Friday, October 30, 2015 / Early Morning
Today's Horoscope (Virgo): Be wary of the moon.

Rainbow Dash is grinning maniacally when she comes down for breakfast. "Today's finally the day," she says.

"You mean...?" Twilight asks.

"Yep!"

Cadance smiles. "I'm driving Rainbow Dash to the doctor in about an hour. He's still got a few little tests to do, but she should be off the crutches and out of that brace today."

We all cheer.

"That's great!"

"Way to go, Rainbow Dash!"

"It'll be good t' see you on yer feet again, sugarcube!"

"Yeah, I'm ready to be awesome again."

"And how's Fluttershy doing?" Luna asks.

Cadance sighs. "She's still sick. She isn't throwing up, and it looks like her fever could break any time, but..."

Fluttershy shambles down the steps. She's pouring sweat and looks clammy. Her eyes are bloodshot, with heavy bags underneath them. She looks into the dining room at us, then shuffles past into the kitchen.

"Ouch," Twilight says, grimacing.

"Poor Fluttershy," Pinkie says sadly.

Fluttershy shuffles past again holding a glass of orange juice. Twilight calls out to her. "Fluttershy? Is there anything we can do for you?"

Fluttershy stops to look at her and frowns slightly. "No," she says hoarsely. "I can take care of myself." She then retreats upstairs.

"Poor dear," Luna says.

After a moment, Rarity shakes her head. "Flash, Twilight, I'll need to do a fitting for your Halloween costumes this evening. Don't forget!"

"Oh, cool, what are you two going as?" Rainbow asks.

"Actually...we don't know," I say. "At least, I don't."

"Me neither," Twilight says. "Rarity hasn't told us yet."

"Oh, you're going to love them," Rarity says with a smile. "They're simply perfect for you!"

Friday, October 30, 2015 / After School

Tennis practice is routine. Even though we don't have a match tomorrow, the coach is yelling at us not to slack off.

Friday, October 30, 2015 / Evening

When I return to the dorm, I see Rainbow Dash walking around the lounge. She's limping a little, and frowning each time she takes a step on that leg, but she doesn't seem to be in any danger of falling over.

"Now, don't push yourself, Rainbow," Cadance says. "Take it slow."

"I know, I know," Rainbow says. "Gotta build the strength back up." She sees me watching her. "Hey."

"Hey. Good to see you on your own two feet again."

Rainbow chuckles. "Heh, yeah. More or less."

"How's Fluttershy doing?" I ask.

"Better," Cadance says. "Her fever broke, and she's still pretty hoarse, but..." She frowns. "Whatever she had, it wasn't the flu. I don't think." She shakes her head. "Strange."

"Such a shame, too," Rarity says from the lounge entrance. "She worked so hard on her costume for Halloween, too. She was going to go as a vampire queen. It was really quite magnificent."

Cadance looks thoughtful. "She might not have to miss the party," she says. "If she makes as much of a recovery by this time tomorrow as she did from yesterday, I think she can go. If she wants to." She grimaces. "I didn't peg Fluttershy for one of those kids who gets moody when she's sick."

"Yeah, she has been actin' a little bitchy since yesterday," Rainbow says. "Then again, I guess if I was throwin' up like that, I would too."

Twilight comes downstairs. "Rarity, I don't know about that costume," she says. "It's..."

"Oh, but you look so wonderful in it, darling!" Rarity says.

"But I—"

"It's Halloween, Twilight," Rarity says patiently. "Don't worry so much! You'll be with Flash, and...I dare say he'll appreciate your costume." She winks. Twilight flushes.

"What's she got you dressing up as?" I ask.

Twilight opens her mouth, but Rarity rushes over and puts her hand over it. "Hush now," she says. "I want it to be a surprise."

"Umm..." Twilight pulls Rarity's hand away. "You said Flash's costume complements mine, though, right? Won't he...well...know?"

"Oh. Yes. Good point." Rarity coughs. "Ahem. But the others don't know yet, and don't you want to surprise them?"

Twilight sighs. "I guess..."

"Good!" Rarity claps her hands. "It's settled. Come along, Flash. It's time for your fitting..."

With a sudden feeling of dread, I follow Rarity upstairs.

As soon as I see the outfit spread out on her bed, I know exactly what Twilight's going to be wearing tomorrow.

...I kinda can't wait to see it.

After Rarity finishes up my fitting, I head to my room to practice my guitar. After dinner, Luna volunteers the two of us to do dishes.

Remembering what I heard yesterday, I ask, "Is Sunset Shimmer's Canterbook access really as restricted as Principal Celestia thinks it is?"

Luna frowns. "I honestly don't know," she says. "But it would make sense to me if she were able to exploit the system's security holes." She sighs. "Eschewing traditional scholastics for this completely digital education system was a mistake. My sister believes herself to be progressive, but she does not always see the flaws in her plans..." She scrubs at a spot on a plate. "When we were young, schools taught cursive writing, and even into high school, you were graded on penmanship."

It suddenly occurs to me that I don't even know how to write in cursive...

"Does the janitor really have tier three Canterbook access?" I ask.

Luna nods. "Yes," she says. "And don't ask why. I don't know. My sister met him while I was..." She sighs, bowing her head.

"While you were...?"

She looks down at the dishrag in her hand. "While I was in prison."

...what?!

She looks up at me ruefully. "That's why I know Sunset Shimmer is a troubled teenager. Because she reminds me of myself when I was younger." She dries her hands and looks around. "Well...I'd best be turning in now. I'll be leaving early in the morning."

I finish up the dishes and head out to the lounge, trying to wrap my head around the thought of Vice-Principal Luna having a prison record...

Author's Notes:

Social Link Status:

0. FOOL (Zodiac Investigation Team): rank 3
I. MAGICIAN (Twilight Sparkle): rank 7
IV. EMPEROR (Coach Shining Armor): rank 5
V. HIEROPHANT (Vice-Principal Luna): rank 2 (Rank UP!)
VI. LOVERS (Nurse Cadance): rank 5
VII. CHARIOT (Rainbow Dash): rank 5
VIII. JUSTICE (Principal Celestia): rank 2
IX. HERMIT (Coco Pommel): rank 7
XV. DEVIL (Juan the Janitor): rank 3
XVII. STAR (Pinkie Pie): rank 6
XVIII. MOON (Trixie Lulamoon): rank 7
XIX. SUN (Vinyl Scratch): rank 4