Alright, it's been longer than I hoped due to I screwed up uploading last time but I think I got it sorted out now. So! Here's chapter 2 with all its wonder. This is a bit of a calmer, introduction chapter, but you get the idea. Please read and review! I have 6 chapters done and the only thing between you and the next chapter is a review or two. So please, hints, tips, help, anything is appreciated!
"Woah..." Estrella breathed as they came to the giant marbled castle, which seemed to shimmer in the afternoon sunlight. Tall peaks glinted the sun's rays, making them look like beacons of hope, thought they also appeared cold like the stone it was made of.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Rarity said, once more calm but it was a tense calm of trying not to become overly excited. "There's a few small things I would do to make it truly spectacular, but it's honestly amazing already! I just love coming here and seeing the princesses, they're always so regal and beautiful, but they're always willing to talk to us normal ponies! Er, normal being a relative term." Rarity giggled as her horn lit up as if to show off a little. "She'll talk to anyone and I just love her generosity! She's kind beyond measure!" Rarity sighed a bit then as her magic faded away, but soon perked up. "Well, here we are then!"
As they came to the front doors, even without Rarity saying anything, two guards opened up the massive gates for them. Rarity trotted inside, Estrella following behind a bit slower as she looked around at everything. There were marble towers, ponies milling about, brilliantly decorated sashes on the walls and beautiful painted glass windows that stretched high up the walls, depicting worlds of the past and many epic moments in history. Estrella couldn't help looking at them all and taking it in, though her attention soon became a little too focused on what was around her, rather than right in front of her. She ended up crashing into Rarity, who had stopped by another set of massive doors and guards. She looked back at Estrella, who returned a sheepish smile and a quick apology. Rarity smiled back at her and said, "No worries dearie, I know what it can be like when first coming to a magnificent palace like this. I actually did the same thing when Twilight brought us all here. She wasn't quite so understanding then, but then again, we were trying to save the world back then." With a shrug, Rarity seemed to just blow off the major memo Estrella hadn't caught quite yet and turned to the guards, saying, "We're here to see Celestia, she sent for us."
The guards looked at each other and then nodded. The two then opened the doors for Rarity and Estrella, revealing yet another room, though this one was empty other than two ponies at the far end of a long walkway. Rarity walked in with a more regal movement to her step while Estrella followed shyly after, her neck bent and head down as they walked down the long corridor. The two ahead of them appeared to be talking, but Estrella couldn't make out anything they were saying from this far away. As they got closer, she started making out words here and there, along with descriptions of the ponies.
"...and then he stopped, just like that." The purple unicorn said, recounting the end of her tale.
The much taller winged unicorn tilted her beautifully white head, making her delicate flowing rainbow mane dance in some unfelt wind and her horn shimmered a little in the light coming in from the panned glass windows. "It's strange indeed... I may have to look into this more, but for now, be glad he... somewhat listened to you and your friends."
"Thank you, Celestia." Twilight said as she noticed the new arrivals within the room. She then stepped to the side, letting them come forward to speak with Celestia, but not without noticing the newcomer.
Rarity stepped forward and spoke up the moment she got a chance. "Princess, I brought your guest, just like you asked. You were right about the cloak, though the colors certainly don't match for her. They work on you, but you see what I mean."
Celestia laughed softly and said, "Thank you Rarity. I'll keep that in mind next time I have a visitor. And thank you for showing her here. Estrella?"
Estrella couldn't help a small shiver as Celestia's gaze fell on her. Though it was warm and welcoming, it was still a princess before her. Estrella took a few tentative steps forward to the spot Rarity had occupied a moment ago, but had left to go stand by the purple unicorn. "Yes, Princess?"
"Please, Celestia is just fine." Celestia returned with a bright smile. "I trust you had an easy time getting here?"
"Y-yes, the train ride was smoother than I thought it'd be and Rarity's a very good guide." Estrella replied a bit hastily. In her mind, she felt niceness was only a front for when something was wanted, but what could a princess want from her? Her thoughts were stalled as Celestia spoke again.
"Wonderful. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. And Estrella, you really don't have to be nervous around me. I'm not going to hurt you or ask something of you that you don't want to do."
Estrella looked up at Celestial, this time, getting a closer look at her kind, truthful eyes. There was a moment of stillness between them in which Estrella felt some of her worry just melting away and a small bond of trust beginning to form. She even offered a small smile back. "I know. I'm not used to not having to worry about everything yet, I guess."
"Not to worry. With any luck, you'll settle in soon and it'll be like you've always been a part of Ponyville, if you choose to stay, that is."
