A few weeks have passed since the trial. The days went by quickly even though they mostly consisted of school stuff. Some would say that this is boring, but not me. School is actually fun for once! Even subjects that are usually boring like math went pretty well. For example, aside from the usual formulas, we were learning practical applications of math in real life. I'm not talking about complex engineering or anything like that, but things like calculating electricity bills and financial management. Even taxes! Imagine that! The government can no longer leech off our money without us knowing. At least, now we know just how many taxes are there in Equestria. I was pleasantly surprised that they don't have income taxes for anyone who earns under a certain amount of money per year. From what we were told, I learned that it was done to promote economic growth and competition. I'm not too sure about the competition part, but it would certainly allow ponies to earn and spend more money, thus doing good things to the economy. I certainly know that money is good for the economy as long as it keeps moving and isn't stashed away.

The longer I live in Equestria, the more I'm pleasantly surprised about its state. One of such surprises is the fact that we're prepared for everyday life. Though, that is to be expected in the best school of Equestria. Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns lives up to its name. I'm reasonably sure that the situation in other schools isn't that much worse even if lessons aren't taught by the princesses themselves.

Speaking of lessons taught by the princesses, we had astronomy classes taught to us by Luna. And oh boy... I've never thought studying stars would be so exciting, not to mention beautiful. There's a very interesting fact about the night – the sky is not dark-blue or black. It has many, many colors. One of our first lessons was a field trip to study stars with the least amount of light pollution. Luna gave us special necklaces that seriously enhanced our vision to the point where we could see the surroundings almost as well as during the day. However, that wasn't the point at all. We looked up and collectively gasped. What a view it was...

On the horizon, where the sun had already set, we saw a mix of orange and yellow like a burning fire. Among the proverbial flames, there were many stars. I counted at least fifty before I gave up, for there were many more stars than that. Hundreds, thousands, they covered the sky. Imagine... noise on a picture. It looked very close to that, but it was not purely black and white. Even the stars had different shades, ranging from simple white to shades of yellow and orange, sometimes even red. Then... there was cosmic dust. I'm not sure I can name all the colors present in it because of my limited vocabulary, but... Imagine, uh... splats of paint that were smoothened and brought together in a pleasant mix. It is difficult to describe with words, you have to see it to understand.

The class brought tents, so all of us stayed there for the rest of the night. Personally, I couldn't fall asleep because those stars were magnetizing, and I often came out of the tent to put on the necklace and look at them again and again. Many other students did the same. In the end, Moonshine, Night Breeze, and I settled under the stars without the tent blocking the marvelous, wonderful sight that the night sky was. Despite how thirsty we were for the view, we all soon fell asleep under the stars. And even in my dreams, I gazed at the stars and all that surrounded them.

Perhaps, this was one of those events that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I can now understand why Luna became Nightmare Moon, why she wanted to bring the eternal night. To be honest, I wouldn't mind it. I know the implications, which is, well, everything dying because of cold, but one can dream...

Despite all the good things that happened during these weeks, there is one blot, a spot that, well, didn't ruin anything, but brought some bad thoughts. I'm talking about Blueblood and his upcoming adoption. I don't know why, but no family has come yet to as much as look at him. A week after the trial, I could already see him becoming less joyful. On a second week, it was obvious he was only pretending to be having fun with us, but the sadness in his gaze was apparent. And now...

To start it off, I went to him alone because both Moonshine and Night Breeze were resting at home, and Iridia finally got everything sorted out about the apartment, so she was busy doing stuff with it. Don't know what it is, didn't ask, but whatever.

At first, my mood was good, and I wanted to do something fun with Blueblood. Maybe do some dumb stuff like fighting with sticks, running around and all that. However, what I saw canceled all the plans. When I was right at his door, preparing to knock, I heard something I was afraid to hear.

