//------------------------------// // Chapter 37 // Story: New Beginnings // by Hiver //------------------------------// The guards let me into Luna's chambers and I walked over, jumping up to lay down on the couch as I waited for her to return from the balcony and the moon rising. I was a bit early, but I couldn't resist as I was really curious. Last night was the first time she ran her night court and I wanted to know how it went. I mean, I could have gone, it was open to the public. But with the rumors going around, I didn't want to add more to it. Using my magic, I shrugged my bag off and put it next to the table, pulling a book out after a glance at the balcony doors. Not that I needed to wait long before the glow outside dimmed and Luna walked back inside, the moon shining behind her. “Page. You're early.” she said with a smile as she spotted me, making her way over. “I was too curious to stay away. How did it go?” Luna smiled and flicked her ears, jumping onto the couch opposite to me, “How did what go?” she asked as I put the book down between us. I gave her a look at that and poked her chest with my hoof, “Night Court.” She hmmed and shrugged her wings, leaning her side against the backrest of the couch, “It went... well enough.” Frowning at that, I tilted my head in question, “How do you mean?” Luna sighed, “What actually happened went well enough. It was just that nothing much happened. There were a total of five petitioners.” I raised an eyebrow at that, “...Five?” That was not a lot. I know Celestias is always flooded with ponies. She nodded, “It was... almost like before my exile.” she said before she frowned, and admitted “...No, that is not true. It was better than that, more ponies are awake during the night now than back then.” “It was the first time, Luna. I'm sure more will show up when things get rolling.” I said, flicking my ears as I looked up at her, “If nothing else because sooner or later someone will realize that instead of waiting weeks to talk to your sister, they can simply wait until one in the morning and petition you instead.” “...Perhaps.” she sighed, “But I still suspect there will be a disproportionate amount of bakers.” I grinned, “Any show up yesterday?” Luna nodded, “Indeed. A young baker wished to open a bakery here in Canterlot. He had been turned down for a loan previously, so he had decided to petition the crown for one.” “So how did it go?” “He got it.” she said with a smile, “He brought examples of his craft and they were worthy of our own tables. It would have been a crime to the kingdom to withhold the funds he needed.” I grinned, “I have to remember to visit when he opens if it was that good.” “If he did not wish to open his own bakery, I would have suggested he get a place in the royal kitchen.” Luna said with a smile, “The rest of the petitioners were minor nobles wishing for this or that. Some wanting support for a law, others wanting permission for construction. Lord Rune Shield wanted a airship dock at his mansion.” “Did he get it?” “And demolish at least fifteen houses to make room? Not likely.” Luna grinned and picked my book up, “What are you reading?” I shrugged, “I already know the warming spell. Trying to figure out the freezing one...” before I grinned and admitted, “Mostly to be able to keep drinks cool in the middle of summer.” Luna nodded and flipped through the book, closing it and putting it on the table, “It is a relatively tricky spell. Freezing something is more difficult than warming it. Adding energy is easier than removing it.” “So I figured from that equation. I wish I was better at this 'magic' thing.” I sighed and turned my head to glance back at my mark, “Having a mark for magic would have been... awesome.” That brought a chuckle from the Princess, “Such as my sister's student?” I shook my head, “Well... yeah, I guess. You have to admit, the ability to work magic with such ease is a lot cooler than having a bit easier time writing.” Luna grinned, “Page, you love writing.” “Well... yeah. But still. Magic would be awesome.” She sighed, “Well, nothing says you 'have' to follow your mark. It simply shows the first thing you loved doing and find that you are really good at. Nothing says it has to be the only thing you love doing and are great at. There are plenty of ponies in the world that have their special talent as a hobby, not a job.” before she smiled, “And many times it's all about how you interpret your mark. You are a skilled author... but is it your special talent? You woke up with this mark, you didn't earn it the normal way.” I frowned, “I... think so? I mean, it's easier to write here than I remember it being back home before getting this thing. And I love writing.” Luna shifted closer and slightly to the side, looking back at my Cutiemark. She smelled softly of Jasmine. “It's possible to see cutiemarks for several things. Say somebody receives a cutiemark of a coffee cup. They could be specialists at brewing or roasting or growing it. There are plenty of ways to see each mark, several ways each talent could be interpreted. It is all up to the owner how they want to see it, what they want to do. Page, ponies are not slaves to their marks.” Considering that for a short moment I then nodded, “So what else could it mean?” “A blank half rolled up parchment?” Luna shrugged as she looked at it, “Could be anything really. Learning from books, even making paper. Or writing, filling that page. It's all about what you want, Page. For all we know, it might as well be a spell scroll.” I chuckled at that and lifted my book up in my magic as Luna shifted back and stopped looking at my arse, “That's stretching it a bit I think. If it was, I would have a bit easier of a time with this thing.” “Twilight Sparkle also started somewhere. You have only been doing this for a year.” Shaking my head I smiled up at her, “Thanks, but I know I will never be some kind of super wizard. Not enough power. With time, I might learn the skill to be at least good at it, but I simply don't have any real power, I know that much. Compared to other unicorns I've seen, I'm at best average.” She grinned back, “The average unicorn could do a lot more than they think if they put in the time to practice. But I admit that my sister's student is extraordinarily powerful and has a great aptitude for magic. Now, do you wish some assistance in learning this spell?” “...Yes please.”