Star Dust

by Juu50x

Chapter 16 - Poor Start To A New Day

Author's Note:

Sorry for once again taking this long. But when you start studying acting, and it is only year long, things don't go so smoothly. And I also had lot of those days where I just didn't feel like writing, and of course my other projects as well. And now I seem to have also entered into a relationship.

2014 has been bit more than I had originally imagined.

But I hope you will like this chapter and if not, sorry if it sucked. And don't forget to comment and like (if you haven't).

Star Dust

Chapter 16

Poor Start To A New Day

Star Dust looked at Ponyville, feeling both anxious and nervous. She had to stay in Ponyville until her current “dilemma”, as Celestia liked to say, was resolved. After a few weeks, her nervousness had grown significantly.

I still do not feel ready for this... she thought, distraught. The butterflies in her stomach seemed to have only gotten worse with each step she took towards the humble town. But there is no point of turning back now either. She glanced back towards Canterlot's direction. The chances are Celestia will ensure I'll stay in this form forever if I have to.

Star let out a long sigh. It was long enough for her to just stand there and think. The cold already reaching her. “Here goes nothing,” she said with a quiet sigh, taking small steps towards Twilight's library.

While walking there, Star looked around the village, enjoying the view she had. Both the snow all around and the sun that shone so brightly seemed to give it a completely different type of vibe. It was as if everything was covered in diamonds that were crushed into powder.

It certainly made it look beautiful in it's own right. Almost every season made it look beautiful. But the incoming grey blur made it look dull. Wait what? And then the village started to spin around her with white powder.

Are the griffons attacking us again!? she momentarily thought while the village and the world spinned around her.

But her memories started to form the correct pattern of what happened. She remembered she was hit by something grey. And quite soft. Or was that the snow? “Oh my gosh!” she heard somepony exclaim and then that same pony dragged her upwards a bit too harshly.

“I'm so sorry about that!” a mare's voice squeaked in distress.

Star shook her head to clear her head and sight. “What in the name of the moon were you thinking?” she asked, in an annoyed tone.

“I-I-I, well, you see, I had dropped my flight goggles and...” the mare stuttered. Star had now a good look at the mare that had hit her. The mare was grey with golden eyes that were oddly misaligned. Why does she seem to be so familiar?

“I lost my flight goggles and well...” The mare made couple gestures around the field.

“How were you able to lose them in the first place?” Star asked looking at the pegasus with a critical eye. She noticed Now also noticing the saddlebag on the mare's back filled with letters. Upon further inspection, she saw there were some letters spread all around them. The mare squirmed uncomfortably under Star’s gaze while she held her dropped cap on her hoof.

“It- it just happened...” She looked down. “I had some snow on them and tried to clean it off...”

Star let out an annoyed groan. This just didn't seem real. “You could have just landed and then cleaned it off, so this would have happened.” The mare took a few steps backwards, exchanging looks between her and the letters.

“I'm, I'm very sorry about this,” the pegasi apologized. “I didn't meant it, I just... I just panicked. I'm already getting late for my deliveries and-”

“Forget it.” Star said with a weary shake of her head. I already have enough trouble with Celestia banishing me and trying to find out how to tell Twilight about my feelings, and this crazy mare just had to crash into me.

“Oh my gosh, Derpy!” somepony suddenly called out, which made Star’s heart skipped a couple of beats. The voice she had least expected to hear so soon. “Something wrong?”

“Sorry Twilight! I had a little accident here with this mare, and now my mail is scattered and I'm getting late from my deliveries!” the pegasus, who seemed to be called “Derpy” called back in great distress, running all around picking up her dropped letters the best she could.

But she was in such a hurry that she dropped most of them. “Could you try to pick them up a little more carefully?” Star asked, looking at Derpy, who was still struggling.

“And maybe you could help us Star, so we can move a little bit faster,” Twilight added, giving her a slight glare, which made Star’s heart jump uncomfortably and made her actually feel ashamed and disappointed in herself.

I'm the Princess of the Night, and this mare makes me feel like a foal who had done something wrong. She glanced at Derpy, who was still looking for letters in very big hurry, dropping them yet again. Star could see fear and desperation in the mare's eyes. And maybe I have been...

Star joined the two.The collecting went much faster, and soon Derpy had all of her letters. Star then went for the cap that had also fell from the pegasi, but as she picked it up, she felt Twilight’s magic mix with her own.

Both of them blushing badly, Twilight letting go apologizing timidly, Star doing the same. With that, the grey pegasi gave them quick “thank you's” and took flight. Both of them watched as the grey blur dashed forward.

“What was that about?” Twilight asked Star in interrogative tone.

“Wha?” Star looked confusingly and a little innocently at Twilight. “What do you mean?”

“The way you lashed out towards Derpy,” Twilight pointed, giving Star the same glare like just a few moments ago.

Star stared at her, stuttering, trying to find the right words and explain herself. This whole day seemed to have gone completely off the rails. All I wished was to have a quick walk to library and try to think how I am going to face Twilight about my feelings.

