With a tiny shower of sparks, the last bit of oil sputtered out. A white quill pen scratched across the parchment with increasing velocity as the alicorn’s thoughts tumbled and spilled onto the blank page.
A plate of food remained on her desk, still barely touched, as if it was mocking her growling stomach. It was starting to smell unpleasant. But aside from that, her bedroom was perfectly to her liking- cold, dark, and completely silent. The burning midday sun had long since been cooled by a substantial downpour. Luna had even considered taking a stroll around the castle gardens, but her legs froze halfway out the door when she considered the possibility of encountering Celestia again.
Her cheeks flushed with shame at the memory of their last conversation. It had been an utter embarrassment. A wreck.
Celestia.
With a resolute sigh, Luna rolled the parchment up and sealed it, dipping a wooden block into a pool of cyan wax and pressing it to the paper. Her horn glowed dimly, surrounding the paper with a bluish aura. There was a crackle of energy, and it disappeared with a poof of smoke.
Overcome by exhaustion, Luna rested her forehead against the cool wood of her desk.
The moon was set to rise soon, but the alicorn could barely muster the motivation for such a task. Celestia had taken care of it for the last millennia- what was another day or week or month? Luna knew she would not ask questions.
And gently, Luna’s thoughts peacefully tapered off. Before she realized it, she was asleep.
-
Spike belched loudly, earning himself a reprimanding glare from Twilight. “Spike! Is that any way to behave around guests?” Fluttershy smiled inwardly and took another wordless sip of tea.
From the kitchen windows, they could see the storm raging outside. The wind was howling angrily. Hail pelted Ponyville at regular intervals, sounding like staccato gunshots on the library’s roof. The occasional crack of thunder boomed through the air.
Their afternoon tea had quickly turned into an impromptu sleepover, though none of the ponies involved seemed to mind.
“S’rry Twi, I think somethings comin’ up. Woah!” This time a scroll materialized in the air, which the dragon snatched with practiced ease.
“This isn’t from Celestia.” He frowned and shot Twilight a quizzical glance. “This isn’t from Celestia?”
The purple unicorn quickly excused herself, bringing the unexpected correspondence to her office. She snapped the seal with a burst of magic and unfurled the aged paper, eyes scanning the document curiously.
Dearest Twilight Sparkle,
I apologize for the unexpected nature of this letter, but I fear I have no other choice.
You see, I have written to you seeking guidance...
To be continued.