Archmage: Square One

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Chapter 2: Baby Steps.

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“Focus, Star.” Twilight’s voice penetrated through my senses, smashing what hopes I had of focusing. The feather I was attempting to levitate promptly fell back to the table. I sighed and let the magic leave my horn and the regular glow of the few dozen candles returned to the library.

“I can’t focus.” I shook my head in defeat, even as Twilight laid her hoof on my back.

“Sure you can. Your focus is just easily interrupted. There’s a difference between not focusing and not focusing well. Tell me, Star, how often have you been reading only to find yourself, I don’t know, under your favorite tree, or in some other secluded place?”

“Uuh, that actually happens quite often.” I admitted with a blush. “Bookend hates me for it.”

“Bookend doesn’t hate you for anything.” Twilight chuckled, crossing the distance to the table with the feather. She smoothly swept it aside and hovered a thick ball of granite onto the table, plopping it down with an audible *thunk*. “Let’s try this.”

“Okay…” I eyed the heavy-looking ball suspiciously. Twilight stepped aside, smiling warmly at me. She was always smiling. Then again, knowing the amount of power she commanded, I’d be terrified out of my coat if she did anything else. I closed my eyes and felt for the ball. My horn began to glow as I wrapped my magic around it, testing for weight. As soon as I applied the littlest bit of pressure, Twilight gasped.

“Woah!”

“What?” I opened my eyes again, and the ball was right in front of my face. If I weren’t already white, I’d have gone pale. Twilight’s lavender magic enveloped the granite ball, stopping it a half an inch from my nose. My eyes went wide and my heart started beating fast enough to make the fastest pegasus in Equestria jealous. “F-fuck me.”

“Yeah.” Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. “My sentiments exactly… You’re okay? Did it hit you?”

“Just my pride.” I side-stepped the ball and let my magic die down. Twilight gingerly set the ball back on the table and let out a breath she didn’t seem to know she was holding. I plopped on my haunches and set a hoof on my breast, feeling my throbbing heart begin to slow down.

“You mustn’t be discouraged, Star.” Twilight crossed over to me, laying a hoof on my back. “Though you may want to keep your eyes open next time.”

“Right.” I frowned even more intently at the ball. It wouldn’t have been the first time I’d hurt myself with magic, but it very well might have been my last. The thing was heavy. Or, at least I guessed it was heavy. I couldn’t quite tell, considering I had barely put any effort into lifting it, and the next thing I knew the damn thing almost beamed me in the face.

“Let’s try again, alright? Just take it easy this time.”

“Right. Nice and easy. Don’t even think about it, right?”

“Right. Just act natural. You just feel for the ball and lift it-“

*crash*

“Right into the ceiling.” Twilight and I both looked up at the gaping hole in the ceiling, where the granite ball had just rocketed through. I let my horn die down, and the ball fell straight back through the hole, where Twilight smartly caught it.

“Well, I think that’s enough for today.” Twilight lifted both the ball and the feather, even as the hole began to patch itself bit by bit. I watched as whatever dust had sifted down from the ceiling trickled back up in a reverse motion, going straight back into the joint of the stonework. Twilight’s power always mystified me, and she hardly ever seemed to bat an eyelash at the complex and amazing spells she cast. That was to be expected, of course, but I could still be jealous.

Yeah, yeah, I know, being jealous of a princess is like wishing for a star. It just isn’t going to happen, no matter how hard you flap or how powerful you are. Still, I knew many of the things she did with ease were within the realm of possibility for a unicorn. At least, one who wasn’t a threat to the masonry.

“Let’s take a day to relax, alright? Come back this weekend. I think I’ll have some reading for you to do.”

“Reading is good.” I nodded. I could do books. Heck, I spent all my time with books. I turned to leave, but Twilight shut the door on me.

“One last thing, Star.” She turned to me, staring straight into my eyes. “You’re my student now. I’m going to take an interest in certain aspects of your life, including your welfare. I understand your parents are paying for your home?”

“Eer, yeah.” I blinked in disbelief. How could she have known that? Were there some records somewhere about who I got the monthly shipment of bits from?

“You can write them and tell them to save their money. The crown will pay for your home and your food from here out, including a small budget for entertainment. I will send a delivery to your home tomorrow.”

“Huhwha?” I blinked again, even as my rump dropped straight to the floor. “P-pay for my home… AND my food?”

“Did I stutter?” Twilight winked at me with a warm grin. “I take care of my own, Star. As long as you exhibit progress, or at the very least a desire to progress, I’ll continue to pay for your home. Who knows? If you advance enough, you might even be able to be my aide some day.”

