//------------------------------// // 2. Shadows of Friendship // Story: Starlight Over the Forest // by DwarvishPony //------------------------------// Ponyville's streets were nearly empty by the time Starlight Glimmer returned to civilization. Were it not for the few friendly ponies headed home after a long day, Ponyville could have been mistaken for a ghost town. A light breeze whistled down main street, caressing the treetops as it passed. Starlight shivered as she walked, grateful that she didn't have to endure the stares and whispers from earlier. She embraced the solitude she was feeling at that moment. It helped her retain the zen-like feeling from her meditation. She silently promised herself to try doing more tomorrow. "Starlight?" A familiar voice asked, accompanied by the gentle sounds of hooves meeting earth. "Where have you been? It's been hours." Starlight turned to face Princess Twilight. She took a deep breath, like a child being reprimanded for sneaking in past curfew. "I was in the Everfee Forest." She replied, being cut off before explaining everything. "Are you nuts!?" Twilight's expression was an intimidating blend of shock, worry, and disappointment. "You know how dangerous it is in there!" "I know, Twilight. But I can handle myself. I'm older than you, remember?" "I... I know." Twilight sighed. "Its just that you're my first pupil, and I worry about something bad happening." Twilight's ears flattened against her head as she pawed at the ground with a hoof. "I mean, you're perfectly capable, I've seen that first hand. But still, I've seen the pain in Celestia's eyes when she talks about students she's lost. I don't think I could handle going through that." "It's fine. Really. I shouldn't have gone into the Everfree alone." Starlight frowned, somewhat annoyed that Twilight had managed to make a lecture about herself, even if she didn't mean to. The comforting words felt hollow, even to Starlight's ears. "Let's just forget about it, okay?" Twilight tried smiling to deflect some of the tension building between the two mares. "Let's head back to the castle. Spike should have dinner ready soon." Dinner was awkward, to say the least. Despite Twilight having said that Starlight disappearing into the Everfree Forest was forgotten about, it was clear she had some reserves about the whole situation. Spike sat between the two. Even at his young age he knew something was up, but he didn't know what to say. The only sounds in the dining hall were the clatter of silverware against plate. Twilight kept glancing at Starlight, who avoided her gaze. Spike just kept looking back and forth between the two. "I'm going to go read comics..." Spike said slowly, finally breaking the painful silence. Neither mare responded, so Spike slipped out of his chair and carried his plate into the kitchen as quickly as he could. The two mares sat in silence for a moment longer before Twilight finally said something. "So what were you doing in the Everfree Forest?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "I was... meditating." Starlight answered, realizing that it must seem a lame excuse. "Meditating." Twilight stared flatly. "In a forest filled with dangerous creatures." She sighed. "Starlight, I get that you're going to want a measure of independence. And I get that you're going to do things you don't want to tell me about. But if you don't want to tell me something, you don't have to lie. I won't respect you any less for saying you don't want to tell me." "But I really was meditating." Starlight facehoofed. "Look, Twilight. I get that you're new to the whole teacher thing. Really. But there's a difference between teaching and mothering. Did Celestia dote on you every second of the day to make sure you learned your lessons?" "Well, no I-" "Then please offer me that same chance." Starlight snapped. The unicorn mare stood and floated her dishes into the kitchen before retreating to the solitude of her room. Twilight's ears flattened against her head as she sat in silence in the dining hall and thought about what Starlight had said. Starlight simmered in her room. She was torn between going for a walk and throwing something. She paced her room in frustration, muttering to herself. "Why did I act like that? I'm such an idiot!" Starlight cursed. "I bet she's going to open that door any moment now and ask me to leave. I'm such a terrible student." Starlight glanced at the door in fear but it remained shut. Starlight huffed slightly and got into bed. Maybe this was