Letters of Admiration


                                            Synopsis: An anonymous writer asks Princess Celestia to lower the sun slower than she usually does. When she grants the unusual request, a bond is formed between herself and the writer, prompting the writer to continue his correspondence with the princess.


                                            >Armored unicorn stallions closed the throne room doors behind the court's last petitioner.

                                            >Save for her assistant, Raven, Celestia sat alone on her dais and reflected upon the day's events.

                                            >The solar princess loved her little ponies, but even she would occasionally grow weary of the (often petty) complaints her subjects brought before her.

                                            >When was the last time she felt truly connected to a pony she "helped"?

                                            >The question brought a feeling of uneasiness and a frown to the alicorn.

                                            >Her expression did not go unnoticed by her assistant.

                                            >"Princess? What is it?"

                                            "Nothing to worry about, Rav-"

                                            >*POOF!*

                                            >A flash of light flared into existence near the throne, bringing a tightly-bound parchment scroll with it.

                                            >Celestia secured the scroll in her golden aura and inspected it.

                                            >The seal, made of green wax, bore no embossing, no embellishments whatsoever that could hint at the sender's identity.

                                            'This ought to be good,' she cynically mused to herself whilst unrolling the parchment.


                                            >[Princess Celestia,]

                                            >[I know you're an incredibly busy mare, so I'll try not to waste your time. I'd like to ask something of you, if I may be so bold.]


                                            'Here we go,' Celestia thought, rolling her eyes.


                                            >[When you lower the sun tonight, would you lower it slowly?]


                                            >Celestia's eyes widened. Raven wasn't sure what to make of the princess's silent reaction.


                                            >[Not that I would presume to tell you how to do your job, I just-]


                                            >A sentence was scribbled out. She tried to see what the original text said, but it was illegible.


                                            >[I suppose I should explain with a bit of context. I'm not from Equestria. Back home, I used to watch the sunsets as often as I could. No matter how bad my days would get, taking the time to watch the setting sun always brought me a deep sense of peace.]

                                            >[I've adjusted to life in my new home as well as anypony could expect. However, I'm still separated from my family and loved ones, with no way to ever return. But I find myself in a country ruled by a princess who controls the sun! I've been told time and again that you are a benevolent leader, one who truly cares for her subjects. That's why I write to you today... I'm simply seeking a sense of peace, a brief respite from the grief in my heart; one that you could personally create. The colors of an Equestrian sunset is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, but it fades so quickly.]

                                            >[I humbly ask you to let the sun linger around the horizon tonight, longer than you normally would.]

                                            >[Forgive me for not personally presenting this request to you at court. Please understand that my wish for an extended sunset (and the reasons behind that desire) are intensely personal. It's not something I'd feel comfortable subjecting to the scrutiny of the general public.]

                                            >[I hope you'll grant your subject this one selfish wish, so that he may feel at peace, and at home, in Equestria.]


                                            >[With utmost sincerity,]

                                            >[?]


                                            >Raven internally debated whether or not she should speak up. Celestia had remained silent for several minutes since she read the letter.

                                            >The unicorn mare watched Celestia's eyes return to the top of the letter. She watched the princess read the letter again, and again, and again.

                                            >"My princess... is there something wrong?"

                                            "Somepony asks for my help."

                                            >"How... how is this different from the dozens of petitioners you address daily?"

                                            >Celestia looked up from the parchment, staring off into a distant corner of the throne room.

                                            "His request was much more personal," she answered quietly. "He is in pain."

                                            >Raven's concerned look went unnoticed.

                                            >For all intents and purposes, Celestia ceased to exist in the throne room, as she was consumed by the prospect of feeling a genuine, personal connection to somepony she could help.

                                            >"How so, Your Majesty?" Raven asked, pulling the princess back to reality.

                                            "He is alone, in distress, and I am in a unique position to ease his pain. As Celestia, not Princess Celestia," the princess explained. She closed her eyes and continued. "He may not have stated that explicitly, but I... I can just feel it."

