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?

Comments

[powerofmabel]

Um yeah. And I feel like I just found my dream job before I become president.

Do you need a friendship tutor? I can totally be your friendship tutor.

[truefriendship]

I probably need all the help I can get.

[She gives a half smile. The girl's enthusiasm is infectious.]

You remind me of someone I know back in Ponyville.

[powerofmabel]

You are from Sunburst's world! [She smooshes her hands against her face.] I didn't assume, 'cause there's unicorns in a lot of places, but you definitely aren't as stuffy and prissy as the ones from where I'm from.

[truefriendship]

Nice that someone's not assuming, I guess. [Look, not all ponies know each other!! Just cause these two happen to doesn't mean you should assume they do!] But yes, he's my oldest friend, actually. There are unicorns where you're from too?i

[powerofmabel]

Yeah, they're huge jerks. Annnd I may have been a little judgey of Sunburst when he first showed up because of that, but we're cool now. And any friend of his is a friend of Mabel's.

[truefriendship]

[Her enthusiasm is infectious. Enough to make Starlight give a small smile.]

You remind me of somepony back home. She's... got your same enthusiasm.

[powerofmabel]

[She practically vibrates with excitement.] Maybe she'll come here too... Not that I'd wish Wonderland on anyone, but we need a little more enthusiasm around here.

[truefriendship]

Are you kidding? She'd probably throw a party her first day here so she could meet all her new friends.

[She may never entirely understand Pinkie Pie, but she does miss her.]

[powerofmabel]

[In an excited whisper:] Her wonderfriends. Man, why didn't I think of that? Hmmm. Maybe since our birthday is gonna be weird this year, I can turn it into a friendly get-together thingy...

[truefriendship]

Why is your birthday going to be weird?

[And who's "our?"]

[powerofmabel]

'Cause I'm turning sixteen, but I haven't aged since I turned thirteen....

For humans, that's really messed up.

[truefriendship]

It'd be pretty messed up for ponies, too. Is that a quirk of this place?

[powerofmabel]

Time is kinda weird, yeah. We have seasons and stuff, but nobody ages or anything, which is probably awesome for adults who're really obsessed with staying young, but nooot so great for teenagers.

[truefriendship]

Oh, I know a spell that could fix that!

[powerofmabel]

...Wait. Really?

[a long... thoughtful... pause.] Dooooes it come in potion form? Asking for a friend.

[truefriendship]

Oh, ah, I'm not much of a potion maker. I mean, I can look into it but my spells tend to be more immediate than that.

[Because if she thought them through enough to make a potion out of them she'd inevitably realize they're a bad idea, and we can't have that.]

[powerofmabel]

We've definitely got some time, and you'd be making somebody the best birthday gift ever.

[truefriendship]

Well, I'll see what I can do! Guess it's not like I have much better to do around here.

[powerofmabel]

Ahhh. Thank you! You and Sunburst have really brought back my faith in unicorns, after the last ones I met.

[truefriendship]

What was wrong with the last ones you met?

[Not that all unicorns are great, obviously, but she's curious.]

[powerofmabel]

They were jerks who told me I wasn't pure of heart, and made me feel bad about myself, which is, like, the opposite of what you guys do.

[truefriendship]

Oh yeah, believe me. I'm the last person to judge purity of heart.

[ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.]