>>Hello, journal. It's me, Anon. I really forgot to write in you for a while. Guess what? I live in Canterlot now! Even better, I live in Princess Celestia's castle too! I get to eat a whole lot of weird, funny looking foods. I get to drink a lot of new types of ciders, juices and even sodas. There's even a big library that I go to basically every day. I learn a lot every day. I think it has been... a month? Longer? Twilight told me to not pay attention to the days anymore since we have calendars. But personally? I don't like them. Some days feel longer than others, so what if they're wrong on a day?
>>I miss Twilight, journal. She is always doing something with Princess Celestia, or is doing something that she says is a secret. I trust her. But I miss her. I love her as much as I always have. And I know she loves me. Her proof is the quill I'm writing with right now! But I miss her! The look in her eye... it worries me.
>>I started working in the library now, journal! Because I have read everything in there, I asked if I could help. I don't get paid, I don't think? I've never gotten any money. But everyone is thankful and I feel happy to do what I do. The head librarian, Phoenix Down, is always happy to see me. She's a bright red pegasus that reads books! I thought pegasi were all about flying and stuff?
>>I saw Twilight today, journal. I'm scared. The way she looked at me, I felt like she didn't even remember me. I know I didn't have to, but I did remind her that it was me. She knew it was me, of course. We spent two days together in her room. It was kinda scary! But fun. My body feels a lot stronger now. I think it's because I eat so much every day and get to walk around everywhere. I won't say I miss Twilight's library. But I miss when we were always together.
>>Good news, journal! Phoenix got a lot of new books in. I'm going to help her after lunch today. I bet she would like Twilight, she's a big fan since word is getting out that she is Princess Celestia's protege. Or is it protégé? It is one of those two
"Hey guys! Nice feather dusters! Wha-don't get mad it was a joke!"
"Can I grab one of those grapes? I'm technically a guest too!"
"Do you have to stand guard here too...? I can't go if I think someone's looking."
>Life in Canterlot Castle has been a lot of fun
>Your name, Anonymous, doesn't really fit in with every other pony
>Your lack of a cutiemark gets brought up too but most seem ok with you saying that it's a secret
>And it is!
>It's a secret even to you
>But it's alright
>Now that you have gotten to know more ponies, you feel pretty safe
>Even better?
>There's an elevator you can use!
>You're told it's for "service" but what is the point of an elevator if it isn't supposed to provide service to ponies with bathmophobia?
>You learned that word in the library
>You think that is what that word is
>You aren't afraid of taking baths...

>Your horn glows a bright green when you reach the library doors
>They open flawlessly
>Your grasp on magic has improved but you haven't learned how to do more... spells?
>Are magic spells?
>Or hexes?
>Curses...?
>You don't know
>Whenever you try to read a book on magic, your head gets fuzzy and you end up closing the book out of reflex
>It does bother you but you really don't need to know how to do certain things
>Twilight once told you that a unicorn's horn exploded because he tried to use magic he could not handle
>That...
>Is enough for you to not want to try your luck
"Hey, Fee! I'm here! Bring on the paper!"
>Your voice rings out into the Canterlot castle library
>You could get lost for entire days in here
>In fact, you DID get lost here for two days when you were first introduced
>"Incoming! Hit the deck!"
>Out of reflex, you drop down to the floor
>Phoenix Down swoops down from behind you
>Her hooves hit the floor only a short distance from your head
>Wide, strong wings haphazardly flap, acting as a parachute to stop her from
>...
>No
>She still ends up unable to stop herself in time
>She tumbles over a cart, crashing
>But at least she missed you
>This time
"...woah. That? Looked like that hurt. You doing alright there?"
>"I'm fine! Totally fine! Just... let me..."
>Her cheerful voice resonates perfectly with the library's acoustic layout
>You've learned about that in a book too
>You eventually rise to your hooves and watch her pick herself up
>The grey robe she wears is more of a safety cushion for her flying
>You've also seen her pull out a lot of quills and tools from inside of there too
>Her thick glasses are crooked but her smile is on right
>Which is good!
>You would hate to see her have some weird, lopsided face
"You... sure you don't need help?"
>"What? Me? Ohhh no no no, it's fine!"
