New Moon (My Little Pony)

19 First Day (1/2)

Bud's lecture ended after covering the necessary contents before the bell rang for lunch. She had made a strenuous mental effort to not tangent from her lesson as she did last week. The time she wasted time placed her bit behind her syllabus and the last thing she needed was more strain on her mind.

It also didn't help that a portion of her students dared to make small banter during her lecture. Thankfully,a segment of her lecture involved reading, so Bud made rounds around her whispering students to motivate them to pay attention. Their reaction to Bud befuddled her a bit though. She couldn't understand why they were somewhat fearful of her; she knew was had her usual smile that was always perceived to be endearing.

Regardless, Bud played her role in escorting her students to the cafeteria. Depending on the time, a certain age of students would fill the large room to receive their fair share of food and refreshments.

Most teachers would leave their students for the cooks and school monitor to deal with and return to the teacher's lounge to enjoy their privacy from the students. Bud on the other hoof, would join her students and spark conversations to become more familiar with them. She was even more lenient of their juvenile behavior, which may be the reason why many of the students may adore her company.

However, today, Bud felt it was necessary that she needed some privacy. She returned to her classroom and exhaled a large weight that she was carrying. She slouched on the side of her desk and then sighed when realized she had forgotten to make lunch for Lazuli and herself. That mare, Tenure Grace, has so far been nothing but an inconvenience to her daily activities. In fact, Bud may go so far as to call her a hazard.

Who did that mare think she is to say that Bud couldn't handle raising her own foals? Bud has had them for more than six days and she'd say that everything has gone quite fine at the moment.

And who is she to say that her past experience at her mother's daycare doesn't qualify as a factor. Bud would bet that she has far more experience with foals then that Tenure Grace had for her entire career. Does she honestly think that Bud couldn't adapt to things like she can? The nerve of her!

That mare is too prideful for her own good. At least when Nebula does it, it's cute. But this Tenure Grace...

Just why? Why now? Why does she have to deal with this mare and the city government right after coming to grips with her own problems? Is this going to be a thing she's going to have to deal with on a daily basis? Well, she gave birth to the literal reincarnations of royal usurpers, so she shouldn't expect a normal parenthood in her future.

Bud groaned as she turned to bang her head onto her desk. "This is so stressful," Bud complained. "Can't I at least have just one day where I don't need to try so hard to keep my sanity?"

"Ms. Bud," Bud heard a filly's voice from the entrance to her classroom. Bud swiveled her sight and saw her star student, Raven Inkwell, approach her.

Bud fixed her posture and put on a smile. "Raven," Bud started. "Aren't you supposed to be at lunch?" Bud noted the lunchbox that was laid on Raven's back.

"I was hoping I could have it with you if that's alright? You left the cafeteria so soon that I was worried that you wanted to be alone. But I thought that I should at least ask first."

"That's so sweet of you Raven," Bud said. She hopes her children can grow to be as doting as Raven. Though, that seems like a stretch in Nebula's case. "But don't you want to use this time to mingle with your friends?"

Raven nodded her head in disagreement. "I have other moments in my school time where I can spend time with them, but I prefer to have this with you if that's alright?"

"If that's what you want," Bud sat before her desk. "Then come take a seat at my desk." Raven happily placed her lunchbox on Bud's desk after pushing a stool from a corner of the room before it to sit atop of. Bud watched her star student open her lunchbox and revel an assortment of steamed greeneries inside.

"That smells so nice," Bud commented after taking a whiff of the enticing aroma. "Did one of your maids make it for you?"

"Actually, it was my dad."

"Hawk cooks," Bud perked at her student's claim. "I would've never thought that."

"Yes, my dad is very vigilant about my diet. That's why he makes all of my meals for me. I once asked him if he could teach me his recipes, but he told me that it shouldn't be one of my priorities at the time"

"Really? Because I don't remember him bringing lunch boxes when he sent you to Ponyville with me?"

"S-speaking of which, "Raven nervously said. "Did the conversation between you and my dad went smoothly?"

"Now Raven," Bud said. "I told you that you have no reason to concern yourself about that."

"I know, but...I really don't want the tow you to hate each other. Dad isn't a bad person. He just has a lot on his mind."

"I know Raven," Bud assured. "He's told me plenty of them."

"You don't hate my dad, right?"

"I don't hate Hawk," Bud answered. "I just disagree with him, that's all. Now let's leave it at that shall we?"

"Yes ma'am." Raven craned her head to her lunchbox and stared at it. bud frowned at this sad display of her star student and sighed.

"Everything is fine Raven," Bud assured. "I promise that you don't have to worry about it. I still love you and my opinion of Hawk hasn't changed that much."

"Do you," Raven started. "Do you think he could open up to me again? Like he was before mom was with us?"

"I..." Bud struggled for a response. "I can't say. I think the only pony that can reason with him right now is himself."

"So you think so as well," Raven mumbled.

"H-how about we don't worry about that stuff right now," Bud. "I'm sure there are more positive things we can talk about, right?"

"Yeah," Raven gave a weak smile. "Let's do that."