> Yours Faithfully > by xxgubgubxx > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Letter One - Celestia > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Eclipsa, It was wonderful to meet you this week for our first magic lesson! It has been quite a long time since I have taken on a personal student, outside of the School of Magic. I believe Twilight Sparkle was the last, if memory serves me well. Now! If you will humor me, I would like to get to know you more, on a personal level, to better understand your struggles with magic, and to perhaps find the source, should there be one. Please do not feel obligated to reply straight away however! Take your time, and reflect on our lessons. They will be the key to moving forward.  Now, I believe I have rambled on long enough! I look forward to our continued correspondence! With utmost regards,  Princess Celestia > Letter One - Eclipsa > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Princess Celestia, It has been a couple of days since I have received your scroll , and I must say- it was certainly a shock to find your phoenix at my window, holding in her beak, parchment of all things! One would think a bird birthed from fire would burn parchment, no? However, I am ecstatic to report-  your letter came to me safe and sound, no scorch marks to be seen! I’m relieved to hear that you enjoyed our first lesson together! Admittedly, I was quite nervous. I’ve never met such an important equestrian figure, let alone the princess of Equestria herself!! I hope I wasn't too over prepared- Twilight had helped me the night before in gathering some supplies- inkwells, fresh scrolls of parchment, quills, and, per my request, colored ink!! My saddle was stuffed to the brim, and safe to say- i shall start packing lightly from now on!  Now, you wished to learn more about me? Well, i suppose to start- despite my lack of any proper magical capabilities, and aside from the bare basics of levitation and light producing spells, my talents lie in Astronomy and Astrology! Gazing into the stars to study their connections with one another, , and the effects the moon has on Equestria have  always fascinated me. My favorite activity  as a filly was to see you raise the moon every night. I would rush to our garden with my telescope and watch as the skies transitioned from evening into night- it was always a sight to behold! That's actually how i earned my cutie mark! I performed, for the first and last time, a spell that cast a shadow over the moon. Everypony was asleep, of course, so only i witnessed my success. It's been one of my dreams to re-created that spell, but sadly- no luck yet. I hope, further into our lessons, to achieve this dream! I look forward to seeing you next week for our next lesson! Yours faithfully, Eclipsa  > Letter Two - Celestia > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Eclipsa, Our second lesson has just ended, and I find myself more and more fascinated with your mannerisms. The way you take in information, and how you translate that into your own, specifically. You seem a rather quick learner while in a solo setting, going off of what Twilight has informed me of.  She has briefed me on your education, which I hope you do not mind. I’m sorry- that you did not get the help you needed. It is a terrible thing to go through on your own. But we’re here now! And I promise you, Eclipsa, that I will do everything in my power to get you where you need. You shared a bit of yourself, so I believe it is only fair I do the same! Where to begin…well, I have quite the sweet tooth! Whenever i am summoned to Ponyville for duties, I always stop at Sugarcube Corner for one of Mrs. Cake’s delicious pastries. My favorite, in particular, is the Peach Tart! I also adore birds! I have a whole aviary in the castle gardens dedicated to endangered species! Philomena was the first addition, gifted to me by my mentor, Starswirl the Bearded. It has been well over a thousand years since my mentor has passed, and yet I miss him more as each moon passes…. One more note, before I send this off! What are your thoughts on our most recent lesson? We discussed how not only can unicorns possess magic, but earth ponies and pegasi as well! How do you think it presents in each of them? You don’t have to tell me here- think about it, do your research, and write it down in your notes. Until our next lesson, Princess Celestia > Letter Two - Eclipsa > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Princess Celestia, I never thought someone so...regal and serious would have such a sweet tooth! Mrs. Cake is such a darling  mare, and her baked goods are some of the best in Equestria! My personal favorite is the Elderberry Tart. Two weeks ago you had asked my thoughts on earth pony and pegasi magic. After some contemplation, and research (I have asked Applejack and Rainbow Dash specifically for my studies), I have come to one conclusion. Their magic is the same as unicorn magic. That is to say, however, they wield it differently. Earth ponies use magic through their hooves, tending to the earth, their crops, etc. It gives them strength. For pegasi, it allows them to walk among the clouds, to touch them as though they were physical objects. They can control the weather with a kick of their hooves. It gives them a strong will.  What I don't understand, however, is how to incorporate this knowledge into my own usage of magic. Over the last month I have improved, yes, now being able to lift larger objects, conjure brighter lights, and I am newly able to conjure small objects using alchemy. I know I have improved, but it certainly does not feel like it.  You will be glad to know, however, that Twilight has introduced me to a new friend! Her name is Orange Citrus, a pegasus from Cloudsdale. She's a very calm and collected mare, but rather sweet too! It has been a long time since I’ve had a friend, and part of me is scared that I will somehow screw it up. If you have any advice on that, I would much appreciate it. Your faithful student, Eclipsa Star > Letter Three - Celestia > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Dearest Eclipsa, I first must say- you are a silly pony indeed! Your first friendship, and already you are anticipating its downfall at your hooves. My dearest student- you must have more faith in yourself! Secondly, you are doing wonderfully in your lessons, and have nothing to worry about. Not every unicorn is born with natural magical abilities. My own mentor, Starswirl the Bearded, could hardly lift a quill when he was a colt, and worked hard day and night to get where he was in life. And look at him now! One of Equestria’s greatest wizards, even in death! Do not fret, my student- I have faith you will achieve greatness, even if it takes time. My question for you is this- what happened during your foalhood that made you so fearful and distant of others? If you are alright  answering, please, let us discuss this during our next lesson. I may be an immortal princess, but I also was a normal pony once. I have had many friends in my lifetime, and perhaps I can help you. I look forward to our next lesson, Princess Celestia > Letter Three - Eclipsa > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dearest teacher, You flatter me with your praise! Yes- I have made good progress, please ignore my self doubts. I'm still working on that. And for the record, I think it's perfectly reasonable to be worried about a new friendship going wrong! What if Citrus ends up being the worst pony ever! Or what if she has to move back to Cloudsdale, and we can no longer correspond! Or! Maybe I become the worst pony imaginable! All perfectly reasonable worries, in my humble opinion! Now, this coming week will be our fourth lesson together. One whole month! While I trust you, at least, mostly, I have yet to even tell princess Twilight of my foalhood. I will say, to hopefully ease your worries, that my parents and immediate family treated me with nothing but love and care. But when the time comes, I promise I will tell you everything. But for now, I must insist that we focus on my lessons. Your faithful student, Eclipsa PS, i am astounded every time just how quickly you are able to send your letters! I presume Philomena has done this before? > Letter Four - Celestia > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My dearest student,  I must first apologize to you. This year has been full of meetings with several leaders from around Equestria, Flurry Heart’s birthday is being held here in Canterlot and my niece has been frantically preparing much too early, our lessons have increased to twice a week which leaves me with more lesson planning, and of course, my normal duties as princess. I am sorry I haven’t written the last few months. We may see each other now twice a week, but our days are full of your lessons, which hardly leaves time for small talk!  So, in your next letter to me, fill me in on what events are happening in Ponyville. I know you are keeping up with your studies and your star charts, but what of your free time? How is your friend Orange Citrus doing?  More importantly, however, is how are you doing? Twilight has informed me that your medication dosage has gone up, and that worries me, Eclipsa. Please, if there is anything I can do to help you, do not be afraid to reach out. Your faithful teacher, Celestia