Canterlot, the imperial capital and beating heart of the Equestrian Kingdom. Everypony who was anypony lived, worked, or at least visited here on a regular basis. It was marvel of design, hanging gracefully from the edge of a mountain like an oversized bird’s nest.
Spires dotted the densely populated city, crawling skywards. It would seem that the architects were in a constant struggle to see who could create the greatest monument. Yet even though the city was dotted with them, each spire was a unique landmark in itself. The royal palace, city hall, the famed clock tower, and the observatory. Each was carefully designed and constructed to look different from the rest.
The sight of the city took Starlight’s breath away, though at this altitude that wasn’t very hard. Starlight had always been a big pony in a small world. She had moved from hamlet to hamlet and had never even held interest in visiting any of the larger cities of Equestria.
She felt saddened realizing just what she had been missing. The sadness was soon replaced with a bitterness as a fresh series spires greeted her. It was the campus of Canterlot University. The campus that housed the illustrious Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. The very school her greatest friend had been taken to, before he abandoned her.
It may have been treason to think negatively of a princess, but Starlight’s feelings for the four rulers ranged from neutrality to straight up animosity at this point in her life. In a pessimist way she was just waiting for Cadance and Luna to screw her over and complete the list.
The campus was soon obscured, along with most of the spires by a large white wall. They were approaching the city, and before them the gates parted, allowing the train entry. The gates were massive being at least several stories tall, and constructed from the finest woods and metals the kingdom could spare.
Upon passing through the gates, the city once again captured a warmer side of Starlight. Ponies, hundreds of ponies walked through the streets of the city. They talked, laughed, pranced, sung, shopped, ate, and performed every activity imaginable. Starlight couldn’t help but stare at them in awe. This was a completely foreign world to her.
The train began to slow as they entered an immense structure of glass and brick. The train’s deceleration grew until they came to a jerking stop. Outside of her window was a platform with a small group of ponies having gathered on it.
Starlight got to her hooves and walked for the door, though she was soon forced to a halt as everypony else made a rush for the exit. Most ponies had luggage so the rush soon halted as a jam formed. It was slow work but eventually the line crept forward as groups of one or two gathered their bags and left.
It took a few halting minutes but Starlight eventually made her way onto the platform. She looked around, feeling a sense of confusion. She knew that her plan required her to be in Canterlot, but now that she was here she had no idea what to do.
Starlight walked up to a small booth with its shutters closed. Written upon a piece of cardboard was the message, “gone for lunch be back in 30.”
Lunch, that seemed like as good a start as any. Starlight hadn’t eaten on the train and her last meal of mountain grass was a distant memory.
There were several shops embedded into the far wall of the station, along with several kiosks intermingled among the various train platforms. Most of these served food. Starlight approached one of the kiosks, this one preparing coffee and donuts. Maybe it wasn’t the most luxurious food, but Starlight wasn’t the most luxurious mare.
Starlight entered into a queue, which slowly began to move forward. She studied the menu, mentally calculating what she wanted. Obviously a cup of coffee would really be nice, oh and one of the blueberry jam filled fritters would be delectable. The math of want soon broke down as a realization hit her. Canterlot was not her town, in Canterlot things cost bits.
Oh sure Starlight knew how bits worked, everypony did. The problem was, she hadn’t had to use bits since her foalhood. She smiled awkwardly before side stepping out of line. How could she have been so absent minded.
Back in the small town where she boarded the train the pony running the train station had attempted to ask her for a fare. She had rejected and with a little flare of her more, illicit magic, she had managed to get him to waver the fee. That would have been a nice trick to use on the coffee shop but with so many witnesses around the idea was soon thrashed. Magic was never a subtly force.
That little incident should have been a precursor of things to come. An old saying entered Starlight’s mind, there was no place like home. That seemed true, her town was the only place a pony could eat and have housing without money. All they needed was neighbourly spirit and unity.