>She shakes herself like a wet dog, no less than four quills popping out from her robe
>Or are they actual feathers?
>"Check it out! The ol... wait..."
>Phoenix spins around, two seconds away from a panic attack until she finds the book in question
>She bites down on the fabric bookmark that seems attached to the cover itself
>She trots up to you, her wings folding and slipping into the robe
>She... doesn't see or fly so good
>So she ended up in a library
>You don't understand the details either
>The book glows with your magic once it's close enough and it lifts from her mouth to the air between you
>"A primer on alicorns! I remember you talking about Twilight Sparkle and how she's training and learning stuff from the Princess directly. Maybe this will help you figure out what all she's learning! Maybe she'll end up a Princess too!"
"Heh, a Princess? I don't know about that..."
>That would be impossible for just a normal pony to end up an alicorn
>Even if Twilight really is beautiful and smart enough to be one
>But that's just your opinion

>"Think about it though! You know her better than anyone here in Canterlot! I bet you know her better than anyone in all of Equestria!"
>That gets you into a blushing, giggling mess
"Oh come on!"
>It's always so exciting to hear other ponies talk about Twilight
>It really reminds you of how lucky you are that she loves you
>It also explains why it seems fitting that she is always... busy
>You sigh and bring the book down to your side
>You start your way to the nearest table
>Phoenix follows you rather closely, the overturned tray and dozens of spilled books ignored
"I may know her better than anypony else... but I still don't know much about her at all. She really does love me, I know it. And I love her. But sometimes I feel like I'm... not really there for her."
>"Well, think about it this way. She's like... SuperStallion! Or WonderMare! She's so gifted at magic that she's the Princess's personal pupil! No doubt if even the sky was falling, she would probably be right there with Princess Celestia!"
"That's..."
>Could you even imagine the sky falling?
>You still half expect the basement roof to be over your head, even now
"Kinda scary to think about. But I guess she really is that powerful, huh."
>"Yeah! She's..."
>Her boundless energy finally mellows out
>The awe in her voice reminds her of yourself
>"Just the greatest. Especially since she has a... ah... oops!"
>While you scan over the book, Phoenix takes a step back
>"I, uh... hm. I-I'm gonna pick up those books! Don't worry about helping quite yet, go ahead and read through it more!"
>Well that was weird
>But you do take her up on her offer
>If Twilight really could match the Princess for magical power
>If she could end up as... an alicorn...
>What would that make you to her?
>Do you become an alicorn like her too?
>Your mind continues to wander while you read through the most boring sections and table of contents
>Most of it you will probably skip
>You can't help but wonder
>If she becomes an alicorn, will she get wings too?
>And get even taller?
>You thought it was your imagination
>But last time you saw her, you were definitely taller
>Maybe you should look up if magic causes mares to shrink
>Anything to help you understand and help Twilight

>Before you know it, you went from relying on the vibrant sunlight to a more meek, flickering candle
>Phoenix must have set it up for you
>You gotta thank her for that
>"Hey, Anon? Are you gonna stay there all night? I finished up with everything."
>Her voice is all that it takes for your focus to shatter
"Huh? Oh. Really? It's not even..."
>Your quizzical frown shows just how little you paid attention to the world outside the book
"...that's weird. I guess that only really happens when I read something important. Mind if I just leave this on the table, even if it's new?"
>Phoenix Down's giggle bleeds into a yawn
>"Yeah right! I saw you put that much effort into a cookbook!"
"Hey, it's not impossible that my cooking might save Equestria!"
>"I've never once even seen you prepare tea!"
"Y-we... tea isn't cooking anyway!"
>You head out with her, both laughing at the other
>Night time in Canterlot Castle used to be downright horrifying to you
>Not only was everything so dark, the normally joyous chambers and halls were empty and as dead as a graveyard
>Not that you've ever stepped into one
>The only solace is when you find a night time guard or service mare
>Avoiding all sources of stairs, you both stop at the grand entrance
>"Well... this is it."
"Yeah..."
>You've promised Twilight that you would only ever leave the castle with her
>Phoenix knows that
>Everyone in the castle knows that
>You're pretty sure everyone in Equestria knows that, given how you're treated with such foal gloves in town
>"Hey, I have an idea!"