“Y-your aide? I-I couldn’t! I-I’m not nearly strong enough!” I rose to my hooves and advanced towards her, stuttering helplessly. “Th-that’s way too much!” The Archmage’s aide, or the aide to any princess for that matter, had to be a very skilled unicorn. It was a new position, or at least new by Equestrian standards. (Six thousand years is a long time for a kingdom to exist.) The aides had been appointed to help assist the princesses with their daily schedules, though I heard rumor that Princess Twilight’s aide was just a glorified student, one who was sent away to distant lands for extended periods of time to do research or discover new things.

As I was about to voice further concern for my ability to conduct any research, let alone the kind her aide was required to do, Twilight just shrugged and turned to the nearest book case. She withdrew a few tomes and spread them open on the table.

“We’ll just have to see, Star. For now, I’m going to see if I can pinpoint why it is a feather might as well be a mountain, yet you can propel a seventy-five pound granite slab faster than an arrow… I’ll see you this weekend, alright?”

“O-okay…” Twilight immediately began scanning the books, leaving me standing in the relative silence of the library. I awkwardly shuffled my way out, feeling rather downtrodden. I had made a fool of myself in front of the most powerful magician in the world, and what’s worse; I had given her a workload. I felt like such a damn burden. That feeling intensified as I realized I had left all of my reference material and stationery in the library. With a resigned sigh, I turned back to the room I’d just left, cautiously pushing the door open.

“Oh!”

“Hello.”

“Omigawsh!” My hooves shot to my mouth in shock. Twilight and Princess mother-fucking Luna had just been kissing! I had just stumbled upon something shared between two royal members of the crown that ought not to be seen by anypony less than a close, personal friend. Or maybe a marriage counselor. I mean, of course I knew the two were married… They were a paragon of love and triumph, second only to Princess Cadance.

Still, I should never have seen them kissing. I turned tail and ran, making it all of three steps before an iron grip of magic wrapped around me and hauled me back into the library. I gasped as the door slammed shut behind me, locking me in with both princesses.

“I’m sorry!” I squeaked, looking up at them fearfully. “I didn’t mean to just barge in, I forgot my-“

“Books.” Luna hovered my saddlebags forth, already packed with my belongings. She looked down her muzzle at me, her eyes cold and calculating.

“I-I’m sorry, I really am.” I cautiously took my bags, shaking. This was THE Princess Luna! She had been Nightmare Moon long, long ago! All the memories of stories about that dark and mysterious menace to the daylight came back as I stared up at this magnificently threatening being. She was so dark and ephemeral, almost like she didn’t belong on this plane of existence, and as such the laws forbidding such things as murder or mutilation didn’t apply to her.

“Luna, my love,” Twilight interjected, like a ray of light into a dark abyss. “This is Star Caster. My newest student.”

“Oh, so this is the one you’ve been talking about.” The mood shifted like a light switching on. Luna smiled warmly at me, and her threatening presence seemed completely gone, evaporated like a morning mist. I found I could breathe again. “Forgive me, Star – may I call you Star?”

“Y-yeah.” My heart began to slow as I finally got a good, long look at Luna. She was actually smaller than Twilight, but only by a short bit. Her mane wafted about her head mysteriously, and I could pick out the stars and constellations in it. She had a soft, kind face and a ready smile. She was slender and fit and I’d hate to admit, not a bad mare to look at.

“I didn’t mean to frighten you so.” Luna bowed her head at me. Bowed her fucking head at ME! “I’ve had a lot on my mind with the recent threats, and your sudden departure startled me.”

“N-no! Not at all! My mistake, really!” I waved my hooves frantically, my cheeks heating up further still. Bowed her head to me! Luna raised her head once more, smiling down at me.

“Nevertheless, apprehending you like that was a mistake. I hope you’ll forgive me for acting so suddenly.”

“Forgiven!” I blurted out. Not that I wouldn’t forgive her, she was fucking beautiful! I had more than one reason to be envious of Twilight now, in the form of the mysterious and drop-dead gorgeous princess to call her own. I had only ever seen Luna from a great distance, during last year’s Summer Sun festival. She seemed to suck all the light out of the square during the night, and during the day she almost seemed like she would just fade away at any moment. Celestia was, of course, her direct counterpart. She seemed to flicker weakly in the night, but as soon as the sun came up her radiance matched the sun’s.

“Allow me to make it up to you.” Luna waved a hoof at me, beckoning me closer. “How would you like to have dinner with Twilight and I tonight?”

“D-dinner? W-w-with you two?!” I could have died. In fact, I’m pretty sure a part of me did. It had to have been whatever last vestige of hope I had for living a normal life, because I hastily ducked my head in a low bow… Low enough to face-plant the ground.

“Ow, fuck! Eerm, I mean, yes! I’d be honored!” Both princesses blinked at me as I flustered, rubbing the red mark on my muzzle. I paused for half a moment before kicking the door open.