"Thank you, Prin- er, Celestia."
"You are welcome. And don't worry about the matter we spoke about in our last correspondence. It's being cleared up as we speak."
Estrella went a little pale for a moment, then took a deep breath to regain herself. "Th-thanks, Celestia. That means a lot to me. And everything. You're doing so much for me and you don't really even know me."
"I don't need to." Celestia said as she stood and stepped closer to Estrella until they were close enough to look like a pair of old friends. "You have a good heart, Estrella. I'm sure that with a little time and some new friends, you'll be just fine. And speaking of new friends..." Her smile turned a bit too sweet as she looked at Twilight and Rarity, who had been listening and now had a million questions, but both stood taller as Celestia looked at them. "...Would you two be kind enough to help her get settled into Ponyville and make a few friends to get her started? I know how great you are at that."
"Of course Celestia!" Twilight responded as soon as she unfroze from trying to look like she hadn't been listening.
"Thank you Twilight. I'll be sure to check on Discord. Estrella, do you know how to get to your new home?"
"I think so, Prin-Celestia. Sorry." she muttered the last bit for her slip up once more.
"Quite alright, I understand. If you need help, it's not far from Twilight's home. It's the new house that just went up."
"The one they put in one of the hollow trees like mine?" Twilight asked, referring to her library home in a tree.
"Yes. Help Estrella there if she needs it please."
"Sure thing Celestia. Is that everything?"
"I believe so. Is there anything else you have to report?"
"Um, Celestia?" Estrella called softly as she started to undo her cloak. "Here's your cloak back, thank you for letting me use it."
"Glad you enjoyed it." Celestia said as her horn glowed and she took the cloak in her magic. It was then folded and set on the arm of her chair to be put away later, but neither of the unicorns in the room were paying any mind. Instead, they found themselves staring at Estrella's cutie mark, which depicted what looked like a pale yellow, unmarked, faceless pony with a white mane and tail similar to Celestia's falling, shown by white slashes underneath that looked like speed lines. Their moment of staring was cut short and they were brought back to reality as Celestia spoke once more. "I look forward to seeing you again, and feel free to stop by if you find you need something or just someone to talk to, alright?"
Estrella nodded, feeling a bit more relieved now that she had returned the cloak. She looked at the other two in the room, Twilight and Rarity, and started towards them to greet and head out, but was stopped one final time by Celestia, who leaned down and whispered in her ear, "And don't worry. Twilight's group of friends are safe, but you only have to reveal as much as you want to. It's your past and your choice what to do with it."
Estrella shivered softly as if she had become a part of some promise she didn't want to be in relation with, but shook it off as she nodded to Celestia and said, "I understand. Thank you." before she went to tentatively join Rarity and Twilight. She offered a smile at them, attempting to be friendly, and they smiled back at her. Without saying much, the three of them turned in unison and headed down through the large hallway. With Rarity on her left and Twilight on her right, Estrella felt a little boxed in, but in a good way, almost like some sort of protective shield. While they were walking, Estrella looked back to Celestia, who gave her a hoof-wave, and Estrella returned a smile. Soon, the three of them exited the corridor and the minute the door closed behind them, Rarity and Twilight both gave huge sighs of relief.
"Man, I always feel like I'm being tested when I go in there!" Twilight said.
"Probably because you're always taking a test of some sort with her. I, on the other hand, feel like I am sitting with my role model, but next to her I really have to shine to be given even the tiniest hint of notice by others!"
Estrella quickly looked between the two unicorns, confused. "You two seemed so calm in there. Why such the change?"
"It's just what we've gotten used to." Twilight explained. "She's my teacher, so I do often take tests with her, but I look up to her so I feel like every day is a test."
"Teacher?" Estrella asked as she tilted her head. "You mean she is actually teaching you-"
"Everything there is to know about magic, yup!" Twilight finished for her. "And I'm learning the magic of friendship along the way."
"That's where we come in." Rarity interjected. "I and four others consist of her main friend group and together, we all learn the magic of friendship."
"Sounds... cliche." Estrella said. Twilight and Rarity both shared a look, then started laughing.
Once they settled down, Rarity cleared her throat and said, "Yes, I suppose it does, but it's real. It's gotten us out of more scraps than I can count!"
"Let's see, there was-"
"Don't even start Twilight. That was a rhetorical statement."
Twilight paused a moment, then gave a sheepish smile. "Oh... Well, guess I'm still learning some stuff. Speaking of learning, who's your friend?"