>She clops her front legs down on the stone
>"We're having a little party for Tough Duster tomorrow evening, and it'll technically be in the castle! Do you want to go to it with me? There will be cake and punch and it will be really fun to... see everypony there!"
>She looks excited
>It doesn't take much for you to get excited either
"Cake!? Oh snap, and crackle. And pop! I'm in!"
>You don't really need to know what type of cake it is to know you are all stomach
"Tough Duster, too...? Man, she's like... old, old. Older than Princess Celestia, even!"
>"I know! But she's as giddy as ever, she's really wanting to make this year special!"
"If she means "special" by "me eating as much cake as I can get my hooves on", it sure will!"
>You share a few more laughs before it dies down
>She sighs, smiling
>"Well. If you don't stop by the library tomorrow, I'll come find you. I'm looking forward to it already!"
"Yeah! Have a great night, Phoenix, I'll skip lunch just to prepare!"
>"Yeah... good night, Anonymous."
>Like something is trying to stop her, she gives you one last smile and heads home
>You've never seen her home
>It's probably covered in feathers and books
"Ahh... cake..."
>Maybe it's chocolate
>Or berry
>Wait
>Don't only pies have berries?
>No, because strawberry shortcake is a cake
>Right?
>It's in the name
>You struggle to recall the intricacies of the underground culinary world on your way back to your room

>By the time you reach your room, Princess Luna is well into her duty of raising the moon and bringing the gloomy glory of night to the land
>You know it IS a very valuable position, but you are never awake long enough to see all of the night happen
>It must be as magical as the day
>You sit on your pillow-chair-cushion
>You really aren't sure what it is, but it's very comfy to write and read on
>For some reason you keep wishing that it was a couch
>Not like the ones you've seen in the waiting rooms
>But something old, busted, and... tall
>Taller than the ones in the waiting rooms
>Some of the older books you used to read had couches in them
>You think you even talked to Anon in Ponyville about one
>You think?
>It has gotten harder to remember those days
"...Twilight, if I asked you to see me, would you?"
>You speak aloud while looking out one of the frankly ludicrously tall windows
>You used to panic at even looking outside
>But it really is not as scary anymore
>"Of course, Anon! What's up?"
>The sudden voice behind you causes you to shriek and fall off of your cushion
>You look behind you and see...
>It is!
"Twilight!"
>Like an animal, you dive for her
>"Anon, n~"
>You successfully tackle her, thankfully onto one of the dozens of rugs around, and pelt her with kisses from her chest to her face
>"Anon, please! You're acting like I haven't seen you in weeks!"
"But it's been DAYS!"
>You eventually stop, only for her to steal a kiss
"What's up? Are you stopping by just to say "hi"? Are you taking a vacation? Can we go do something outside of the castle? I've missed you."
>"Well, I have been with the Princess for a long while and... well, let's just say that progress is really coming around. I think we're getting close to... a breakthrough. Of sorts."
>She pushes her front hoof against your chest and you back off
>Despite the powerfully painful throbbing that has come out of nowhere
>She
>Has that effect on you
>You sometimes wonder if it is on purpose
"That... that's awesome, Twilight."
>You're happy for her
>Of course you are
>But you still genuinely have no clue what she is even doing
>All you know is that it has something to do with the Princess
>The thought of Twilight looking good enough to eat transfers your mind to cake
>The birthday!
"Twilight!"
>You cheerfully call out with an equally pleasant pulse
>The smile she gives you is nice and naughty all at once
>"Mmm... yes, Anon?"
"Phoenix Down and I are going to a party together, it's to celebrate Tough Duster! It's gonna have cake and punch and probably even more things than that!"
>Your lower wand flares up with it's own magic
>"...with who, Anon?"
"Phoenix Down! She's the head librarian, she and I work in the lib-"
>A bright, swirling purple vortex goes over your lower body
>The sweet, succulent smile she had turns...
>Frightening
>"What are you doing with another mare? Do you want to abandon me, Anon?"
>You try to speak up but her magic strangles... some of you

>She takes a step toward you, until her head is right below yours
>"Do you? Answer me."
"N-no! Never!"
>You nearly scream your words
>Last you recall, you at least had your door closed
>But you worry about the open air windows...
>"Look at me, Anon."
