Twilight sighs deeply as she sits on the sofa with a blanket around her, wearing a pair of short black spats and a purple top which stops at the top of her stomach. Nearby in the armchair Starlight can be seen curled up in the same type of clothing, also with a blanket over her as she sleeps. Glancing at her phone for what seemed like the hundredth time that evening, the time saying 7:30 AM. The mare in question sighs deeply as she lays down, curling up with the blanket before flicking through her contacts to find Cassandra. Dialling the number she was given, it takes a few seconds before Twilight's silent prayers were answered.

"Twilight? I wouldn't have expected you to have called me this early in the morning, I assume something is amiss?" Cassandra states with concern.

"Oh, I didn't expect you to pick up so quickly if I'm honest..." Twilight states with a hint of surprise.

A nervous chuckle comes from the other end of the phone.

"Well, this month is mostly major preparation for December when we have our mid-terms exams from the 4th to the 8th. Being some of the only third years on the island, my sister and I are well sought after by second or first years to tutor them. As such, getting up early is going to be a basic part of my life for the next few weeks," Cassandra sighs lightly, "So, what did you need my dear?"

Twilight takes a few deep breathes before sighing.

"Edward didn't come back to the dorm yesterday after we dealt with a few gem-like entities who took Alexander and Starlight hostage. After resolving the situation, we went back to the dorm to rest while Alexander was left behind with Edward... A little while later and only Alexander returned looking very depressed, Edward still has yet to return at all since then..." Twilight states, unable to hide the worry in her voice.

"I see... I shall have to note that for further investigation, send me a text after where this confrontation took place, please. Now... Even if those two had an argument, I've never seen or heard about one so bad that they were apart for long... While I feel they'll bounce back, this news troubles me greatly." Cassandra mumbles something to herself before sighing, "I'll look into it on my end, for now, be hopeful and get some rest. No doubt it'll get better, just have a little faith."

Twilight nods subconsciously, "Okay... Thank you for picking up Cassandra... It means a lot."

The girl hung up the phone, leaving the mare to her thoughts as the lighter blue seeped more through the living room curtains. After another half hour of staring at the wall next to the beanbag across the room, Twilight gets up and stretches before getting dressed in a fresh uniform.

"Hmm... Where you going?" The sound of a sleepy Starlight catches her attention from the armchair.

Twilight glances behind her to see Starlight wiping her eyes slowly while yawning.

"I've been up since we got back... I really need a walk and some Sparkles coffee..." Twilight states trying to smile for her pupil.

"Bring me some... I could use a pick me up..." Starlight states as she settles back down into cuddling her blanket.

Twilight chuckles very lightly to herself before sighing deeply and walking towards the door.

"Did you want anything else?" Twilight asks back to Starlight who seems to have drifted back to sleep.

Getting no reply, the mare goes to open the door before something made her pause.

"I'm sure he'll be fine..." Twilight turns back to Starlight whom she believed mumbled something but soon hears the mare snore cutely.

Blinking a few times and shaking her head, she continues to open the door and leaves the dorm room. Groaning, Starlight gets up several minutes after Twilight's departure and groggily walks down the hall towards the boy's bedroom. Touching the doorknob, Starlight's hand is repelled by a shield which shocks her slightly. Growling lowly, she lights up her horn to make the barrier in front of her shatter and dispel with little effort. Starlight then continues to open the door, entering the room and closing it behind her. Knowing exactly what she wants, the Unicorn shuffles towards and crawls under the quilt of Alexander's bed, finding her mark and cuddling close to him.

"Hmm... Starlight..? The barrier meant I'm not in the mood to talk..." Alexander shuffles around so he is facing Starlight in the darkness.

"Then don't... Just shut up and cuddle, talk later... Too early to sort out friendship problems..." Starlight groans and mumbles as she snuggles into his chest, getting comfortable.

Of all the many things going through his head at that moment, Starlight was the only thing he was sure about. Wrapping his arms around her and settling down, he sighs deeply and takes in her comforting raspberry aroma.

"I fucked up, Starlight... I kept secrets... I... I hurt someone I called a brother..." Alexander states with a heavy sigh.

The mare below him mumbles in her new sleeping position, snuggling into him tightly.

"Can be fixed... There's always a way..." Starlight replies, somehow managing to comfort Alexander even if just a little.

"I don't know how... But I guess if 'pupil of the Princess of Friendship' is anything to go by... I'll take your word for it." Alexander smiles at Starlight, stroking her hair as he pulls the quilt up to comfortably cover his mare, "I love you... I don't know what I'd do without you here."

Despite being heavily asleep, these words brought a smile to Starlight's face in the waning darkness.

Author's Notes:

So far progress has been going well, not only on TS, OM but also a couple of my other projects too. We're trying our best to write this at a good pace while figuring out where we want to take the arc and how we want to equally develop each side. I understand we might be trying to spread ourselves too thin, but I'm hoping it'll work out and each story will be easy to follow within reason. As always we thank you for your support and will see you next time.