>You’ve gotten things done early to visit Twilight, and just arrived at Golden Oaks. >Knocking, you wait around and hope she is up. >Surely with magic she could help Addie fly, even if it’s only for a little bit, right? >The door opens and Spike greets you. >”Morning Anon, what are you doing here this early?” “Morning Spike, is Twilight up? I got to ask her some questions and possibly a favor.” >He nods and calls out. >”Hey Twi, Anon is here to see you!” >He heads back in with you following him. >Books in a few stacks nearby, more or less the same as you last saw it. >Twilight comes out of the kitchen with a smile on her face. >”Good morning Anon, what can I help you with?” “Hey there, do you know any flying spells?” >She blinks and frowns. >”Anon, I’m not sure what that kinda of spell would do to you, so I’m afraid I can’t help you.” >You chuckle and shake your head. “Poorly worded, my bad. What I meant was, do you know of any flying spells for a pony.” >Her eyebrows raise and she nods. >”Yes of course, one actually, but unfortunately it’s quite difficult to cast and the wings are very fragile.” >Well shit. >”Though I have to ask, who are you asking for about this spell?” >You’d tell Twilight, but you don’t want to upset Addie. “A friend of mine, she wants to fly.” >”A friend of yours? That’s wonderful to hear Anon! Please tell me all about her. I want to write to the princess on how you made your first friend.” >Her horn lights up and a parchment with quill float in front of her. >You’d rather not spend all day answering Twilight’s questions, like you tried to do when you mentioned the internet. “I’ll explain later, is there any other way for a pony to fly?” >Twilight scrunches, but sighs. >She floats the parchment and quill back to their previous places. >”Fine, but other than some vehicles, like a balloon, there isn’t much to say. Of course there is a history of ponies trying to fly that aren’t pegasus ponies of course.” >Now you’ve done it. >Her horn ignites again, and several books float around her as she beams. >”One of the earliest recorded cases was the Flight Brothers attempting to fly using a self propelled machine on the Firefly runway. Of course it didn’t work, but that didn’t stop them from attempting-” >You cut her off. “Please, no history lessons today.” >She gives you a small glare and huffs. >”It’s actually interesting when you give it a chance.” >Probably is, but that’s not what you’re here for. “Do you know of any ponies who deal with flight? They might be able to help.” >Setting the books down, she brings her hoof to her chin and starts to think. >”Hmm...Actually, there is several in the town. I can give you a list of names, but to be honest, they will likely tell you the same thing I did.” “Doesn’t matter, I’ll give it a shot.” >Her smile widens. >”I haven’t known you for that long Anon, but it’s surprising to see somepony mean this much to you. Is she your marefriend by any chance?” >Where the fuck did that come from? “What? No, she’s my friend. I have only known for a little under a week.” >Twilight giggles and waves her hoof. >”Sorry, had to tease you a little. Give me just a moment to get the names for you.” >You know Rarity can be like that, but seeing Twilight do it, is a little worrying. >As she is writing down the names, you look at the nearby clock to see how much time you have left. >It’s going to be cutting it close, but you did tell her around noon, so there’s that. >As soon as Twilight floats you the letter, you dash outside quickly. “Thanks Twilight, see you later!” >You hear her call out as you leave. >”You’re welcome, but remember to tell me later for the letter to the princess!” >You’re borderline running, trying not to run into anypony. >Along the way you think back to what was said. >Are you two really friends? >Probably, she did confide in you about her dreams. >As for what you’re doing for her, yeah that is a bit much for someone you barely know. >Why are you doing this? >It’s not like you two are dating, but you feel some kind of compulsion to help her. >A need to care for another? >Yeah, lets go with that. >You arrive at Addie’s and knock at the door a little winded. >Got to start working out more. >The locks get undone and Addie opens the door. “Hi Addie.” >Her gold eyes focus on you, and she doesn’t appear to be as frightened as previously. >”...H-hello Anon...Come inside...” >You follow her in and walk to the center of the room. >”...Um Anon…?” >Looking