"Then I can only regretfully tell you that I don't know."
Aurora's answer left the two of them baffled.
Did "don't know" mean she wasn't sure how she got her cutie mark? Or did she not know what it represented?
But how could that be?
However, they immediately thought of the rumors about Aurora that had circulated in Canterlot long ago.
"You don't actually have a cutie mark from birth, do you?"
Sunset Shimmer's eye twitched, and Twilight Sparkle wore a stunned expression.
They still didn't want to believe such a thing could happen. Even Princess Celestia only got her cutie mark when she raised the sun for the first time. What kind of pony was Aurora?
"That's why I'm not very clear about it myself, and it's hard for me to explain this phenomenon to you."
Knowing that a cutie mark depends on finding the meaning of one's life, and that it's like a manifestation of a pony's independent spirit, Aurora felt that everything special about her might stem from her soul as a human—a secret she absolutely did not want to tell any pony.
But in this setting where everyone was sharing stories, if she didn't say anything, that feeling of being out of place would only grow stronger.
"I heard from my parents that I was very weak when I was born, and the doctor even said I wouldn't survive the night. But I pulled through, and then I got my cutie mark."
Aurora spoke slowly, her tone as flat as an observer. However, her hooves, hidden under the table and trembling slightly, betrayed her inner unease.
"So sometimes I wonder, does my cutie mark count as proof that I barely survived..."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Aurora regretted it. She felt she had killed the conversation.
In fact, it was just as she thought; the atmosphere suddenly fell into an eerie silence. Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle couldn't help but lower their heads, not daring to look at her.
They would probably wake up in the middle of the night and kick themselves.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have started this topic in the first place..."
Guilt weighed heavily on Twilight Sparkle, but she felt that Aurora must be feeling even worse, and all because she had brought up the topic first.
"Sorry, Aurora, I shouldn't have forced you to share something you didn't want to talk about..."
Sunset Shimmer had been the most eager, and now she also regretted her earlier behavior.
If she had known that telling them the truth would make them so depressed, Aurora felt she might as well have made up an inspirational story to fool them.
But if she chose a white lie, it would deepen the sense of distance between her and them, and she wouldn't feel good about that either.
However, they didn't feel alienated by the ways she was different from other ponies, which brought some comfort to Aurora.
"Why are you making those faces? I don't think this is a bad memory at all."
It could even be said to be the happiest day of Aurora's "life," after all, she had become a pony. Compared to her current life, her human experiences were practically a nightmare.
"Besides, look at me, I'm perfectly fine! And very healthy; I've never been sick from the time I was little until now."
At a time like this, just saying comforting words would likely have the opposite effect.
So Aurora changed into a slightly arrogant posture, propping her elbows on the table, struggling a bit to cross her legs, and smirked with a devilish smile, saying:
"How's that? Aren't you impressed by your big sister Aurora?"
"Pfft... What are you trying to imitate? That's so weird!"
Sunset Shimmer knew that Aurora was looking out for their feelings and intentionally acting this way to lighten the mood, but she succeeded every time.
"Feeling better now? Honestly, I don't want you spending your precious energy dwelling on the past."
As she spoke, Aurora carelessly stuffed the rest of the cupcake into her mouth, then winced as the cloying sweetness hit her, quickly using the coffee to wash down the cake that was stuck in her throat.
This taste is just sickeningly sweet.
"Let's go somewhere together in a bit."
With the dessert mostly finished, Aurora couldn't wait to suggest their plans for the afternoon.
"Sure, Aurora, is there anywhere you want to go?"
Twilight Sparkle asked.
They needed to get back before dark, otherwise their parents would worry, so they had to take the afternoon train back to Canterlot. But before that, they still had some time in Ponyville.
"I bet you'll definitely like it there, Twilight."
Aurora didn't give the answer directly, keeping her in suspense.
"Gogogo! Girls, let's go!"
Aurora took the lead, with Twilight Sparkle following closely by her side with great interest, and Sunset Shimmer following unhurriedly behind.
Although Aurora seemed like she really didn't mind anything, Sunset Shimmer was still somewhat concerned about the vulnerability she had inadvertently revealed just a moment ago.
This made her suddenly recall what Celestia had once said to her:
"She might need more care than you imagine. Sometimes being easy to talk to doesn't necessarily mean she's easy to get close to; it could also be a way for her to refuse to open her heart."
'Is Aurora really hiding something?'
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