                                            >Raven nodded in understanding. They stood silently for a while.

                                            "I will help him."

                                            >The princess opened her eyes. A fire burned deep within her magenta irises.

                                            "By my burning sun, I will help him."


                                            ...


                                            >"Dearest Sister, what are you doing?"

                                            "Lowering the sun, Lulu."

                                            >"I can see THAT. Why are you going about it so slowly?"

                                            >Celestia shot Luna a glare.

                                            "Does it matter how I lower my sun?" she snapped at her younger sister. "It will set on time, and the harmony of the heavens will be preserved."

                                            >Painful silence followed.

                                            >"Tia, I... I didn't mean anything by it," Luna replied softly, turning to leave. "I was simply curious."

                                            >Large white wings reached out and pulled the blue alicorn back out on the balcony, into the setting sun's light. A scroll hovered before Luna's muzzle in a golden glow.

                                            >Luna secured the scroll in her own aura. Understanding dawned on her face with every line she read.

                                            >"I see now," she said, rolling up the parchment. "It's very sweet of you to do this, Tia."

                                            "I've raised and lowered my sun countless times, Lulu. It's been my duty for ages. Today... today it feels different."

                                            >"Because of the letter."

                                            "Yes. It offered me a new perspective on something that I've 'gone through the motions' with for longer than I care to admit. It feels much more... meaningful. Despite everypony depending on the sun rising each day, I'm sure most take it for granted. I've done it without fail for ages, after all. But with the sunset, I... I now have a special connection with somepony through this act."


                                            ...


                                            >He stood facing west atop a lush green hill on the outskirts of Ponyville.

                                            >Despite waiting motionless for some time, his heart beat furiously.

                                            >He watched the sun with trepidation as is began its steady descent.

                                            >Did she get his letter?

                                            >The burning yellow orb didn't show any signs of slowing down.

                                            >A disappointed sigh broke the silence. It was foolish to think that an immortal demigoddess would-

                                            >The western sky seemed to burn orange. The sun slowed to a snail's pace as it sunk below the mountainous horizon.

                                            >Memories flooded back. Fishing with his grandfather. Hiking with his parents. Cherished moments with his friends. His first kiss.

                                            >Though fully obscured by the mountains, the sun lingered just behind the horizon, painting the sky with a myriad of hues, a breathtaking blend of pinks, oranges, and reds that even the most skilled painter could never hope to replicate.

                                            >For the first time since his arrival, he felt hope. In that moment, he didn't feel alone.

                                            >But there was something more, something different to this sunset; an ethereal quality.

                                            >In that fleeting beauty there was connection to kindness, to empathy, to her.

                                            >He fell to his knees and wept.


                                            ...


                                            >Celestia stood on her balcony, bathed in pale moonlight.

                                            >The tears started to flow freely when she held the sun below the horizon.

                                            >They came without warning and of their own volition, those foreign feelings of pain, of loss, of loneliness. She was consumed, overwhelmed by them for several minutes.

                                            >But those feelings were replaced by ones of hope and gratitude. By the time she had concluded her celestial task, the princess felt a sense of much-needed closure, a newfound tranquility that didn't belong to her, but in which she nonetheless shared.

                                            >Indeed, she did experience a special connection with somepony that evening.

                                            >If only she could discover who that somepony was.


                                            ...


                                            >A new letter arrived the next afternoon much like the first; preceded by a flash of light.


                                            >[Princess Celestia,]


                                            >[Words can't describe how grateful I am. Last night's sunset was unlike anything I've ever seen. I was reminded of all the love and light in my "previous life", but it wasn't bittersweet. I finally feel like I can move on, and I have you to thank for that.]


                                            >[There was more I felt last night, but perhaps I am reading too much into it. Please know that I will be eternally thankful for what you did. You've helped heal my aching heart. Because of you, I'm free.]


