I. Prolegomena

Dearest Twilight,

Greetings, my faithful student. I do hope this letter finds you well. How are things in Ponyville? How has Pinkie Pie’s son liked his Wonderbolt’s paraphernalia? Young pegasi do love the fastest and the bravest!

It has been a while since you wrote, but I’ve been busy myself. The diplomatic calendar tends to fill up, even when there aren’t any crises. One might think it all harmless, but they’re all nipping at Luna and my heels, really. At least there’s peace left somewhere! Like Ponyville. I envy you your rustic escape, my student. I, too, had a (relatively) quiet retreat long ago when the throne was still in Everfree.

Luna has been teaching once-a-month classes if you can believe it. Stargazing, in fact. The students at my school are loving it, and her classes are quite well attended. Do you remember our astronomy lessons? I could never hope to match my sister’s grasp of the night sky’s lore, but I tried. Those are some of the best memories I have of when you were young.

I know I’m rambling. I hope you do not mind.

To be honest, Twilight, I’ve not been sleeping well.

I had hoped to ease into this. Come to it from the side with some subtlety. How is the weather? How are your friends? Is everyone well? But the truth is that I don’t want to be worrying about this later. Does everything feel right to you?

I think I may be overworked, Twilight. That is the easiest answer. Weariness—yes, Luna and I can grow weary from time to time. I would suggest something wrong with the food, but my cook is a prideful stallion, and I am immune to both poison and foodborne illness. It is probably just nerves from the warmongering in the East. You know, the Griffons. They’re always up to something, Twilight. Killing each other like foals play—with reckless, joyful, mindless abandon. They do love their explosives.

So does it all feel normal? Though, to be honest, isn’t that a rotten question? What is normal, after all, is quite dependant on the time and place and pony. I would know.

Please don’t be alarmed. (Though I expect you will be.) I’m not suggesting anything sinister! I’m simply… puzzled by my own feelings.

Your Teacher and Friend,

Celestia Songborne