"Mamas?"

She winced at how small her voice sounded to her ears. She needed her mamas to treat her like an adult now, not a squeaky-voiced, scared, baby. But the words were out with no changing them, so she just tried to fix the situation again by schooling her features into a serious look as her mama turned to look at her.

"Moony? Is something wrong?" Mama Twilight's words showed that she hadn't been completely successful. Mama Rarity gave her an equally worried look. So far, this wasn't going according to plan.

No matter; plowing ahead.

"I wanted to request some advice from you," Moonstone said, raising her head. Mama Twi and Rarity shared an amused look, and nodded to Moony. "Oh, of course darling, you don't have to ask." Mama Rarity moved a bit away from Twilight, and patted the spot in between them on the couch. "Come here and sit while we talk."

Moony raised her head, and carefully trotted up to where her mothers were sitting. Mama Twi had been reading books, much to no one's surprise, in the living-room for a few hours at this point --but Moony had to wait until now, when Mama Rarity finished her work and also sat down, to ask for help. She figured twice the mothers ment twice the advice and she could use it, even if it meant more nervous waiting.

So she sat down, back straight and face still serious, and steeled herself for the conversation ahead.

"How do I make friends?"

Above her head, her mothers shared a surprised look. "I.. I don't understand the question darling, what do you mean?"

"How do I make friends? I don't know how to do it."

"Well, I uh," Mama Twi said, stumbling over her words a bit. "I mean, there are some general steps? Sharing interests, doing things together, try to find common ground to, uh, stand on...? Oh, and time, especially, is important, several studies has shown that spending time in someone's presence is required for--"

"Moony, there's nothing you need to break down into a science of steps to take." Mama Rarity shot Twilight a look Moony couldn't interpret. "If you think too much about how to do it, you'll just work yourself up over it and make things harder."

"...Yes," Mama Twi finally said. "If you had previous issues with interacting with ponies, then a plan might be necessary..." Mama Rarity looked at her again. Mama Twilight quickly continued. "But you don't? You have lots of friends, Moony! Felix always wants to play with you, and Disco and Zap like you, right? And your study group seems like it's fun, isn't it?"

Yes, but...

"But I've known Zap and Disco forever. I don't remember how I became friends with them 'cause I've always been!"

"And Felix and your other friends? Oh, and do you remember when the Prance ambassador and his family came by? You and his kids ruined half the castle kitchen as you played restaurant! Grubber had to try and make do with just one oven for almost a week!"

Moonstone smiled at the memory, as both of her mothers laughed. They'd been upset at the time, but it had been worth it -- that had been a great afternoon, and the kids had been fun to try and play with as they had no idea what each other were saying,

And she'd never spoken with them again after that. She didn't even remember their names.

She honestly wasn't sure how she and Felix became friends. She'd just kept visiting him, until he started to visit her and suddenly they just ...were. He always listened to her, and came by just to be there if they couldn't play, and he'd told her secrets...

But he was the only one. She'd tried, with others; asking them to visit, playing with them and everything else she did with Felix. It just wasn't working. They were nice when they studied together, and fun to play with when Mama asked their families over --until they went home and seemed to forget about her. They never invited her over, and seemed hesitant when she asked if she could come along to plans they were making. They said yes, but she felt like they didn't really want to.

"Moony, I've seen you meet complete strangers and find a way to befriend them in just a few minutes. I know friendship can be hard, but you're one of the best people at making new friends I've met," Mama Twi said, and winked at her. "And trust me, I'm the literal princess of friendship."

That wasn't the problem!! Making new friends was easy, but they were just-- they were small friendships. Not like her mothers' lifelong big friendships with Moonstone's aunties.

"But that's not... I don't know how to, how to make them..." Moonstone rubbed her hooves together and clacked her teeth a bit.

"Look, it's okay. It's alright to be a bit scared. You don't need to worry darling," Mama Rarity said, putting a hoof under her chin to look her in the eyes. "You're clever, kind and fun to be around. Your friends love you, trust me."

That wasn't... but Moony wasn’t even sure what the problem was anymore. Her moms didn't seem to think there even was one.

So she just nodded.