Cotton Candy Conundrum

Featuring: Starlight Glimmer and Sweetie Swirl

The aroma of a fresh cup of hot chocolate spread across Starlight Glimmer's office as she sat bored at her desk. Being the guidance counselor in the School of Friendship wasn't exactly a thrilling job to have. Because the school’s curriculum was all about friendship, learning to make friends, and having a positive relationship with them, rarely, any students would come into her office for advice. Even if they did, it was mostly for typical issues like ponies not getting along with groups when it comes to group projects, struggling to study for a test, or ponies cried because they failed an assignment. It was not that she hated her job or anything. The light purple unicorn loved nothing more than to give advice and help students. In fact, the most satisfying situation that Starlight had come across was when a filly pegasus named Cozy Glow came for Starlight's help involving her friends, the Cutie Mark Crusaders: Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Starlight didn’t actually know everything that had happened to The Crusaders, but from what Cozy had told her, she’d learned that those three had wanted so badly to attend the School of Friendship since they saw the fun lessons and activities that the teachers assigned for the students. After they started to get bored going to their classes at the Ponyville Schoolhouse, the fillies were pumped into trying into get into the School of Friendship. However, the fillies weren’t allowed to get enrolled since they had already mastered the curriculum of friendship that the school was teaching through experience.

Starlight remembered that Cozy had told her that The Crusaders had tried multiple attempts to get accepted, even going so far as to sneak in the school. To their dismay, their plans had failed, and later they were at their treehouse trying to come up with another scheme. While they were strategizing, they suddenly heard the pegasus crying outside the treehouse window and went to her to see what was wrong. The pegasus introduced herself as Cozy Glow and was attending the School of Friendship, but struggling with the curriculum. The Crusaders decided to help her with her studies since they figured it would the next best thing than attending the school. Cozy did well with the help of The Crusaders, and when she told them that she was having a big test, the fillies did their best to tutor her in hopes that she would pass.

Unfortunately, Cozy told Starlight that she failed the test after all help that The Crusaders offered. What’s even more upsetting from what Starlight heard is that The Crusaders were called into see the school headmaster’s office to discuss their responsible in helping Cozy with the test. It wasn't until later when Cozy sought Starlight’s help and she discovered that she had failed the test on purpose. Cozy figured that if she proved that The Crusaders did indeed know little about the curriculum then maybe they would have a shot of being enrolled into the school. However, Cozy only ended up getting them in trouble and the school’s headmaster, Twilight Sparkle, had banned them from entering school grounds. It was thanks to Starlight that the filly was able to admit her guilt and help The Crusaders to become official School of Friendship instructors.

Since then, Starlight wished that more students like Cozy would stop by her office like they do their classrooms. Sometimes, she envied her friends who were teachers because they were able to teach fun lessons and do productive activities in their classrooms. The only thing the unicorn go to do that was productive was organize books, make delicious hot chocolate whenever she was thirsty, and stare at the clock that was above her door slowly ticking its hands to the time.

As she took a sip of her cocoa, Starlight could feel herself getting sleepy. After all, she had about five mugs worth of the warm sugary drink was and it was taking effect. Just as the unicorn was about to enter Sleeping Beauty mode, she heard a knock at her door. "Oh! I'm coming!" she shouted, setting her mug down and started to get up from her desk. Starlight trotted towards the door and used the light-green magic from her horn to twist the knob and swing the door open. To her surprise a female unicorn stood before her. The filly had light-pink fur with a fuchsia and light-blue cotton candy cutie-mark on both sides of her flanks. Her mane and tail were curly like Rarity's (one of Starlight’s friend) but shorter and was yellow-orange, baby blue, and hot pink.

"Hello? Are you Starlight, the guidance counselor?" she asked curiously.

"Why, yes! Can I help you with something?" Starlight asked.

"Yes! My name is Sweetie Swirl and I was hoping to seek your help on a problem," she explained.

Starlight's lavender eyes twinkled with joy. Finally! Another student who is willing to look for her advice. "Sure! Come in and have a seat," Starlight said, gesturing the unicorn inside. Sweetie Swirl trotted in to the counselor's office and took a seat on a chair in front of the desk. Before Starlight could take her seat, she wanted to make sure the unicorn was comfortable. "Can I offer you some hot chocolate," Starlight offered pointing her hoof to a small wooden table where a box of cocoa packets, two white ceramic mugs and an enchanted heat thermos bottle filled with water was placed.

"No thanks! I just drank a can of fruit punch on the way here," Sweetie declined.

"Okay, so tell me about your problem," Starlight asked as she took a seat at her desk.

"Well, it's about my future. You see, ever since I was little, I've always wanted to own a cotton candy shop. I learned how to make the sugar floss from my grandmare and inherited all her recipes," Sweetie explained.

Starlight felt a bit confused. She thought the unicorn came into her office for advice. "Well, it sounds like you have your future all planned out," Starlight said.

