As Clarabelle stared, wide eyed and terrified, at the School of Friendship, she felt even smaller than usual. She had wanted this her entire life. Now that she was here, there was something about that made her squeamish and afraid.
 
Sweetiebelle stood behind the young mare, watching her carefully. She could see her daughter’s anxiety, and her mom skills kicked in. “Sweetheart, are you sure you’re ready? This is a big change for you.”
 
Clarabelle turned to her mother, “Of course I’m ready! Just…just gotta get my legs to work.”
 
“Hang on, dear, don’t force yourself. Listen, you’re going into a brand new school in an entirely new place….it’s okay to be scared. You’ll be spending most of your time here for the next four years away from me and your friends in Canterlot, learning entirely new things and pushing yourself harder than before. With that in mind, Clara, are you sure you want to do this?” Sweetie rested a hoof on her daughter’s shoulder.
 
Clara breathed in, eyes closed, held her breath, and let it out. She turned to her mother. “Yes ma’am! I can do this!”
 
Sweetie chuckled, “Of course you can, starshine. You can do anything. Don’t let anyone stop you, and if they try, well they can eat your dust as you speed toward greatness!” She kissed Clarabelle’s forehead.
 
“Thanks mama.” Clarabelle smiled brightly at her. A bell rang in the distance, calling the new students in for orientation. “Guess I better go.” She started off, but just before she got too far away, she turned tail and ran to hug her mom one more time, dropping her bag in the process.
 
Sweetiebelle hugged her back tightly. They pulled away from each other, and Clara looked to her mom for strength and comfort one last time. They said their goodbyes, and Clarabelle was officially off to the School of Friendship. Where she was sure she would climb to the top and achieve awesomeness, just like Twilight Sparkle.
 

 
Yep. Clarabelle loves her mom. Before this, she had been homeschooled in Canterlot by Sweetiebelle, so this is her first time striking out on her own. Kind of spooky, but at least she’ll be able to visit her mom often.
 
So, I see the School operating sort of like Hogwarts. Kids are there most of the time, and periodically visit their families back home. Twilight’s mission is not just friendship, but she offers classes on botany/potion-making (taught by Applebloom, which includes field work with Zecora), zoology/animal husbandry, and other fun magical school stuff.
 
Reminds me of when I went to CalArts for their summer program. It, too, was my first time truly being by myself in an entirely new place. It’s daunting, yo. I just distracted myself with work lol