                                            >[Frankly, you've restored my will to carry on.]


                                            [From now on, when I look to the west in the evenings, I will be thinking of you.]


                                            >[With gratitude,]

                                            >[?]


                                            >[P.S., if you care to reply, write to me in the sky. I'll be watching.]


                                            ...


                                            >[Celestia,]


                                            >[For the first few evenings following "our" first shared sunset, I thought that you continued to lower the sun slowly out of sympathy for me. As more weeks passed, I felt as if there was something deeper to how you still slowly set the sun. Now, some six months after my first letter, I am nearly convinced of it.]


                                            >[You've grown quite adept at painting the sky with your sun's fading light.]


                                            >[There's a verse from a religious text from my former home, 'You will know a tree by its fruit... a good tree cannot bear bad fruit.' I'm paraphrasing, but the point remains. By your works, I feel like I have come to know you. You are a good mare, Celestia. When I look to the west every evening, I feel like I'm connected to you. When I see the sky turn orange, I feel the love you have for your subjects. When the sky burns a little more red than usual, I just know you've had a trying day.]


                                            >[When I see the clouds glowing pink in the evening sun, I feel... I feel as if your heart longs for another, as mine does.]


                                            >[It's times like these I regret sending these letters anonymously. The unicorn who magically sends them for me wishes that I would just reveal my identity and send my letters my other means. To be fair, I had initially intended my first letter to be a one-time affair. Then you granted my wish, and I was obliged to write again to express my gratitude. But you continued to speak to me, baring your emotions for all the world to see, but in a language that only I could decipher.]


                                            >[Have I become presumptuous? Do you feel as I do?]


                                            >[If I may continue to be bold with you, I'll ask for another favor. Send me a signal this evening, an unmistakable sign of your feelings. Even if your response is not the one I yearn for, I must know.]


                                            >[Until then, I remain yours,]

                                            >[?]


                                            ...


                                            >He stood on the hill, as he had every evening since that first sunset.

                                            >Neither snow nor rain could keep him from holding his daily communion.

                                            >The sky was dreary. Heavy grey rain clouds littered the sky, obscuring all views of the sun and the horizon.

                                            >It did not bode well.

                                            >Soft steady hoofsteps reached his ears, heralding the approach of a pony.

                                            >"Well howdy, sugarcube!"

                                            "Hey, A.J. What's up?"

                                            >"Nothin' much, partner. Ah see ya comin' up here every evening, rain or shine, and ah thought today'd be a good day to ask ya 'bout it."

                                            "Oh! Well, between you and me, I come up here to meet with somepony. I've grown quite fond of her over the past several months."

                                            >"Wait, you've got yerself a special somepony?"

                                            "Not exactly. She knows about my feelings for her."

                                            >"And what? Does she not like ya back?"

                                            "That's just it, I don't know. I'm waiting to find out. Waiting for a sign."

                                            >"Ah'm not sure ah follow, sugarcube. And just who is this mare? Ah don't recall ever seeing-"

                                            >*BOOM*

                                            >A thunderous blast of golden magic ripped across the sky, racing towards the western horizon.

                                            >The skies cleared in its wake, save for a few clouds that hung above the mountains. Mountains that now were now visible, as was the sun that dropped behind them.

                                            >A sun that painted the sky and the remaining clouds a beautiful deep pink hue.


                                            ...


                                            "Twilight! It's wonderful to see you and your friends again! I'm glad you could attend."

                                            >"Of course, Princess! You know we would never miss the Grand Galloping Gala!"

                                            "You had asked for an additional ticket this year. Who was it for?"

                                            >"Oh! I'm surprised he hasn't arrived yet, he-"

                                            >Celestia watched Twilight speak, and she heard the words, but they didn't register in her mind.

                                            >It had been increasingly difficult for the princess to focus on anything.

