A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES

Chapter VII - ABSTINENCE

   Star rushed out after a curious Destiny and the confused guests followed.  Princess Absentia was standing there, waiting patiently.  Aside from their coats, the siblings looked incredibly similar.  Absentia almost had four years on Destiny, though, and it showed in her maturity and speech patterns.

"Good day, Your Highness," Star said with a bow.  Destiny looked as if he was in awe to see her.  "You look very well."

"Thank you, Star," Absentia replied, sounding somewhat dazed.  "I don't feel well.  I had a long night of reading."

"His Excellency often does the same," Star retorted, smiling.  He felt like a proud father, even as Destiny rubbed his face with his wing.  He was so uncouth it was adorable.  "I'll be casting this spell, if you were worried about it."

"I heard my mother didn't give very good notice," she said, Destiny stepping closer to her and examining her clothes.  They were similar to his, only much more lavish and new.  Her jewelry was the same, and her mane was tied up into an elegant bun.  "Hello, Stranger."

Destiny's ears flopped slightly, before he stood at full height again.  They were almost at eye level with each other.

"Sorry, Your Highness," Star said, trying to string a sentence together,  "His Excellency, erm, he doesn't interact with, uh, other.. members.. of this, um, castle."

"So you're Destiny Afterlight," Absentia beamed, clicking her horn against his.  It was a little too aggressive, causing him to wince.  "Pleasure to finally meet you, little brother."

"Huh?"  Destiny finally asked, looking to Star for support.  As of recently, he had finally started interacting with other ponies.  One could tell, as Star had helped him rehearse his speech for Miss Ruby Blade for hours.

"You have a big sister?"  Ruby Blade asked, Destiny staying confused.  Star had no idea what thoughts filled Destiny's head, but he could assume Destiny wanted a treat of sorts.  He had a knack for sweets, but Star used them as a reward.  "I had no idea."

"Ruby, he's just as surprised as you are," Sparkling Swirl answered, Destiny's ear flopping over again.

"Pardon me," Absentia said finally, addressing Destiny.  "We haven't met, but my name is Absentia Afterlight.  I'm.. your sister."

"Sister?"

"We have the same parents," she addressed in a lighter tone.  She could tell he wasn't following.  Hopefully, she could tell what he wasn't following specifically.  "I was informed that a difficult spell was going to be cast."

Destiny, and it was obvious, didn't remember this.  Star hadn't told him the information, after all, and Destiny didn't remember anything his mother told him.  At least, not if it wasn't negative.

"I'll be performing the spell," Star reiterated to Destiny, who wagged his tail slightly.  It was his polite way of saying "thank you", or literally anything else.  "Neither one of you need to worry."

Destiny seemed to suddenly remember.

"It's because Mother said I'm too weak to be the king, isn't it?"  He said solemnly.  "I can hardly levitate something without getting a nosebleed and a splitting headache."

Absentia peered at her little brother, pulling him into what seemed like an awkward hug.  Destiny cuddled against her, everypony else stuck watching.  Destiny looked content, perhaps sad and still lonely.  His childish face held a symphony of emotions.
Star found himself praying Destiny would stay a foal forever.  That Twister would stay away from him.  That his new friends would remain his friends.  That Star could always protect Destiny.