over to Addie, she is nervously shuffling. >Probably wants to try something different. >”...Could you sit by the window…?...I’d like to try a different angle...” >Called it. >You bring a chair by the front window and sit. >”...Also, if it-it’s not too much to ask...But could you look out it…?” “Yeah, sure.” >You look out it and eventually you hear her start to sketch away. >Your moving as fast as you can, making sure to make as little mistakes as possible. >Something inside of you drives you to make this a better drawing. >Maybe something more than acceptable. >Doubtful, you never make anything that good. >As you finish putting on the final touches, you notice a few mistakes. >You pause, and let out a small sigh. >How’d you miss those? >Erasing the mistakes, you start up again. >Yesterday you confided in Anon, you’re not sure why. >A part of you screamed no, but the other half said yes. >You stop sketching and look it over again. “...It’s okay...Could be better...” >Looking over to Anon, he is still looking out the window. >You grab the picture and bring it over to him. >As you try to show it to him, he jumps. >”Huh? Oh, you’re finished.” >Strange, this is the first time you actually scared him. >His eyes study the picture and like the previous times, he smiles. >”It looks great, almost like you took a picture of me with a camera.” >Though he says that, you still feel like he is saying that to make you feel better. “...Thank you...How about this time y-you lean against the chair...” >He stands up, goes around and rests his hands on the back of the chair. >”Like this?” “...Yes...That’s per-perfect...” >You trot back to the easel to set up again. >Would be nice if you could stop stuttering around him. >Makes you look like a stupid filly and you know it. >Shaking your head, you start to focus. >Another sheet is ready, and you pick up your pencil to begin. >Though you pause this time. >You take the time to truly take the whole scene in. >Then you begin to sketch. >Try to focus on how his clothes hug his body, the look of concentration on his face. >It’s always the little details that matter the most. >Slowly his form takes shape on the sheet, along with the chair. >You finish up the sketch, adding a last minute shading to his arm. >Your eyes dart back and forth from him to the picture again. >It slowly dawns on you. >This is probably the best sketch you’ve done thus far. >The small bit of joy you feel makes your heart flutter. >You shift from side to side in a little dance. >Anon must’ve noticed and started to talk. >”Are you alright? Is the drawing finished.” >You stop suddenly and your face heats up. “...Ye-yeah it’s all done...Co-come and see...” >As he approaches, you turn your head away from him. >You hear him stand next to you looking at the picture. >What’s gotten into you? >Before you go too deep into thought, he starts to talk. >”Seriously Addie, you should consider seeing if a museum will accept your works.” >You’ve seen plenty of art, this isn’t on the same level. “...I-I’d rather not...” >”I’m not trying to push you, it’s just that good.” “...No, it really isn’t A-Anon...” >You hear him shift and let out a sigh. >”I know you don’t see it, but this is really good Addie. I’d like to help you see that.” >Your feel that feeling from before in your heart again. “...Why...Why help me..?” >”Well, I’d like to think we’re friends, and friends help one another.” >You’ve heard others say that before, but it’s hard to believe it. >Should you really believe him? >Are you two really friends? >… >While you’re not completely sure, you desperately want it to be true. >At least one more shot in your life to see if it’s possible. >You turn your head and look up at him. >He is looking down at you with that smile he likes to wear. “...Yeah...G-guess we are friends...” >Anon’s smile widens. >”Happy to hear that.” >His eyes go up to the nearby clock and his smile fades. >”I’m gonna get going home, take care Addie.” >As he starts to go, you pick up the drawing from earlier and trot over to him. “...Wa-wait...I want you to have this one too...” >He looks at it and gives you a concerned look. >”Are you sure? You already gave me one before.” >You nod. “...Yeah, friends give each other gifts...Right..?” >Anon beams and accepts the picture. >”Yes they do.” “...Goodbye Anon...” >”Goodbye Addie.” >You shut the door behind him and let yourself think aloud again. “...Maybe I can enjoy this for once...Maybe...”