                                            >She had sent her signal as requested. It was as obvious as it could possibly be.

                                            >It didn't matter that the display had whipped Canterlot and the surrounding area into a panicked frenzy, her mysterious friend needed to know how she felt.

                                            >Correspondence from her anonymous admirer had ceased. He had never been silent for two weeks before!

                                            'Smile, Celestia,' she thought. 'The Gala is young, and you still need to be the poised princess everypony expects you to be. Oh, it would be so much easier if he would reach out!'

                                            >Luna seemed to sense the topic of her sister's inner monologue. "Steady, Tia," she whispered in Celestia's ear. "I will aid you in your search once the Gala has concluded."


                                            ...


                                            "For you!" he replied with a boisterous laugh.

                                            >The man wiped a mirthful tear away with his fist and surveyed the scene. Several heads were tilted in apparent confusion.

                                            "Sorry... it's a human thing. A bit of context is required to understand that one."

                                            >The ambient lighting became noticeably dimmer, prompting the man to unbutton his tuxedo jacket and retrieve a pocket watch from his vest pocket. He gasped when he realized what time it was.

                                            "My apologies, there's something that I must attend to. I'll return later."

                                            >A set of eyes watched the strange tall being from a distance, tracking his progress as he navigated through the crowds. The eyes' owner moved to follow the human out into the garden.

                                            >The human's brisk walk became a jog.

                                            >Sounds of the Gala faded as he traveled deeper into the castle's gardens, searching for an area that would afford him both the vantage point and the privacy he desired.

                                            'You can do this. Just watch the sunset one last time, then introduce yourself. Don't leave her hanging another night!'

                                            >The path he tread terminated at an overlook on the edge of the castle grounds. Nearby, Canterlot's many waterfalls flowed unimpeded to the valley floor hundreds of meters below.

                                            >Just in time.

                                            >The sun sank slowly, as it had for months. His heart fluttered at the sight before him.

                                            >Hoofsteps approached from the rear.

                                            >"Do you enjoy sunsets?" an unfamiliar, but lovely, female voice asked.

                                            "I live for them," he replied, still facing the western horizon.

                                            >"And why is that?"

                                            "It's how I commune with somepony I adore... a mare I've never met, but one with whom I'm hopelessly in love."

                                            >A stifled gasp reached his ears, but he couldn't be bothered to divert his attention from the sunset. It didn't deter his visitor.

                                            >"Forgive me, I don't know your name, Mister..."

                                            "Anonymous."

                                            >"Of course you are," the voice chuckled. "How fitting, since you sign all those lovely letters with nothing more than a question mark."

                                            >Anonymous gasped and whirled around to face the source of the voice.

                                            >Before him was Princess Celestia in the flesh, dressed in an exquisite maroon gown.

                                            >"I knew I would find you," she said with conviction and shimmering eyes, "and now I have!"

                                            >Anonymous stared at the gorgeous mare, mouth agape in shock, unable to speak.

                                            >Celestia's expression grew somber. "Why did you stop writing, Anonymous? Was my 'proclamation' not clear enough? Or... or did you have a change of heart?"

                                            >Anonymous shook his head violently.

                                            "No! Nothing of the sort! I was so taken aback by your proclamation, I... I... I didn't know how to proceed. I had drafted dozens of replies, but none of them 'felt' right. Then Twilight was able to get me a ticket to the Gala, so I decided that I'd introduce myself here, tonight."

                                            >He closed the distance with the princess in three long strides.

                                            "I'm sorry for any worries or doubt that I caused you these past two weeks. I-"

                                            >A set of lips pressed against the man's, cutting him off.

                                            >The kiss was passionate. It was honest. It was full of emotion. It was long overdue.

                                            >"I know," Celestia replied after breaking the kiss.

                                            >She looked up at him, her gorgeous magenta eyes sparkling with joyful tears.

                                            >"And I love you too, Anonymous."


                                            End