Feeling dejected Starlight left the little kiosk and looked around for an exit. She noticed on one of the pillars a bronze arrow pointing right. Under the arrow was a plastic panel reading exit, and a translation of the word into several languages.
It took a few minutes of following the arrows, but finally Starlight found herself outdoors. Canterlot looked even more spectacular from this angle. The cobblestone streets were filled with ponies, and flanking them were a dozen different shops each with its own unique flare and design. Yet even with all the clashing shops and styles two traits remained present across the board. Everything was regal and cosmopolitan.
However, every single shop required the one thing she didn’t have, bits. Starlight walked aimlessly through the streets trying to figure out her next move. Her plan was to stay in Canterlot until Princess Twilight was summoned by Princess Celestia. Without bits, she’d either be forced out of the city, or if she remained into squalor. Neither option sounded pleasing.
Starlight walked around for the gods knew how long, but when she finally looked up she was outside of the Royal Canterlot Library. It was an immense domed structure, coloured grey and purple. Royal and civic banners hung from the roof. To enter a pony would have to ascend marble steps, which were guarded by the pearl white statues of two scholarly unicorns.
Starlight walked up the steps and approached the structure’s golden doors. She at least knew that this place would not bar her for lack of funds.
Starlight entered and was immediately overwhelmed. Books, books everywhere. The walls were lined from floor to roof in tens of thousands of books. The library was also filled with ponies. Either walking around in search of something to read or reading at one of the many oaken tables.
Starlight wandered deeper into the library, finding herself amongst the many rows of shelves. She was idly sifting through some tomes, still deep in thought. A voice peaked on the edge of her understand. When she realized it was directed at her she zoned back in and chuckled nervously.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” Starlight said with a sheepish grin.
Standing a few steps away was an elderly unicorn mare who was sliding a book back onto the shelf.
The mare smiled. “I asked if I could help you with anything.”
Starlight shook her head. “Uh no I’m good, thank you. Wait, do you work here?”
The mare nodded. “I am the head librarian.”
“Head librarian? That sounds prestigious.”
The librarian smirked, and gave a small laugh. “Is it? I don’t feel overly prestigious.”
Starlight bit her lip looking from left to right. It was just the two of them in among the shelves.
“I mean to be the head librarian of the kingdom’s largest library. It obviously takes a special sort of pony to do that.” Special the word tasted like acid in Starlight’s mouth. “I’d love to work here. How often do you hire?”
“I just hired a new assistant librarian, so sadly not for a little while.”
“Oh that’s a shame, this looks like it’d be an interesting job.”
“Well we are looking for ponies every once in a while. If you can give me your address, I’ll make sure to send you a letter next time we’re looking.”
Starlight made sure to watch the gap between the shelves. Over the course of their conversation not a single pony had walked by. It really was just Starlight and the librarian.
“Has anypony in your staff met the new pony yet?”
The librarian paused, “uh no, just myself.”
The edge of Starlight’s lips turned upwards as she faced the librarian, looking her dead in the eye. Starlight’s expression must have been absolutely sinister since the librarian took a step away, a startled noise falling from her lips.
Starlight’s horn began to glow a nice ambient aqua green. The librarian took another step back, looking ready to bolt. Starlight didn’t allow this as magic laced around the librarian’s tail. The librarian tried to scream but another tendril of magic wrapped around her muzzle forcing it closed.
A cloud of light floated off of Starlight’s horn, slowly making its way over to the librarian. The cloud rested right before the librarian’s nostrils. Once she inhaled she took in both air, and the magical essence. It took a moment but soon her eyes went glassy and unfocused.
Starlight smirked and began to pace around the librarian, talking in a nice soothing tone. “My name is Starlight Glimmer, your new assistant librarian.”
“You are Starlight Glimmer, my new assistant librarian.” The librarian repeated in a distant voice.
“You will inform the interviewee that a better offer had been presented and you sadly can not hire them.”
