“Why don’t you come in?” Twilight asks, stepping aside to give you a more complete view of the castle’s entryway. “I’ll show you around the castle!”

You step over the threshold tentatively, as if stepping into alien territory. The crystal is surprisingly warm on your hooves. You look to Twilight for guidance.

She smiles back at you. “I’ll give you the tour, and we can talk about your research plans as we go. Then, I’ll show you your room.”

You begin walking beside her, and force yourself to steady your breathing before speaking. “It really is such an honor to have this opportunity, Princess Twilight.”

“Oh, just Twilight is fine,” she reassures. “The honor is all mine. You made the top ten of the national scholars’ contest; and this was your prize from the drawing. You earned it!” She begins marching up a tall central staircase, and you follow. “You already met my assistant Spike; it seems like he was a little grouchy today, but he’s a real sweetheart and a great friend. And then there’s Starlight…” Suddenly, Twilight halts her ascension and whips her head around to gaze at you analytically.

You freeze in response, just inches from running right into Twilight’s flank. You stare back at her with dilated pupils, frightened at her response.

A few seconds later, her penetrating gaze softens and she smiles. “Well...we can always meet Starlight later. She’s a bit of a character, and meeting her might be a little too much for your first day.”

“O-oh, if you say so,” you reply submissively, following Twilight as she turns the corner of the staircase and begins climbing its second leg.

“Honestly, I’m excited to have another pony of letters around,” Twilight titters absentmindedly. “Spike and Starlight work with me at the school of friendship, but there’s such a big difference between simple education and true research, wouldn’t you agree? Anyway, with all of the breaks in the fall, this season is a perfect time to dedicate myself to the pursuit of knowledge again!”

When Twilight reaches the landing, she stops. You do the same.

“S-sorry, I just get a little excited at the prospect of doing research again,” she admits, biting her lips as she looks at the floor in embarrassment. “Very excited, actually. Before I finish showing you around the castle, have you thought about what project you wanted to work on while you were here?”

Your ears perk up at the prospect of continuing your work. “Yeah, I have a few ideas,” you mention, knowing full well your mind was made up. “In fact… I’m particularly interested in-”

To ask Twilight to work with you on researching romantic literature and fiction, proceed to Chapter 5.

To ask Twilight to work with you on botany research, proceed to Chapter 6.

To ask Twilight to work with you on researching the epidemiology of disease, proceed to Chapter 7.

Next Chapter: Chapter 5 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 30 Minutes