video } the wonderful part of the mess that we made we pick ourselves undone

[truefriendship]

[Starlight's not used to these devices or much about this place, but it's just like learning new magic. She's sure she can do it. After a few minutes of fiddling with a hoof, she turns it on, using her magic to hold it out in front of her.

Slightly upside-down, but she hasn't noticed.]

Greetings. My name is Starlight Glimmer. I am a newcomer here. I have read all your pamphlets and other resources, it's all very informative, but none of it answers my real question.

[She hesitates, then pushes through.]

...is this a friendship test?

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[modore]

No...it's not a friendship test.

[What is that even?

A beat.]

You said Starlight Glimmer?

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[truefriendship]

Yes. That's me. [She nods, though the cyan magic emanating from her horn keeps the device steady.] Who are you?

[It's a good thing she spent a little time researching and looking around before she actually talked to anyone. These... humans are very, very strange looking to her.]

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[modore]

My name's Satoru.

[Ponies are probably much less strange to humans than humans are to ponies.

Satoru looks thoughtful.]

You're Sunburst's friend, right?

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[naughty_nurse]

[A gasp!!!]

You... You must be from Sunburst's world! Oh, he'll be so happy!

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[truefriendship]

Sunburst? Sunburst's here? Where?

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[naughty_nurse]

If not in his room, probably the library... he's usually in there reading something or other.

[It's like his second home.]

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[adaptiveimmunities]

A... what? What the hell is a friendship test? That's a thing you can be tested on?

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[truefriendship]

Believe me, Twilight Sparkle can come up with a test on anything.

[There's a wry fondness to her tone. Twilight's been giving her a second chance, and that's absolutely enough to make up for the several annoyances that come with having her as a teacher.]

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[adaptiveimmunities]

[...Twilight Sparkle. Starlight Glimmer. What, does Mattel name these ponies or something?]

Uh huh. Well, unless they're capable of sending you to a different dimension for this friendship test thing? [And he's not ruling that out. Wonderland has made him a lot more open minded about this kind of thing.] It's probably not.

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[deflectere]

You're...talking.

[ forgive him, he hadn't met a talking horse before and now he could only stare in bewilderment.

you'd think that a guy who fought demons and knew werewolves would be a little less surprised on this matter. ]

What's a friendship test?

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[truefriendship]

Yes. [She says it slowly, giving him an unimpressed look.] You're talking too.

[This is just as weird for her as it is for you, buddy.]

Uh, exactly what it sounds like? A test to see how well I'm mastering friendship.

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[forwearemany]

Negative.

(Wonderland is poorly suited for anything friendship. Given that:)

This location is a living entity that consumes memories and souls.

(Wow Legion. Way to be a downer.

They're very unhappy with Wonderland as a whole right now.)

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[truefriendship]

O....kay....

[She just raises an eyebrow.]

Metaphorically or literally?

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[bibliocorn]

[He has both wished for and dreaded this day. He wouldn't want anypony to be stuck in this awful place the way he is...but equally, he's missed other ponies. He might be pretty damn good at being a recluse back home, but even he has his limits. And he met those months ago. The humans have been fine company, but it's not quite the same as having your own kind with you.

And of all the ponies it could be, it's Starlight. The pony he's missed the most, if he were honest with himself. Besides, if anypony can get out of here, it's Starlight, by want of doing crazy magical stunts nopony else in their right mind would do otherwise, if nothing else. ]

Starlight! Oh, wow, is it good to see you. What room are you in right now? I can come and find you.

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[truefriendship]

Sunburst! [She's been told he's here by a few people, so she looks excited, if not surprised.] It's... hold on.

[She just kind of went into a room, she's not totally sure which one. She pokes her head out the door, then pops back in.]

Room 15. On the first floor.

[pearlfectly]

Well, seeing as how we're going to war, I don't think so. Oh! And welcome.

You're holding it upside-down, by the way.

[truefriendship]

Huh? Oh. [She flips it with her magic.] Thanks. A war? That... seems extreme.

[Wars can be stopped by the power of friendship, but Starlight doesn't think she's at that level yet.]

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[townwithoutme]

[This is a colorful, talking unicorn. Months ago, Kayo would have been surprised to the point of silence, but she's met all sorts of people and creatures and beings that fall somewhere in the middle. Which means it's time to judge her more for the things she says than what she is. That's probably rude anyway.]

Did you want a friendship test?

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[truefriendship]

I want to know that I'm here for a reason, and being sent here by my teacher would qualify.

[It would mean she's getting out when she's done. It would mean everything is under control.]

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[entreats]

[ Thankfully Ange has already heard about talking unicorns, so that isn't too surprising. But... ]

Don't call it a friendship test. You'll give this place ideas.

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[truefriendship]

You don't want this place to get the idea that we should be better at friendship?

[Because it's not the WORST idea to get. It's certainly improved Starlight's life.]

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[directed]

Only as an unintentional byproduct of what we are forced to endure here.

[Certainly Rip cannot say he hasn't grown closer to some for having been there. But more importantly--]

Would it be safe to assume you're acquainted with a unicorn named Sunburst?

[She's a bright purple unicorn talking about friendship. Rip considers it a fairly solid wager.]

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[truefriendship]

[WOW RUDE NOT ALL UNICORNS KNOW EACH OTHER YOU KNOW. Except, in this case, yes, they do.]

Yes, we go way back. Has he... talked about me to you as well, then?

[She tries not to sound too nervous about the idea.]

[powerofmabel]

[ANOTHER UNICORN?? And she kinda has an aesthetic that's... more like Sunburst than the unicorns in Gravity Falls, so she must be awesome.]

Pffft. That's crazy. You don't test friendship. That makes it sound like homework.

[a pause for effect]But if it was homework, I'd get straight A's on it every time. Heyoo!

[truefriendship]

It... is homework. I'm studying Friendship under Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship herself.

[She raises an eyebrow.]

So are you an expert in friendship as well?