"I do! It's just that my folks are keeping me from my future," Sweetie said with a disappointing tone.

"Really? Why is that?" Starlight asked taking a sip of her cocoa.

"Well, I come from generations of dentists. My folks are both licensed orthodontists and own an office in Manehatten. They are firm believers about not eating sweets. When I told them that I wanted to own a cotton candy shop, they were not happy. They figured that I was going to follow in their hoof-steps and become a dentist," Sweetie explained.

"I'm going to guess that you don’t want to," Starlight said.

"No! That's not my passion! And besides I'm weary of dental tools," Sweetie replied before continuing. "However, I don't want to disappoint my folks by following my dream, which is why I need your advice on what to do."

Starlight hadn’t been through this type of situation, but could sympathize with her predicament and had a friend who could relate to Sweetie’s situation. A few years ago, the light purple unicorn was on her way to her hometown, Sire's Hollow, to visit her father, Firelight. Her friend, Sunburst, was joining her on the journey, as he was going to their hometown, as well, to visit his mother, Stellar Flare. Neither of them were keen on the trip since their parents were hard to deal with and their return home was making them more uncomfortable. Starlight had to deal with her over-affectionate father who had been still living in a fantasy of her still treated her like a filly when clearly she was a grown mare. Sunburst had to deal with his domineering mother who constantly bombarded him with plans that she believed would give him a chance of a future. As much as Sunburst tried to tell his mother, Stellar, that he didn't need a plan and that he can figure out his future for himself, she still continued to annoy him and persuade him that her plans were what he needed. In the end, Sunburst had just about enough of her overbearing attitude and told her that he didn't need her plans to have a future. This forced Stellar to apologize for her behavior and agree to give him the independence he deserved.

Starlight knew that when it came to a mare's or a stallion's future, parents have to let their children choose a future that they want, instead a future that they’ve planned for them. Sweetie Swirl, just like her friend, Sunburst, needed to find way to explain to her parents that she didn't want to join the family business and become a dentist, but instead, wanted to pursue her own career as a business owner of a cotton candy shop. "Sweetie, I understand that your parents are important to, but you got to do what you feel is right. If you feel like owning a cotton candy shop is what you want to do then do it," Starlight said with enthusiastic tone in her voice.

Sweetie Swirl felt a ray of enlightenment by the consoler’s words. She was almost tempted to thank Starlight for her suggestion. However, a seed of doubt began to sprout in her mind like a weed. "I appreciate your advice and it wouldn't hurt to follow my dream. But what about my folks? Even if I do go with my career, they're still going to give me their reasons of why cotton candy is bad and why dentistry is good," Sweetie said feeling uneasy.

"Then why not give them your reasons," Starlight replied. Sweetie didn't know where the counselor was going with this.

"What do you mean?" she asked, wondering what the light purple was planning.

"Well, do you know about the official School of Friendship’s Funthusiastic Fair that's coming up in three months?" Starlight asked.

"Of course! I've seen Professor Pinkie Pie post flyers about it on campus and around Ponyville," Sweetie answered.

"Why not use all of this month and the next two months to plan, design, and create a cotton candy booth for the fair. You can use it to sell your custom sugar floss to students and ponies who come to your booth and even invite your folks over to see it," Starlight explained.

Sweetie continued not to grasp what the counselor was saying to her. She wondered if Starlight, was even listening to her predicament at all. “I don’t see how this going to help me?” she asked.

“Let me ask you something, why do you want to own a cotton candy shop? I know there is got to be another reason other than it being your passion and talent,” Starlight persuaded.

Sweetie thought about it for a moment. She knew that making cotton candy was her passion and special talent. Heck! She’d even got her cutie mark for mastering the art of making cotton candy. When her grandmare, a retired dentist that taught her how to make the sugar floss was alive, Sweetie would always enjoy watching the old mare making it and that is when she remembered, that is when it all started to click in her mind. Her grandmare whenever, she would make cotton candy for Sweetie, a smile would appear on her face as she watched her grandfilly happily eat and enjoy the treat. Sweetie didn’t want to make cotton candy and own a shop just because it was her passion and talent. She wanted to make it for the same reason her grandmare did. Sweetie wanted to see the smiles on ponies’ faces when they received her delicious sugar floss.

She felt confident now and told Starlight her reason “For the happiness. I want to make cotton candy because it make ponies happy when they receive them.”

“That’s good! And you need to show your folks that reason! Cotton candy may be bad and there is a downside to it, but for every rain cloud there is always a rainbow waiting to shine behind it. You need to show your parents that rainbow,” Starlight said with encouragement.

Sweetie started to weigh her options of Starlight’s word for a moment. On one hoof she wanted nothing more than to take the counselor’s advice and participate in the school’s fair. This could be her chance on proving to her parents that her passion is not as bad as think. On the hoof if Sweetie was willing to take that risk. Then she would have to deal with the consequences of what her parents might do. However, maybe this was worth the risk. Maybe just maybe, taking that leap would be what Sweetie has to do.