all a bad dream? That's it. Any moment she'd wake up and Twilight wouldn't be mad at her. She wouldn't be getting kicked out of the castle. She wouldn't be upset. Dreams were just scary things sometimes. But Starlight didn't wake up. She was already awake. And her irrational thinking was still eating at her. She flung the covers across the room and cursed again. Starlight lay on her back and stared at the crystalline ceiling of her room. "Why me?" She directed the question upwards, as if the ceiling could answer her. "I wonder if Twilight made a mistake." Starlight made no attempts to wipe away the tears that tickled at her face as they made their escape from the corners of the unicorn's eyes. "No. That's just me being silly. Right?" Starlight rationalized. "Princesses don't make mistakes. Look at Princess Celestia." She rolled over and sighed. The words sounded hollow to her ears. Without realizing it, Starlight had curled into a tight ball as she spiraled further into her personal darkness. Why can't I be like other ponies? Better ones who don't worry about stuff like this. Like Tree Hugger. Tree Hugger. The name brought back the pleasant memories of this afternoon. That brief, glorious respite from the constant fear and discomfort that was Starlight Glimmer's life. She sat up. Crossing her legs, Starlight brought her forehooves together and took a deep breath. She slowly let it out with a light Ohhm sound. Then she did it again. And again. Pretty soon the shadows that gnawed at the recesses of Starlight's mind receded. The tenseness in her muscles slowly unknotted. Starlight fell into a relaxed state. Time slipped away, having lost all meaning. All there was now was this moment. The moment of utter relief as Starlight let go of everything that plagued her. The shadows would return. They always did. But right now, in this very instant, this fraction of time, Starlight was whole. The illusion was shattered abruptly by a voice. "You were really meditating?" Twilight asked, her voice barely a whisper. It was still enough for Starlight to come crashing back to reality. And the floor as she realized that she wasn't alone and flailed in shock. "Are you all right?!" Twilight was at her side immediately. "Yeah. I just didn't expect anypony to be in here. When did you come in?" Starlight twisted herself into a sitting position. "I came to check on you." Twilight blushed lightly. "When nopony answered my knocking, I got worried." "Oh. Sorry." Starlight looked away. "I um... guess I was really out of it." "No, no. It's my fault. I shouldn't have barged in." Twilight took a step back, giving Starlight a bit more breathing room. Awkwardness settled over the two like a wet blanket. "So... Where did you learn meditation techniques?" "I uh... Everfree Forest." Starlight replied. "You visited Zecora? I didn't know you two knew each other already." "Who?" Starlight stared in confusion. "Zecora? Zebra living in the Everfree Forest?" Twilight sighed. "Never heard of her. I was with Tree Hugger." "Tree Hugger? Fluttershy's friend?" Twilight tilted her head in a mix of surprise and confusion. "Fluttershy said she'd visit soon, but why was she in the Everfree Forest?" "I don't know actually. I went for a walk, and heard her meditating. There were all these little critters around, playing and the like. It all looked so peaceful that when Tree Hugger invited me to join her, I couldn't say no." Twilight tapped her chin in thought but didn't reply. "She invited me over to spend time with her and Fluttershy during her visit. I was thinking of asking Fluttershy if it was okay for me to join them for tea." "That's a great idea! I'm surprised, Starlight. I mean, I was kind of worried that you were having trouble adjusting to being my pupil, but not only have you been adjusting better than i'd hoped, you're already seeking out your own lessons in friendship!" Twilight gushed. "Ooh this is so exciting! I'm going to write a letter to Princess Celestia telling her about the progress you've been making. She'll be so pleased! Oh! You'll have to tell me all about how things go tomorrow. I want to hear every last detail!" Twilight trotted off giddily, oblivious to the look of concern on Starlight Glimmer's face. Starlight held a hoof out, words of protest caught painfully in her throat. She'd just wanted to spend time with somepony. Now Twilight was turning it into a friendship lesson. The door closed behind Twilight. The shadows crept back in slowly, summoned by the closing of the bedroom door.