loudly. Her anger finally spent, Granny deflated a bit and let out a chuckle. “Ooooh, who the hay Ah'm Ah kidding! Ah can't really blame ya from doin’ what ya'll thought was best.”
That left all the mares and dragon rather speechless. First, Granny had them here for Celestia knows how long lecturing them, and then took a sudden turn on her words. The last gasp of the stern scold came back out for one last encore. “But that doesn't mean Ah wasn't really worried of ye running off like that.”
Applejack let out a relieved sigh at that. “Don't worry, Granny,” Applejack said. “This won't happen again.”
“Don't ya make a promise ya can't keep Applejack,” Granny then said, with a dismissive hoof. Applejack rubbed back of her head with an awkward smile.
“So, what you all say if we call it a day then?” Star asked. “It certainly has been a tiring day, so...what if we now just go and relax?” she suggested in not so convincing tone.
“Now that you mention it, I do feel a bit tired now that this all is over...” Fluttershy said somewhat thoughtfully. Twilight cast a quick, unconvinced glance at Star.
Everyone agreed, giving quick goodbyes to Applejack before walking towards Ponyville. “Well, I certainly don't!” Pinkie added, bouncing to emphasize the point. “I need a good party before I hit the sack! Though you don’t really hit sacks, you sleep in them. Hehe!”
“Sure you do...” Rainbow deadpanned, but she still smirked before she flew back to her home.
Fluttershy decided to walk with Pinkie, Twilight, Rarity, Star, and Spike, but soon had to leave the three of them as the group approached her home. “You guys are sure you don't want to have nice little “We-Got-Safely-Back-Home-And-Now-Are-A-Bit-Tired-Party”?
“Trust me, Pinkie,” Rarity said, waving a hoof. “I think after a day like that I need a very long and warm bath. Do you have any idea how daft the air inside that mountain really was? And all of those bonfires certainly didn't help the case! And let's not forget all the sweat that we got all over our fur when we chased after you, darling.”
Twilight gave Rarity an awkward, apologetic smile.
“Well, now you got the time to get cleaned up, don't you?” Star asked.
“Oh yes,” Rarity sighed. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a hot tub waiting for me.”
“Don't you mean an empty not-so-hot tub?” Pinkie asked innocently. “Unless Sweetie Belle knows about you returning and is preparing a hot tub for you. But then that would mean-” before Pinkie could go any further, Rarity quickly silenced her with her hoof onto her lips.
“I think you know what I mean.” Rarity said, amused. To which Pinkie just giggled as they continued their way to Ponyville, and before realizing, they were already there and Rarity and Pinkie soon went their own ways. Twilight and Star were on their own as they walked towards the library.
Spike sighed when they reached the door. “Ah, home sweet home.”
As Twilight and Spike entered, Star seemed to wonder whatever if she should go inside or not. “Star? Aren’t you coming inside?” Twilight asked when noticing that the other unicorn wasn't following. Her tone giving out that she suspected something.
Star looked everywhere but towards Twilight. “Well, well I, I was thinking about-” she stammered.
“About leaving?” Twilight finished before Star. And she couldn't help but flinch at the accusing tone that Twilight infused in her voice. Well, I should have known better... she thought bitterly.
“I'm rather shocked that you tried to avoid this like that,” Twilight then said, her voice quickly shifting her lecture mode. “I thought you promised that you’d explain more about yourself. And now you try to get out of your promise.”
“I'm...” Spike quietly said, noticing where the situation was going. “I'm going upstairs. To... READ! Yeah, that is, read about... making gems...” he said, but Twilight didn't pay much attention. Star wished she could mimic Spike’s tactical retreat. Well, I could, but that would just make things worse as they are. Nice mess I made, and here I thought I was careful enough.
“Well?” Twilight asked. Star sighed, realizing she had stayed too long quiet with her thoughts.
“Well, I- I just don't much like to discuss about my life. Is that so wrong?” Star said, exasperated. “I just prefer it that way.”
“But why?” Twilight asked, confused. She could see that her words had evoked some reaction from Star that she couldn't hold in anymore.“It really can't be that bad to talk more about yourself,” the unicorn said, motioning Star to come inside the library.