Rarity perked up at that and laid a hoof on Estrella's shoulder before saying in a sweet voice, "This here is Estrella! She just came to Ponyville today and from what I gather from in there, by Celestia's power too! Oh, and this is Twilight Sparkle, by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Twilight. All I did was ride the train though." Estrella said nervously.
"Not many ponies have Celestia send someone to meet them and then get to meet with her directly! I know that at least this is my first time getting to do such a thing for her."
"Really? So why'd you come to Ponyville, Estrella?" Twilight asked.
"Um, well first off my name's actually Little Star. I just prefer Estrella. As for coming here, I uh..." Estrella paused a moment as her mind immediately tried to come up with a lie out of old habit, but Celestia's words rang in her head. She could trust these ponies. But still, how much was she willing to give? After a moment of debate, she returned with what she felt was a 'safe' statement. "I used to live in not such a great place. I sent Celestia a letter once, never thinking it would actually get to her, and had asked what it was like being around ponies who cared about her. I was shocked to say the least when she not only returned my letter, but offered to pay for me to come here and spend at least a year here."
"Wow, talk about a lucky break! And a whole year at that too! Its actually a little like my story, except for she brought me here to be her student rather than to get me away from a bad situation." Twilight said a moment before her curiosity had her start spitting out one question after another. "What kind of place was it you came from? What happened there that was so bad you had to leave? What was the thing Celestia's clearing up for you? And mmf-" Twilight's string of questions was broken off by Rarity's hoof in her mouth, effectively muffling anything she was saying. "Slow down Twilight, even I couldn't follow that! One at a time." Rarity then removed her hoof from her friend's mouth, though she shook it, a momentary expression of disgust crossing her features and she shook it to rid herself of the slobber. Twilight wiped her mouth on her hoof before saying, "Right. So, did you catch any of that, Estrella?"
"If you don't mind her asking." Rarity added in. "We get it if you'd rather not share. I'm sure after whatever you went through, it'll take sometime before you're ready to talk about it."
"Um, yeah." Estrella said. She had caught most of it, but each one just made her want to shut down. "I'd rather not answer though. Sorry."
"No worries dearie!" Rarity said, though she sent a glare Twilight's way.
Twilight's disappointment quickly turned to a faked smile. She understood, but still wished she could have learned more of this land she didn't know of yet. "Yeah, it's perfectly alright. We get it. Even if you never want to talk about it, but if you ever do, we'll be here for you."
Estrella blinked a few times before letting out a small sigh of relief. "Thank you for understanding. I've... never had that before."
"Really? That's absurd!" Twilight twirled her hoof around like she was trying to think of some specific number. "Everyone has understanding, but there are very few ponies who don't use it and to have several all in one place-"
"What Twilight is trying to say is that she's glad you're out of wherever you came from." Rarity interjected once more, simplifying her friend's ramble for Estrella. "Now, how about we go and introduce you to our other friends? Then we can head to your new home and help you get settled in!"
"That sounds wonderful, actually." Estrella smiled at the thought of meeting ponies she could trust and get to know some of the town while they were at it.
"Wonderful! Off we go then! Think Fluttershy's not busy, Twi?"
"It's after feeding time so she should be free." Twilight said as she and Rarity trotted out of the castle, leaving a momentarily frozen Estrella behind. "Feeding time?" she muttered, only loud enough that the others could just barely hear.
"Yeah, Fluttershy takes care of pretty much all the animals around here. She's incredibly sweet and shy though so don't feel bad if she doesn't warm up to you right away." Twilight said over her shoulder before she paused, seeing Estrella stopped, and asked, "Hey, are you alright?"
"Oh. Yeah, yeah I'm fine. I just didn't expect that." Estrella gave a shaky smile and a sigh of relief as the feeding time they mentioned was nothing like the one she knew. She then trotted to catch up with Rarity and Twilight and the three of them talked all the way to their friend Fluttershy's house, telling Estrella stories of different things they had done with Fluttershy, including hilarious and even some of the more embarrassing moments that made Estrella laugh and sometimes go, "Really?" or "Wow!" or use some such other exclamation of surprise. Though she didn't have any stories she wanted to share with them, she couldn't help feeling more relaxed now that they shared a bit of their lives and laughs with her.
All too soon, they were actually at Fluttershy's house, which stopped the conversation for the moment as they trotted up and knocked on the door.
Next chapter will be pretty short. I meant to combine it with this one but it just didn't happen. So, enjoy as is and please review! Chapter 3 has been sitting for weeks now and is more than ready to go!