“You know what? You’re right! Selling my cotton candy at the fair may just be a good idea! I’ll get to work on a blue print for my stand after school,” Sweetie said.

“Great!” Starlight shouted feeling happy that the student was taking her advice. Before Sweetie could say anything else started to look at the clock. She was shocked to see that it was almost three.

“Oh gosh! I’d better get back to class! I told professor Twilight that I went to bathroom and she’ll blow a fuse if she finds me returning to class before the bells rings for lunch,” Sweetie said.

“Wait? You lied to a professor just so you could see me?” Starlight asked.

“Well, this problem was really bothering to the point where I couldn’t concentrate in class. I really needed to talk to some-pony about it,” Sweetie explained.

Starlight was a bit disappointed that Sweetie had lied to a professor about where she was going. Sweetie could’ve gotten into trouble for misleading a teacher and sneaking around the campus just to see her. Yet, she figured she would let it slide since the unicorn was dealing with a dilemma.

“Look Sweetie, I appreciate that you were able to come to me for advice when it came to your problem. Nonetheless! You shouldn’t lie to a professor just to seek help, understood,” Starlight asked.

“Okay,” Sweetie replied.

Starlight smirked. “Now hurry back to class, before you get caught,” she commanded.

Getting up from the chair, Sweetie trotted towards the door. Before she was about to leave. The unicorn looked back at Starlight with a smile. “Thank you, Starlight. I’m grateful that I was able to come for you for advice,” she said before using her turquoise magic to open the door, let herself out, and closed the door behind her.

After Sweetie was gone, Starlight took another sip of her cocoa, which was to the point semi-cold. She didn’t care though. The unicorn was just overjoyed that she was willing to aid a student with her words of guidance. It was days like these when the unicorn was reminded by a saying from her friend, Twilight, when she helped Cozy Glow and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “And that’s why this school needs you as our guidance counselor.”

Two and half months later the School of Friendship Funthusiastic Fair took place in front of the building. Booths upon booths that were created by students were placed side by side and across from each other. They ranged from the Test Your Strength booth that was created by Yona the yak to the Seaequestria Water Toss by Silverstream the hippogriff. Parents of the students and citizens from Ponyville and some parts of Equestria all came to the fair to participate at the booths and having a great time. Even the teachers were taking part in the fair, including Professor Applejack and Rainbow Dash who were competing and fighting over who won the most games at the booths. Starlight who just observing the fair was admiring the designs and hard work that were put into the booths that the students created.

On particular booth that Sweetie Swirl built was a light pink counter with light blue poles sticking out side by side. Right on top of those poles was a sign that was light pink and blue stripped with cursive letters that said “Cotton Candy! 3 bits each.” Trotting over to the unicorn’s booth Starlight decided to go over to Sweetie Swirl to see how she was doing. “Hey Starlight!” Sweetie shouted as she noticed the light purple unicorn coming towards her booth.

“Hey Sweetie! How’s your booth coming? Is your cotton candy selling?” Starlight asked curiously.

“Yeah! My sugar floss is a hit with ponies. By the time the fair is over, I’ll have enough bits to get my shop started,” Sweetie replied pointing her hoof at the sack of gold coins that was sitting across from the cotton candy machine.

“Are your parents coming to your booth soon?” Starlight asked looking around the fair to see if the unicorn’s parents were near.

“Not yet, but they are coming in a few minutes,” Sweetie answered.

“Oh? So, when you do see your parents and they come over to your booth. Are you prepared to deal with them?” Starlight asked feeling a bit concerned.

“Yeah, as soon as they come by my booth and try to give me reasons about my cotton candy then I’ll give them my reasons to confront theirs,” Sweetie replied.

“Okay, I wish you the best,” Starlight replied.

“Thanks! And if that doesn’t work, then I’ll have to use my secret weapon,” Sweetie said as she used her turquoise magic to levitate an aqua colored toothbrush from under the booth.

Starlight was confused. How was a toothbrush a secret weapon? “I guess you’re wondering why I have this. Well after I left your office, I got to thinking. What better way to impress my parents than to promote hygiene by selling my cotton candy with a free toothbrush. That way I can show ponies, especially the little fillies and colts that sweets are good, but making sure your teeth are well condition is important. I have more of these with all different colors,” Sweetie explained.

Starlight was shocked about Sweetie’s plan because it was genius. It was the type of plan that Twilight could come up with. “That’s a good idea! Glad you got this all figured out,” she said impressed.

“Thank you! Well I better get back to work! There are ponies coming to my booth, including professor Pinkie Pie coming over for her tenth helping,” Sweetie chuckled.

Starlight laughed as well. It was for that party pony to get more than one serving when it comes to sweets. It was almost as if she had a black hole for a stomach.

“Okay! I’ll leave you to it,” Starlight said as trotted off from Sweetie’s booth. She smiled in delight as she was able to help another student with her advice.

THE END