“You don’t get it!” Star snapped. “If I did, ponies would just returned to not care how I feel to be treated and then I would just be alone again!”
“What could be so bad that would make everyone treat you so differently?” Twilight asked, pushing further. She winced at the sharp tone in Star’s voice, but was tired of waiting. It was becoming a great annoyance to her that Star wasn't still opening up after everything they've gone through.
“I-I-I, I just can't!” Star shouted, turning away from Twilight. “I’m, just, my...social...status is so different from yours...” she added. The awkward phrasing only confused Twilight further.
Social status? Twilight thought, confused. Is she a noble or something? She did mention she lived around the castle but...
“What you mean with your social status? Are you trying to say you are actually part of a noble family?”
Star stiffened at that and Twilight caught it immediately. Have I been right then?
Star's eyes once again actively avoided Twilight's gaze. She started feel even more desperate than before. Oh how I wished I really could tell you, Twilight. There’s so much I want to tell you, like how I’ve fallen- no. Stop it! Star thought.
After what happened yesterday, I'm not sure if I can...maybe, maybe I should try and wait. Just a little bit longer. More fully gather my thoughts. Yes, I could do that! Then she then remembered that Twilight stood right in front of her with a very expectant look on her face. I just need little bit more time. Yes! That's what I need.
“No- I mean, yes. You could say that,” Star stuttered, unable to look Twilight directly in the eyes. It kept getting harder to keep her identity fully secret anymore and more and more Star came to regret coming up with this persona of hers.
“It’s really complicated and I just don't want to discuss about it,” she then said firmly. “It is something I've heard so many times! ‘Oh, we won’t judge you, just tell us about yourself.’ And then most just start treating me differently! I'm just getting tired of all of it!”
Twilight stared at the now-upset Star, feeling more confused than ever. She thought she could now get the full story, but all she still got was bits and pieces. She felt exasperated at Star’s intransigence , which didn't fully make sense at all. But the way Star had reacted, it seems this was the furthest she could go with the unicorn.
This is getting ridiculous...and my head is starting to hurt from all of this. Twilight sighed in defeat. It seemed she needed even more time to fully understand what - or who - Star really was.
“I know this is not exactly what I promised back at the mountain,” Star said. You never really told me how much you wanted to know, she mentally added, as if the technicality got her out of her responsibility to Twilight. “But my life isn't exactly for anypony to know. Not anytime soon, anyway.”
With that cryptic comment, Star started to walk towards the door. “Wait! You’re leaving now?” Twilight asked, confused as ever.
“All I’ve done is fuel more questions,” she said as a matter of factly. Twilight couldn't help but feel somewhat embarrassed, before moving to assign responsibility to Star for being unable to just come out and say whatever she was keeping from her.
“Yes, but you can't just leave like that!” Twilight then pointed out. “Why are you avoiding this so much anyway? This is who you are. If you don’t stop running from it, you’ll never be happy!”
Star shifted her gaze between the door and Twilight. “There is something... else...as well.” she then said carefully. Her heart started beating faster at the thought of confessing her feelings to the object of her affections. And now I had to bring those feelings up!? she could feel her face heating up. “I had a... ‘realization,’ you might say. While we stayed with the trolls.” There was something in the way Star looked at her and Twilight wasn't sure what to think.
But it made her feel somewhat uncomfortable and even brought a mad blush on her cheeks. “And I bet you can’t share that either,” Twilight said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. This is getting ridiculous.
“No,” Star replied boldly. Twilight could see that Star’s mood had improved slightly, almost like a tease. Even Star seemed amused at how close to the vest she was. “Not yet anyway.”
Twilight was getting really frustrated and tired of this chase of hers. Why is this so hard!? It really can’t be so bad for her tell the whole story! Twilight then tried to calm herself down. Don’t get upset Twilight, just, just try to find a way to learn more about her. Even if I have to go around her to find out...
“But soon. I hope,” Star added, giving Twilight a rather warm and comfortable smile.
“Sooner than soon, I hope?” Twilight joked back, grateful to get any promise, no matter how dim the hope.
Star just replied with a wide smile. “Maybe?” Her courage quickly failing her, Star turned away from Twilight and used her magic to open the door.
