Not wanting her sister to be her personal escort, or wanting to be nagged about keeping her word, Luna traveled alone to see Rosewell for her second appointment. She wasn't sure what to discuss this time, but she'd taken interest when she spotted an abacus in Rosewell's office closet, and more interest when Rosewell proved she knew how to use it!
"You are the first pony I've met who knows how to use an abacus," Luna told her as they toyed with it for fun. "Even my sister has long forgotten how to use one. I have several more of these than she'd prefer me to have."
"I suppose you're not a fan of calculators?" Rosewell guessed.
"My sister refers to me as a "technophobe", which really makes little sense," Luna scoffed. "I do not fear modern technology. I simply find it backfires in its intended purpose. I attempted to teach a few small friends of mine how to use my abacus, but they quickly resorted to their calculators, ones almost the size of their heads."
"How does that prove technology "backfires in its purpose", as you say?" Rosewell asked. It wasn't a mocking question. It was a genuine one.
"Nice as it may be to have such conveniences, they've prevented many ponies from learning to rely on their minds," Luna explained with an almost nostalgic tone. "My young friends, as much as I adore them, could not figure out simple multiplication without their calculators. Perhaps it's not my place to judge their education, as I am not their teacher, but I am of the opinion some lessons in "mental math", as I hear it called, would do them well."
"That's not a rare opinion, Princess," Rosewell told her. "I've had several patients who'd agree with you."
Luna stopped toying with her abacus and looked directly at Rosewell. "Truly? Celestia tells me new technology is being developed all the time, particularly for earth ponies and pegasi due to their inability to utilize magic. Most recently, I've heard of a technology being developed referred to as..." A groaned shudder came from Luna before she finished her sentence. "...spellphones."
"Those are still controversial. If they ever happen, it'll be a long time from now."
"Yes... That's some solace, I suppose."
It was far too obvious to Rosewell that Luna was itching to say what she really thought of the idea. Having read a few opinions of the unfavorable side of the matter, much of Luna's thoughts probably wouldn't be anything she hadn't heard. Still, as a therapist, it was her patient's feelings that took priority, not the other way around.
"Princess, I know this is only the second time we're meeting, but there's no minimum time required to say what's on your mind."
"I beg your pardon?" Luna questioned.
"If you're not yet comfortable speaking deeply of your opinions with me, that's fine. There's no rush. But whenever you'd like to is up to you. Being able to say what's on your mind in here is the purpose of your visits with me, after all. That's why the rule of confidentiality is strictly followed unless something's urgent."
Luna stayed silent for a few moments, sorting through several thoughts that suddenly began racing through her head. She hadn't intended to make her feelings that obvious. It was more that her thoughts came through her mouth before she could filter them. Maybe this therapy was already taking its effect? The only other pony she had to talk to about such things was Celestia, and while she no doubt loved her sister with every bit of her heart, Celestia didn't always succeed at being as understanding as she thought. She would always try, and Luna appreciated that, but her success at it was occasional. And Luna certainly wasn't going to make her thoughts known to the young fillies or her niece.
She wanted these appointments to feel like nothing more than a casual occasion, no different than meeting with any other pony. But if she was going to be given the chance to say something she'd wanted to for a long while, why not take it? Especially if that was the point?
"As I've read, these so-called "spellphones" would be invented and operate with both technology and unicorn magic," Luna spoke. "They would allow earth ponies, pegasi, and inexperienced unicorns to use spells through technical applications. The idea is hideous! Ponies would see no purpose in truly studying magic when they could simply press a button on a device that could utilize all the spells for them. It's an insult to the experienced unicorns and spell-makers who dedicated their time to truly learning the science of magic. And what of non-magical basic skills, such as writing? Nopony of the upcoming generations would be interested in learning such when they can simply acquire what amounts to little more than a cheat device to do such skills for them. Even unicorns learn some skills without magic. Magic is supposed to aid, not complete. My sister, for example, is a splendid cook, but she only uses magic to do what she couldn't with her hooves. The actual cooking is still done by her. So much technology and more in development has spoiled young ponies and made them forget what they could do if they tried. Do not misunderstand. For the technology that's been created as true improvements to our lives - the kind that has led to better care in hospitals, as one such example - I think is wonderful and would love more of it. But this technology that is only for more convenience. It truly hinders us more than we'd like to admit. Does not mean it isn't innovative in itself, but it'd do no harm for ponies to depend less on it."