“Gottagoseeyoutonightthanksbye!”

As I jetted from the castle, trailing papers and whatever shreds of dignity I had left, I couldn’t stop gushing. Princess Twilight and Princess Luna invited me to DINNER!

ME.

THE HELPLESS BASKET CASE FROM TROTTINGHAM.

What was that she said about threats?

FUCK IT I’M HAVING DINNER WITH THE PRINCESSES!

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And then came the worst part of this little ordeal. I had, quite literally, nothing to wear. The winters in Canterlot were rather temperate (and I spent all of my time indoors anyways) so I had no clothing of my own. My hair sufficed for any decency problems I might have had. Even braided, it covered everything. I had a scarf and boots just in case I needed to go out in whatever snow we got, but it was June. We wouldn’t have snow for another six months or so, if we were lucky.

Yeah, I’m totally gonna show up at the castle wearing snow boots and a scarf.

Well, nothing left to do but go and buy something to wear. I padded to my currency chest, kicking it open with a fair bit of dread.

Three bits.

Fuck me running.

I literally had no choice. I couldn’t exactly decline an invitation from the princesses, and even if I could I missed my chance. It’d be rude to cancel last-minute. (Not like I had anything better to do, and besides, they’d probably have me tailed to see I followed through with whatever cock-and-bull plans I’d formulated.) So, with a heavy heart and a fair bit of dread, I made my way across town to the castle. Despite my lack of formal attire, I couldn’t help but feel excited.

The guards smiled at me as I arrived, and directed me to the West wing, fifth floor. The directions this time around were quite a bit more specific, and I prayed I wouldn’t forget any of them.

Of course, I promptly forgot my right hoof from my left and ended up bumbling into a hoofservant carrying a mop bucket.

“I’m sorry!” I gasped, my horn leaping to life as the bucket began to tip over. It quickly righted itself, smartly catching a small stream of water that had sloshed out before it hit the carpet. Both the hoofservant and I blinked at the bucket for a few long moments before I cautiously and carefully set it down.

“Thanks.” He shot me a wary look and left, taking the bucket with him. I just stood on the spot, staring at the bit of carpet I had just inadvertently saved from being soaked.

I’ve never done that before, reacted on the reflex like that. Nothing so quick and easy like that, anyways… I usually blow something up… What the fuck WAS that?

“Oh, hello, Star!” I snapped out of my reverie as Twilight spoke to me. She had appeared seemingly from nowhere. Either that, or I had been spacing out again. I had a knack for doing that. I shook my head and smiled back up at her.

“Hello, Twilight! Sorry, I was-“

“Spacing, I could tell.” Twilight chuckled. She had a knack for finishing my sentences like that. If I were a smarter pony, I’d have been annoyed, but some small part of my brain kept going ’AIIIIIIIIEE SHE’S A PRINCESS AND SHE’S TALKING TO YOU!’ “I’m glad you could make it for dinner.”

“Th-thank you! Me too. I’m starved.” I blushed again as Twilight beckoned me to follow her up the stairs.

“I hope you like crumb bake. Luna should be nearly finished with it. I just had to go see Commander Heartland for a moment.” At Twilight’s mention of the commander of the guard, a memory came back to me, of Luna mentioning something just earlier that day.

“Is it about the threats?” I quipped. Twilight looked at me for a moment. Her face was always difficult to read. She was either this strange, pensive sort of rock-solid platonic look, or she was smiling. As I watched, her smile returned and she shook her head.

“No, not about any threats. We haven’t been threatened in a long, long time. Equestria is a peace.”

“Oh. Okay.” I furrowed my brow. Had I mis-remembered? Probably. My memory was abysmal sometimes. Rather than bring it up again, I fell into silence and followed Twilight upstairs. Aside from earlier that day, I’d never been this far into the castle before. The whole thing was massive, taking up a good quarter of the mountainside Canterlot rested on. I’d heard dignitaries and officials all either lived or kept offices here, and if my previous trip to the East wing had been any indication, they could certainly fit them all. The only time I had been there aside from today was to visit the court, and they were on the first floor in the East wing.

Twilight leveled out into the fifth floor and began making her way through the halls, remaining surprisingly quiet. Now and then I thought I might have heard a mutter or a whisper from her, but each time I glanced at her, she just smiled back at me. After about fifteen minutes of walking, Twilight led me into a warmly-worn wooden door. The first thing that hit me was the smell. Something had been fried and smelled absolutely amazing.

“Oh wow.” I inhaled the scent deeply, trying hard to avoid letting my stomach grumbles be heard. I hadn’t eaten all day, since there was no more food in my home and I didn’t go work for Bookend. Given the fact Twilight smiled knowingly at me, I had failed. I offered a sheepish smile in return as Twilight gestured to a table in the middle of the main room, already set for three.