“So, when can I see you next time?” Twilight asked. Star stood in her place, blushing at the thought. Twilight said “I,” not “we.” Maybe...she wants to see me by herself?
“I'm not sure,” she then replied. “Maybe in a few weeks?”
“I think that might work. But why so long a wait?” she asked.
Star draw a circle with her hoof, trying to come up with a reasonable answer. “Well, I’m going to be bit busy…” she replied, not looking at Twilight.
“Like what?”
“Well,” Star slowly began. “ For instance, I-I thought about visiting sister,” she said awkwardly.
Twilight eyed Star. The awkwardness around her was quite noticeable, but this whole situation was getting on her nerves so she decided to let it go. For now at least.
“Can you at least give me your address so we could keep in touch?”
Immediately, Twilight saw that Star didn't seem too fond of the idea as her gaze started to slightly shift all across the room. Star’s expression changed back to a more cheerful one. “I think I like it better this way,” she replied with a smirk. “I like the idea of you waiting breathlessly for my next letter, don't you think?” Her smirk became wider when she noticed Twilight’s rather shocked expression. The purple pony’s ears dropped and a light blush crept up onto her cheeks.
Star laughed, to which Twilight replied with a slight glare before joining in. At least the tension is broken, Star thought in relief.
“Can't say you’re wrong,” Twilight admitted. Am I really that obvious? “I guess that's something Ponyville and my friends certainly have taught me from the day one,” she added. “And maybe Princess Celestia as well.”
Star nodded at that. She tried her hardest not to comment about Celestia's strange methods.
“Maybe,” Star said. “But I must be going before I freeze your home entirely,” she nodded her head pointing towards the still open door.
“Right, right,” Twilight said. “Maybe you can come back sooner than a few weeks?”
“I’ll try,” Star promised. “And could you maybe tell your friends not to ask too many questions as well?” she asked hopefully. “I would really appreciate that.”
Twilight nodded back. “So long as you don’t mind answering mine. When you’re ready, I mean.”
Star then suddenly walked to Twilight, embracing her with a warm hug. “Thank you Twilight. And thank you for the great time so far. Until next time.”
With that, Star left and the door closed behind her.
“Until next time, Star,” Twilight said to the closed door. “And hopefully now, I’ll find out more about you, but you’ve left me no choice.”
She turned her gaze to the upstairs. “Spike!” she called. “I need you to dictate a letter to Princess Celestia!”
She could hear Spike's faint voice calling. “Coming, Twilight! Is everything okay with you and Star?”
A frown then formed around her face. Sorry Star, I hope you will not be too upset with me when you know about this.
Meanwhile...
The room was filled with bright light as Star Dust appeared in the middle of the room, quickly transforming back to Princess Luna. She let out a relieved sigh. Things have become so complicated. And just because I wanted to live a bit more carefully...
“So, how was your day?” Luna jumped at the sound of Celestia's voice coming from her door.
“Tia? How long have you been there! And how did you know I would be here!?” she asked, still in distress.
Celestia waved her hoof as a matter of factly. “Oh, I was walking by and felt your magical aura. I had a letter to pick up,” she added, showing the letter she was magically holding. “So, how was your day?”
Luna stared at her sister for a long time in confusion. Where to start exactly? And how to tell your sister that you had feelings for her pupil and the closest thing to a daughter figure that Celestia had in how many centuries? I’ll save that discussion for later.
“It, it certainly was... something,” she then managed to say.
“Well that is good to know. It’s always good to hear that things are...something,” Celestia said with a knowing smile. Does she suspect that there is more?
“We'll chat more later, once I deal with this,” she said, jiggling the letter in midair.
Before Celestia could leave from the room, Luna remembered a question she had when her sister had entered. “Since when did you start taking letters to anyone?” Luna queried.
“Well, I needed a good excuse to exercise a little bit.” Celestia giggled, leaving Luna alone with herself.
Now that she had returned, everything that happened in Ponyville seemed to have happened in a blur, but some things still confused her. And now, with her new found feelings towards Twilight, she needed time to think. What to do? How to bring it up?
I just can't come up and tell her... maybe, maybe I should first see her feelings towards me... and then a horrifying realization came to her. I have to face Celestia about this! Luna shuttered at the thought.