“I will inform the interviewee that there was a better offer.”
“Very good.” Starlight paused before deciding to kill two birds with one stone. “Do you live alone?”
“Yes, I live alone.”
“Oh absolutely fantastic. Do you have a guest room?”
“Yes.”
“Well how very kind of you to rent it to me for such a reasonable rate.”
“Very kind.”
“Now where do you live?”
As the librarian rattled off an address, Starlight noticed a small saddlebag hanging from the librarian’s hip.
“How many bits do you have on you?”
“Fifty-Seven.”
“Well that hardly a proper hiring bonus, but times are tough.”
“Times are tough.”
Starlight smiled warmly and released her control on the mare. The librarian blinked once, twice, and a final time before entering her body once more. She looked at Starlight for a moment in utter silence before putting on a nice big smile.
“Its so good of you to stop by Starlight. Are you ready for work this Monday?” The librarian asked in a cheery tone.
Starlight’s smile went from warm to beaming as she replied. “Of course, I can’t wait.” She paused and went wide eyed realizing she never got the librarian’s name. “Miss.”
The librarian laughed and waved a hoof. “Miss? Please Starlight, call me Poetic.”
Starlight gave a small nod. “Of course Poetic. Sorry, I must be nervous. I am really excited about this job.”
Poetic looked at Starlight in a motherly fashion as she levitated a small bundle of bits out of her bag. “Before I forget, here is a small hiring bonus. I know it isn’t much, but you know, the economy and what not.”
Starlight took the bits, hovering them beside herself. “Oh don’t worry Poetic, I completely understand. I’ll see you later?”
Poetic nodded, giving off a crisp smile. “Of course Starlight. See you back at home.”
With that Starlight left the librarian behind walking back into the atrium of her new workplace. Oh sure it was a step down from being mayor but she could get used to this.
With some bits now to her name Starlight began to get herself acquainted with a couple of stores in Canterlot. She was usually a rather conservative mare but now she couldn’t help but splurge. She had just come off of a rather traumatic experience after all. So, why not live a little?
The first thing Starlight did was buy herself a pouch to store her bits. What she ended up purchasing was a small little bag which hung tightly around her midriff. The store owner explained that most ponies in Canterlot hid it under their gown or suit. Starlight now only having fifty-two bits decided to forgo additional clothing for the moment.
Next on Starlight’s list was something to eat. She had still not gotten herself lunch and her stomach was rumbling. She looked around town, humming and hawing at the various places to get a meal. Part of her wanted to splurge and run into one of the restaurants proclaiming three hooves.
Starlight had no idea what that meant, but it must have been good considering so many places bragged about it.
Instead she decided on a nice little bakery that was nestled into the corner of a bustling intersection. She grabbed a bagel with rosemary cream cheese and a cup of chai tea before sitting down at one of the tables outside.
Starlight ate slowly, watching the world go by around her. There was so much chaos in this city, and she enjoyed witnessing it from the safety of her seat. Muscular earthpony stallions trotted swiftly pulling carriages behind them. Slender unicorns walked on the shoulders of the street chit chatting amongst themselves. Pegasi zoomed over head, eager to avoid the pandemonium below.
It was a far cry from the rustic calm that her village offered. She felt lonely, and with that came a stinging bitterness. She didn’t need her village. They had betrayed her, and she had no time for traitors.
She wolfed down the bagel, which had lost all of its flavour. She then just sat there, her hoof poking at the disposable cup of tea before her. She looked around, and seeing that the space had lost its charm decided to throw back her tea before leaving.
Canterlot was a massive city, and while Starlight would have enjoyed a bit more exploring she decided it would be better to find out where exactly her new home was. First she made her way back to the library, using it as the starting point for the long list of directions that Poetic had rattled off.
Starlight began to follow the directions and as she did so the city around her changed. The city core was constructed of narrow cobblestone roads with massive ornate buildings flanking them. Not a single space was left to homes, instead being used by many shops or services.