“I.. I...” Star began. Twilight looked at her patiently, letting the other unicorn try to collect herself quickly. She could see that Star was blushing quite madly. “It was just that I... I... I just had a really bad morning today… And I already was quite annoyed with something... personal,And it didn't help when this pegasi-”

“Derpy,” Twilight corrected her.

“-Derpy,” Star amended. “When Derpy crashed into me, it didn't help my mood at all. And in Canterlot, you know...” She then lowered her voice a bit, trying to make Twilight understand. “In Canterlot, it is not taken so kindly when something like that happens. It usually says that the pony is incapable of doing his or her job. Or they are, without a better word: lazybones. And I have come in contact with few of them like that.” Star sighed.

Twilight eyed Star, then nodded at Star to follow her. “I lived in Canterlot too, Star, I know,” Twilight said calmly,her gaze hard. “But you still have to understand that Derpy is nothing of that sort.”

More lectures! Star wailed inwardly. First Celestia, now Twilight.

“She is very hard working pony, even with her disability,” Twilight continued. “I heard she had a hard time to get her job because of that. But thanks to some of her friends, she was able to get it. And it was a good thing since she is also a single mother, taking care of two young fillies.” Star couldn't help but feel sorry about what she had said to the pegasi.

She was just doing her job the best she could and I lashed out on her like that, she lamented, her head lowered and ears flattened.

“You can apologize to her later if you wish to,” Twilight then said encouragingly with a slight smile, noticing Star’s expression and trying to make her feel better. Star nodded.

An awkward silence fell between them. Neither really knew what to say next to each other. She certainly took her time. Too bad we had to meet again this kind of circumstance, Twilight randomly thought. I still haven't heard anything from Gold. But hopefully I might hear something soon.

That thought sent a wave of guilt in Twilight. I really hate to do this. Her nervousness rose slightly. But if Star is now ready to talk, maybe I can send a emergency to letter to Gold to say I don't need his help, she thought, feeling more hopeful. But I still need to tell Star about it. And she no doubt won't like the idea. Hopefully we can work things out when I have to bring this up.

“So, you are now back then?” Twilight finally asked as they closed on the library.

Star sighed and rolled her eyes, making Twilight feel unsure if she had just annoyed Star. She seemed to be a bit more tempered than usually she had seen. Has she always been like this? she wondered.

“Yes,” Star said in a bored tone, as if she had told her story many times to somepony. “I had a... talk with my sister. And I just didn't like her attitude towards me and some of my choices,” she finished, deadpanning.

“Oh, I see,” Twilight said, suddenly remembering something Star had said. “So your sister came to visit you then?” she asked, genuinely interested and even happily. That seemed to throw Star completely off guard as she halted completely.

“What?” Her head swiped at Twilight with a wide eyed and questioning look. “What do you mean?” Twilight returned with her own confused look.

“Didn't you say your sister and mother lived quite away from Canterlot and you mostly just talked through letters?” she asked, confused and slowing her pace. Star started blushing again, and this time no doubt from embarrassment.

“Oh, oh OH yes. YES! She did. Yes, she did! It was... it was really... something.” Star’s rambling had quickly turned into unexplained mumbling, which made it sound like she was talking to herself than to Twilight.

She sounds a little... off? Twilight thought, confused. Maybe even bit shocked? Why this was such a shocking question?

“You okay, Star?” Twilight asked, noticing Star was still going on with her mumbling. That seemed to get her attention. “You seemed to zone out.”

“Sorry about that, Twilight,” Star apologized, turning her head away from the lavender pony.

“So, what did you two talk about?” Twilight asked, curious. Star now blushed even more than just a while ago.

“We... we talked about, since last time we talked...” Star told her, looking quite embarrassed and a bit miserable, which also told Twilight that there was something else that Star didn't want to discuss. “And, well, we didn't see eye to eye about everything...” Star sighed. “And one thing lead to another.”

Everything Star said sounded too cryptic to Twilight. But why did it sound like she had heard these kinds of words before and why did they sound like they were spoken by somepony she knew?

“I see,” Twilight replied, not sure what to say.

“And now I'm here for a while...” Star then suddenly said quietly. Which sounded more like she was saying that to herself and not expecting Twilight to hear.

“What?”

“I mean that after the talk, I soon left for Ponyville!” Star corrected herself. “I- I was getting tired of her constant bickering and worries. I know she means well, but she sometimes seems to be too over-protective, and, without a better word: too caring.”

Twilight couldn't help but chuckle at Star’s words. The way she talked about her sister reminded her in someway of Celestia. She always wanted the best of everypony and that they were happy. And that kind of caring could be a little bit annoying.

“Your sister really reminds me of my teacher,” Twilight smiled. Star tensed, but Twilight didn't notice. “Always so caring and wishing the best for everypony.”

“Really?” Star asked, shaking.

Twilight nodded. Then she turned her head to Star, with an amused, questioning look. “So, what do you say if we go inside from the cold and have some hot chocolate and you can tell me the rest, and what you've been doing?” she suggested.

Star nodded, giving Twilight a warm and friendly smile. That sounded really nice for her. “I would like that.” she said. I wouldn't want anything else in all Equestria. she thought, the same smile getting bit brighter.

“So, how long are you going to stay in Ponyville now?” Twilight then asked as they were entering the library.