He was crying. Not loudly, but it was obvious if one was to stop and listen. My own mood plummeted, and I couldn't find any words to tell him. So, there I stood in front of his door awkwardly, trying to decide what to do next. What will I tell him? What words could I offer that would give him hope? I could never imagine myself in his place, so I don't have any advice or comforting words. I mean... I can say that everything will be alright, but do I know that it will be? I'd rather not talk out of my ass when it comes to supporting a friend.

While I was thinking, I heard steps from behind me. I turned around and saw Luna coming towards me, a concerned expression on her face.

"Why hasn't he found a family yet?" I asked a question I really hoped not to ask in my life. I was quiet, too, fearing that Blueblood would hear it. I really don't want to put him through it, and I'm sure he doesn't really want to hear stuff like this.

"I've talked with some of the families that I personally would consider good candidates, and they are... simply afraid," Luna replied just as quietly, "Bluebloods lost their titles, but that doesn't mean they lost their influence completely. Even now, many families that are looking for foals to adopt, don't want to go for Blueblood."

"Can you do anything about it?" I asked with hope in my eyes. She's a princess, so she should be able to do something about it... I hope.

"I'm looking into it, but so far, I've not found any evidence that would point towards the Bluebloods making threats or anything of that sort," Luna shook her head to my disappointment, "Oh, how I would love to squash them... But first, I need evidence."

An idea popped into my head. I don't know if Luna will like it, but it's worth a try.

"Can you... adopt him?" I asked her slowly, trying not too sound too insistent.

"Me?" she blinked in confusion, "Well... Perhaps I can, but it'd come with many problems. Yes, I am a princess, but... To be completely honest with you, I'm not sure I can be a good mother."

"Why can't you? I'd say you'd be a very good mother, Luna," I assured her, eliciting a blush, "I've seen bad moms, and you're not one of those, that's for sure."

"...Thank you," she nodded, trying to sound calm, "Nevertheless, I'm not sure I can take him. I'm busy as is, and I don't want to leave him without attention he needs. As much as I'd love to help him, this is where I, unfortunately, can't."

"So, what will you do?"

"The only thing I can do is to continue searching for a family. I'm certain I will find one sooner or later. As for now, I suppose you can help Blueblood by comforting him. He needs friends more than ever."

Nodding, I finally knocked on the door. The crying stopped for a moment, and Blueblood's voice muttered from behind the door: "Go away, please."

"It's me, Flame," I said, hoping that he would change his mind.

"Oh," a pause ensued, "I... I'm sorry, I don't feel like playing..."

"Can I just talk to you?"

"I, uh... I guess..."

I slowly pushed on the door, opening it. I entered a dimly-lit room and saw Blueblood lying on his bed, looking up at me with tearful eyes. His mane was disheveled, his expression was sullen, and his ears were drooped. Tear trails were evident under his eyes.

"Hey Blue," I greeted him, walking up to his bed and sitting nearby. For a few moments, I was silent, gathering my thoughts and trying to figure out what to say next.

"I'm not good enough, am I?" he said, nearly startling me.

"What?" I blinked, "Blue, that's... that's not the thing at all!"

"Then why is no one coming?" he said with a strained voice, looking me somewhere between my eyes, "Why am I still here? I, I like things here, but I... I want to go!"

I really have no words to say. I wish I did, but... I can't say anything without it sounding like something, I don't know, generic? I just don't want to say anything that won't help the situation. I don't want to give blanket statements, but they're the only things I can get out of my mind at the moment.

"I should've just listened to my parents..." Blueblood sighed, "Thing would be fine..."

"Trust me, you wouldn't feel much better if you stayed with them," I told him.

It was a mistake.

"How would you know?!" he yelled, jumping from his bed. I instinctively backed away, folding my ears, "You don't know how it's like! Each day is so slow, slower than a... turtle! I'm sitting here, waiting and waiting, and nothing!"

"Man, I..." I stuttered, trying to come up with something, anything to say.

"I really should've listened to them!" he continued to yell, "And now, I don't have any family at all! And you? You have everything! How can you ever understand this? You... you fucking can't!"