“Feel free to have a seat or look around. I’ll help Luna finish up.”

“W-wait, look around?” I asked. Twilight nodded and pointed to one of the three doors visible.

“Our library is through there. You’re welcome to go have a look, if you’d like.”

I was moving before Twilight had finished saying ‘library.’ I pushed through the door and into what could very easily have been described as my wet dream. The library here was even more comfortable and expansive than the one I had met Twilight in earlier that day. A massive set of double windows opened up to Canterlot, giving me a beautiful view of the city at night time. The streets were lit and ponies were out enjoying an evening stroll or finishing up dinner. The night sky was clear and filled with millions of stars.

Furthermore, the three walls that didn’t have windows were completely covered in even more books. Twilight’s office was double-tiered, but this one sported just one huge column of books after another. I guessed when you had wings, browsing spines thirty feet above the ground didn’t matter much. I began to make the circuit of books, scanning titles one by one as far up as I could read. She had such an extensive collection, from books on history to advanced spell manuals, recipe books, and even fantasy novels. The last caught my attention, as I spotted the name of an author I adored, but had only seen three of their books. Twilight had one I hadn’t read just yet.

I gingerly plucked the book from its place and flipped it open, reading from chapter one. I was hooked immediately, lost in my own little world of fantasy. The characters and plot were gripping, and damn it all if I wasn’t jealous of the main heroine for having that hunky stallion for a travelling partner. Not to mention the way levitation was just a unicorn’s way of interacting with the world, kind of like how pegasi could fly and earth ponies had their natural strength.

When the villain was revealed, I already hated him. Each new triumph that the heroes had over him made me nearly cheer with glee. I took a smooth drink of water and munched on some bread even while I flipped another page. I thought it was pretty cool that levitation was best imagined as you trying to physically lift the object, and picturing yourself underneath whatever it was you were trying to carry, lifting it with your weight, but sending those thoughts through your horn was the best way to achieve results.

Before I knew it, I had finished the book.

Wait a tick, what fucking time is it?

“That was in interesting read, wasn’t it?” Twilight’s voice literally made me jump. My heart pounded as I glanced out of the nearby window. The streets below were dark, and nothing but the half-full moon and the stars lit the city. I could see the faintest edge of dawn on the horizon, staining the black sky just the slightest shade of dark purple.

“Twilight! I-I-I don’t know what happened!”

“Easy, Star.” Twilight calmed me down with a gentle hoof and yet another smile. “Relax, okay? Take a closer look at the book.” She levitated the recently-finished story up to me, and I opened it about halfway. It was a part of the story where the heroine was engaged in an epic struggle with the forces of the evil overlord, and the text suddenly went into depth with how her levitation worked as she swung her sword.

“Think fast.”

“What? WOAH!” I looked up from the text as a massive granite ball sailed across the room at me. My horn leapt to life, grasping the ball and smoothly setting it on the ground at my hooves. “What in the name of Tartarus has gotten into you?!” I stared at Twilight, who was still just smiling at me. “Throwing rocks all of a sudden?! I could have been hurt! And after today, when I nearly beamed myself in the face, I-“

It hit me like the granite ball had failed to do. I looked up at Twilight with wide eyes. She held the book between us, and wiggled it teasingly.

“Some of us learn better when we read between the lines, Star. I modified this story so you’d already be invested in it by the time you hit the dry, boring text about how magic worked.”

“So you’re saying…”

“Try lifting the ball again, Star.” Twilight set the book down and gestured to the granite ball. I turned to it, still in disbelief. Yet, as I called my magic to me and focused on the ball, I could remember the words from the story. Imagine it’s your own body lifting the ball up, then just project that thought through your horn.

I lifted the ball two feet off of the ground. I had to flex my muscles to do it, but I did it. It didn’t shoot through the ceiling or beam me in the face. It didn’t sit unmoving on the ground. It followed my command. Cautiously, I floated the ball towards me, watching with awe as it glided through the air to slowly circle me where I stood.

When I set the ball back down, I was crying. Twilight wrapped her hooves around me, and I collapsed against her. I could feel her stroking my mane. I’ve never been able to do that before… I… I did it. I can do it. Twilight’s already showed me how to levitate. What else can she show me?

I sniffled pathetically and dried my tears on a hoofkerchief she offered me. When I looked back up at her, she was smiling warmly.

“Alright,” I mirrored her smile. “When’s our next lesson? I want to learn some more.”

“Easy, Star.” Twilight chuckled as she lifted the granite ball. I watched as she tossed it my way. Reflexively, my magic caught the heavy ball, keeping it from hitting the floor too hard.

“Baby steps.”