Star shrugged. “Quite a while.”

“And that means...?” Twilight asked, waiting for Star to continue.

“I haven't really planned it,” Star simply stated. Her horn now glowing, magical aura surrounding her jacket. “By the way, you don’t know any kinds of cheap places to sleep?” she said, putting her jacket away.

Twilight simply looked more surprised than shocked. It always seemed to get some form of reaction from her if somepony says that they really haven't planned anything and just going on as they please. But with all the craziness that has happened with her, and Pinkie Pie, Twilight had learned that not everything can be scheduled. But that didn't meant that she couldn't at least try little bit.

“I see,” Twilight replied, unsure This only means Star is staying here for a long while. For some reason, that made her heart flutter and her cheeks bit warmer. “Well, there are very few around Ponyville, truth to be told.” she said. “But you… you could stay here.” she suggested.

There was a small flinch in Star’s pose and face. “I, I don’t want to be a bother-”

“But you aren’t!” Twilight quickly cut in. “And I would like if you stayed here.” she mildly added, blushing.

But then something seemed to come to Twilight as she eyed Star who, in return, shifted her eyes away, not sure what Twilight was thinking. “But if you are planning on staying here for long time, then why have you come here without packing anything?” she asked.

Star pressed her lips hard against each other. Why do these things keep happening to me?! No! Don't panic. Just keep your head about you, you can think of something. Star again avoided Twilight's gaze, trying to buy time.

“Uuuh... I- I just didn't feel like I really needed anything with me...” she said awkwardly.

“Well, you are in luck!” Twilight declared happily, forgetting the strange feelings. “Because if you don't plan to leave anytime soon, you could take part in this years Winter Wrap Up!” She smiled, her eyes beaming.

Stop being so adorable Twilight! Star screamed inwardly. The look Twilight was giving her was making it hard not to go and give her a big hug.

“Oh!” Twilight gasped, her hooves on her cheeks. “That means I can arrange your part for the Wrap Up! Oh, this is going to be so much fun!”

She suddenly walked quite close to Star who now couldn't hold her blush and started to feel a little flustered. “Do you think you can work with animals?” Twilight questioned. Her face was too close to Star’s for the latter’s comfort, who could pretty much feel her breath on her nuzzle.

“Or do you have skating skills to break the ice? Or maybe you actually have the strength to clear away the snow and plant the seeds?”

“Wait, what?” Star was able to ask - but only just.

Twilight's face moved further away from Star’s face, for which the disguised lunarch was grateful, but she also felt a small pang of disappointment for some reason. “Winter Wrap Up is divided in three jobs, well, technically four since there is the taking care of bringing back the Southern Birds, but that job is solely for the pegasi,” Twilight explained. Star could only nod, still feeling uncomfortable to speak up. Her heart was still beating quite fast and her face felt really warm.

“Why don't we just try to relax and have a nice talk?” Twilight then suggested in a friendly tone, walking towards the living room. “I also can now make those cocoa’s if you want to.” Twilight smiled.

“I would love that,” Star said simply, following Twilight.

Much, much later outside at the library's balcony, Star stood quietly, looking at the night sky and lit stars. The day had not exactly been what she had expected, but in the end it wasn't a bad one. Well, almost.

Meeting with Twilight had been different she had expected. She had thought about going to the library, and then meet up with the unicorn and from that they would spent the day as they pleased.

And now, here she stood, leaning on the balcony rail and looking at the night sky. She realised how nervous she really had been around her. Not in a way someone might notice it, but she herself could feel it.

My heart was beating so quickly and I didn't dare to speak much... she thought nervously. Suddenly, when seeing her eyes, it came even harder for me to tell her, or even think about telling he. She felt her lower lip almost quiver. Why this is so hard!? Of course, I could lose her as a friend if things don't go right. She shuddered at the thought of that as her eyes started to water.

She wouldn't talk to me. She would despise me. Ignore me... Star sniffed, trying her best not to start crying. She wiped her eyes from the tears that were threatening to fall. No! I can't waver now! I need to be strong! Or Celestia just sent me here for nothing. And I can't doubt myself now!

She felt herself growing bolder. But there was still the doubt, and fear of driving away the only friend she made. And maybe the other friends she had made now. I really am considering them as my actual friends. She smiled. But she needed to think a way to make sure that the happiness that she wished to have, could be achieved without losing the friendships she has made.

And maybe achieve a different kind of happiness...A happiness I’ve never experienced before. She glanced back at the door. I just need to think a perfect timing. Like the kind of surprise like in those romance novels. Or maybe I could try to something of my own.

“Star, are you coming back anytime soon?” she suddenly heard Twilight calling her from the now opened door.

“Yes Twilight,” Star said, walking back inside. “Interested to see the stars?” Twilight then asked with an amused smile. Star only nodded. “Maybe we could look at them...together?” she suggested as Star stepped inside, closing the door behind he.

“Maybe another night,” Star replied. “I feel rather tired.” That isn't fully true. I just want some rest from all of this.

“Of course, I understand.” Twilight smiled, nodding.

Comments

[YeetimusMaximus]

Yay new chapter