I felt a sting on my cheek. It took me a second to register that he... punched me. A moment slowly passed as I raised my hoof and touched my cheek. Then, I looked at my hoof and saw... is that blood? He... does hit hard. It stung. Huh. I've not seen my blood for a long time. It's red. Huh. I mean, I knew it was red, but...

I know I'm just avoiding the fact that he hit me. But... I'm not angry at him, no. Not at all. I know things like that happen sometimes, and if I were to retaliate, it would only escalate the situation. I don't need that, he doesn't need that.

I looked back at Blueblood, my expression calm and somewhat relaxed. His anger was gone, his eyes were wide, and his ears flat against his head.

"I'm... I'm sorry..." he whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks and dripping down at the floor.

Well... I didn't expect this to happen, but... It doesn't matter. I started walking towards him, and right away his expression changed to one of fear. I probably look... weird. No idea, I just feel... weird. You know, kind of off. It's been a long time since I was hit last, and it's just... surprising, I suppose. But I think we can get out of this situation well. Once I was close to him, he closed his eyes and shook.

Instead of hitting him back or hurting him in any way, I hugged him. He let out a small gasp, but soon he hugged me back. I rarely hug anyone, but this time, I feel it is necessary.

"It's all fine, Blue. You're just stressed out," I told him, and we separated, "I have a feeling you'll find a good family," while it is close to a blanket statement, I do have that feeling. We're not very close friends, but he's a decent guy... colt... stallion... whatever. He's not bad at all, he deserves a good family to take care of him.

"I'm sorry I hit you, Flame..." he repeated his apology.

"It's fine," I assured him, "You know, you actually hit hard, I can still feel a bit of pain in my cheek," I smiled at him, eliciting an uncertain smile back from the colt, "Anyway... wanna do something to relieve the stress?"

"I don't know..." he shook his head slightly, "I, uh didn't feel like doing anything..."

He obviously still feels uncertain about the whole thing that has just happened. However, a random idea appeared inside my head.

"You know, it's warmer now," I said, "We could go to a lake or something, take a swim. The time allows it, especially if we teleport."

"...Doesn't sound bad," he nodded slowly, his body visibly relaxing, "Um, what about others?"

"Moonshine and Night Breeze are sleeping, Iridia is busy," I explained, "Though, I can drop by and tell Iridia to tell others where to find us if they wake up before we're done."

It didn't take long for Blueblood to agree. After notifying my twin sister (I think I'll call her that way since calling her a clone is weird and I'm not sure she wants to be called that way), the colt and I teleported down to the base of the mountain. The shore was rocky and empty, but it was fine. I didn't forget to bring a saddlebag with food, water, and a couple of towels. Once I set it not too far away from the edge of the water, Blueblood and I raced each other to the lake. I was the first one to jump in, and I almost immediately regretted it.

Water. Cold. Touches my balls. This is bad. My balls don't like it. I don't like it.

I let out a shaky sigh, trying to think about anything else than my next foals being made of snow and ice.

Blueblood went after me and soon, both of us were silently sitting in the water, shaking slightly, waiting to adjust to its temperature. I'm pretty sure he's experienced the same problems as me, judging by his expression. Nevertheless, there was a smile on his face, and I was immensely happy to see it. Even though it cost me a cut on the cheek to get that smile. Nevertheless, it healed really quickly, not leaving a scar. It probably has something to do with the fact that I'm an alicorn.

Speaking of that, I probably should tell Blueblood about that. Sooner or later, it'll come to his attention that I'm far from average, and I'm only going up. I'm not saying that I need to show off or anything, but... I need to show trust. He's my friend, after all. Granted, we haven't been the closest friends, but I'm sure we can fix that.

And it's starting now with this... ball-freezing little adventure. Ugh, it's still cold, even though it's a bit more tolerable. Either that or my balls are freezing off. Too late, I already have a kid on the way.

But whatever, enough about my or anyone else's balls. I'm having fun, Blueblood's having fun, and that's all that matters.

...

Fuck, it's still cold. Swimming probably wasn't the best idea.