A transition began as Starlight made her way towards the walls that surrounded the city. The ornate buildings were soon replaced by identical looking brick and concrete apartment blocks. Individual homes seemed like a very elusive prospect in Canterlot. Starlight couldn’t really blame the city. While it may have been massive to her, it was still compact for the sheer number of ponies who lived there. This meant economizing on space.
When Starlight finally arrived at her destination she stood before a five story tall building constructed of a faded red brick. Starlight walked up the steps and tried the door, it was locked. She thought about trying to wedge her magic into the building and opening it from the inside but the door was tightly affixed to its frame. The gap between the frame and door was far to narrow for her to even attempt it.
Starlight looked to the right and noticed a mechanism affixed to the wall next to the door. On it were twenty different names with black buttons next to each of them. She scanned them until she saw the name Poetic Prose, next to the number 303. Her hoof came up and she pushed the button. Nothing happened. She pressed it again, and still nothing happened.
Starlight peered through a narrow rectangular window next to the door. There were no ponies within view inside the building.
Starlight grunted and took a step back examining the apartment block. She trotted around it, looking up and down. The building was solid brick though on each floor were eight windows. Two in each compass direction.
Starlight noticed that a single window on the forth floor was opened. Starlight looked around, and when she saw that there were no prying eyes she encased herself in magic.
Flight was not a common skill for unicorns. In fact, Starlight had never met another unicorn who could pull it off. She lifted herself gingerly off of the ground and began to levitate herself alongside the building. She crept along the side until she was level with the opened window.
Starlight peeked inside and grinned. The place was devoid of any ponies. She gently propelled herself inside and released the spell as soon as her hooves made contact with solid ground.
The apartment Starlight landed in was rather mundane looking, so she moved on quickly. She unlocked the door and walked through, closing it gently behind her. The hallway was equally boring with white walls that had been yellowed with age, and a greying carpet that had probably been vibrant blue a couple of decades ago.
Starlight walked through the hallway and down the flight of stairs until she reached the third floor. She then looked around, and upon seeing the door labelled ‘303’ approached it. She grabbed the door knob with her magic and gave it a twist. It didn’t budge. Starlight then noticed a peep hole which had been hollowed out
Starlight smirked and looked around once more to make sure that no ponies were present. It turned out that being a unicorn destined to toy with magic gave you an almost criminal set of skills. Her horn glowed and an aura of magic pushed through the peep hole. She was blind so she felt around with her spell slowly rolling it down the interior of the door.
Starlight was deep in concentration, searching along the rough wooden surface. Her magic then made contact with something smooth and metallic. She carefully wrapped her magic around the object, identifying it as the doorknob. Giving it a gentle turn, Starlight felt the doorknob pop out by a few millimetres.
Starlight pulled her magic back through the peephole and gave the doorknob on her side a turn. The door opened, revealing her new home.
The apartment was humble, though Starlight was use to that. It was also tidy, Poetic clearly doing a fine job of keeping her life in order. The furniture was old and looked straight out of a catalog from thirty years ago. Starlight closed the door behind herself and walked through the apartment.
On the kitchen table was a half finished puzzle. While the coffee table in the living room was piled up with books in various states of incompletion. Starlight ignored them instead making her way into a narrow hallway, which had three doors connected to it.
The door to the left led to a small bathroom. So small in fact that there was no bathtub and just a shower. The door to her right led to a bedroom. This one looked lived in so Starlight assumed it was Poetic’s. She then advanced to a door at the end of the hallway.
Inside was a perfectly kept, though completely boring room. The furniture was spartan. A table, a chair, a dresser, and a small bed. On the bed were some white sheets with lilacs imprinted upon them. As Starlight got closer, she could smell the faint echo of mothballs upon the sheets.
Having been without sleep since her little catnap in the caverns, Starlight climbed onto the bed. She rested her head upon the impossibly soft pillow and was out like a light within seconds.