Luna concluded her speech, but immediately felt anxiety when Rosewell didn't reply. Perhaps she shouldn't have taken the opportunity Rosewell gave her. She never picked up the art of tact when it came to her strongest feelings on any matter. Granted, that was partially due to dealing with snooty nobility, none of whom would know "tact" if it bit them in their hindquarters.
Then, Rosewell smiled. She seemed to be... amused? Had she not taken Luna seriously?
"I suppose you now see me as a "technophobe" too?" Luna asked, trying to hide the upset she felt.
"Not at all," Rosewell assured her. "That was more detailed than I've ever heard in person, but not unfamiliar. Your opinionated nature is to be admired. I guess I should expect a pony in your position to be skilled at voicing herself."
Luna's jaw dropped. What had Rosewell just said? She just spent several minutes venting about her frustrations with current times and Rosewell saw that as... admirable?! Luna wasn't ungrateful. Simply shocked. And Rosewell saw that shock as plain as day on her face.
"As I said, you are free to say what's on your mind in here," Rosewell reminded her. "Have you noticed I never said if I agree or not? My job is to remain unbiased with my patients. That's one of the ways I try to make them feel comfortable."
"You saw I wanted so much to say that, didn't you?"
"Of course, but I also told you it was okay if you didn't want to. Do you regret getting that off your mind?"
Luna thought for a few moments before answering. "No. No, I don't. Though, I suppose you cannot tell me if you agree or not, can you?"
"I can if you want to debate, but you must tell me that," Rosewell explained. "Otherwise, I'd violate my guidelines, one of which, as I said, is to remain unbiased."
"Then, I will tell you that now!" Luna felt a sudden rush of excitement she rarely did. With little chance to ever say what was truly on her mind, chances to debate outside of political matters were rarer, and even those chances didn't really let her say all she wanted. "I want to know your side!"
"Are you certain?" Rosewell asked, briefly regaining a stoic demeanor.
"Certain!" Luna mockingly cleared her throat. "By order of Princess Luna of the Night and Moon, tell me your thoughts on the matter of our times' technology!"
Rosewell stifled a small laugh. "Yes, Your Highness."
Luna returned from her appointment feeling better than she expected. She had planned to keep it casual and not give a hint of what was on her mind, but Rosewell opened it up with something as simple as an abacus. She already decided she'd bring one of the many she had to her next appointment.
Luna was so in thought about how the appointment had gone, she didn't notice she walked right past her sister, who returned to the castle merely seconds before she did.
"How'd your appointment go, Sister?" Celestia asked, snapping Luna out of her thoughts.
"It was..."
Before Luna finished, she considered if she should really be truthful. If she was, she'd give Celestia the satisfaction of having been "right", which she was unsure she wanted to do right now. Granted, she had only agreed in the first place to make Celestia happy, but an "I'm glad she's alright" kind of happy, not "I was right" happy.
Luna dulled her facial expression. "It was fine, Sister. Rosewell is nice."
To Luna's surprise, Celestia looked relieved. "Good. I was worried when I didn't see you when it was time for it. I thought you might've run off to avoid me."
"Sister, we are both too old for running away from home. Furthermore, I do not need you to be my personal escort. Once was enough."
"Says the pony who tried to hide she started a stove fire. Twice!"
"Not all skills come the same to all ponies."
"That's true, but you burned water!"
"One cannot burn water. I evaporated it."
"Luna, you burned it."
"Tell yourself what you must. I shall be in my bed chambers."
"Do the same," Celestia murmured in amusement, rolling her eyes as she also walked away.