>You do as you're told
>You are taller than her
>Especially when you sit up straight
>The second your eyes meet, she stamps her hoof onto your wand
>"Am I your princess, Anon?"
>What in Equestria is-
>She twists her hoof
"Ye-AH-YES!"
>You're sure she could have severed something if she tried harder
>"Say it."
"P-princess Twilight!"
>"Say it!"
"You're my princess!"
>"SAY IT ANONYMOUS!"
"PRINCESS, PLEASE!"
>You don't know when but she started giggling
>But not the "that was so funny" sort
>The way she's leering at you
>Staring
>Looking down at you, somehow from below
>"THAT'S RIGHT! I AM YOUR PRINCESS! NOT ANY MARE ELSE, UNDERSTAND?!"
>The magic swirls harder
>You can feel it start to raise up to envelop your chest
>Your answer is a scream you're sure only dogs can hear
>"SCREAM! TELL THE WORLD WHO YOU BELONG TO!"
>You obey
>A blinding, stupefying battle between green and purple magic takes place before your eyes
>Or is it inside of them?
>You hear a magic bubble audibly pop, followed by the sound of liquid hitting something
>"HA HA YES! GOOD BOY!"
>You can smell it
>You don't have the senses or comprehension to stop your body from hitting the floor
>You think you landed on stone instead of a rug
>The giggling wraps into your head, coiling around your brain like a constricting ribbon
>"Now Anon... I will gladly go with you to the party. But. We will go together. Do not go with her. No matter what. Do you u̸̗̓n̴̾d̶͈͑é̶̦r̸͚͌ś̵ͅť̴̩a̸͇͒n̴̖̈d̴̜̎?̴̛̠"
"̶̻͝Y̵̡͐e̷̫̐s̶̞̋ ̴͔̓p̶͕̚r̶̳̃í̶̮n̷̺͛c̶̹͆e̸̺͠s̸̝̃s̸̨͒.̴̗͑"̵̨̏
>̶̞̀Ỷ̵͈o̶̝͒ű̷̘ṟ̵͋ ̵̩̋c̵̪̈́o̸̭͛n̷̜̾ŝ̶̩c̶͈͋ĭ̵̬ŏ̶͚u̵̺̒ṣ̸̊n̸͙̐ẹ̵̈s̷̺̒s̸̙̿ ̴̬̒f̵̟͂ḁ̵̃d̴̨͝e̸̗͊s̵̛͎,̸̰͑ ̸̤͊a̷̘͒l̶̘͝l̶͇̓ ̶̜͆o̸̳̊f̶̠̉ ̷͚̔t̶̢͋h̸̒ē̷̠ ̵̭͂s̶̖̃ẗ̴̥r̵̗͆e̸͉n̶̪̏g̸̠͐t̶̙̀h̴͍̀ ̷͈̚f̷̹̿ó̸̺r̷͍̔c̶̈ē̵̥f̵̢͠u̴̮̐l̸̩̽l̸͕̈́y̵͎̍ ̶̱̚m̴̰̏į̸̓l̵͕͊ǩ̶ͅë̷̱́d̴̫͌ ̸̹̈́f̷̪͝ȑ̴̺o̶̺͐m̸̠̊ ̶̺̇y̶̝̕o̷̜͋ǘ̸̟r̷̻̽ ̵̱͘b̵̻̌o̶̼͋d̴̫̿y̵̿͜
̴͝>̴͕̓Ẃ̸͇ọ̷̀r̵͕̄ś̸̳e̸̫̕,̷̞̊ ̶̫̊ý̷͈o̴̬͛ù̷̦ ̴̪̄ċ̶̦a̷̹̕n̷̟̄ ̷̻̉s̷̟̈́t̷͌͜ḭ̵̀l̸̘̿l̵̙͋ ̸̰̍f̴͖̈́e̸̦̓e̷̯͝ḻ̶͒ ̶̣͛h̴͓̑e̷͚͋ȓ̸̢ ̸̙m̷̫͋a̷̝̒g̶̬͐i̸̗͌c̴͈̿ ̵͇͋ṱ̴̃ṳ̴̉g̵͔̀g̷̳̑ī̷͈ṅ̵̥g̵̩̉ ̴̦̃a̵͉͐n̴̫̽d̶̹͌ ̵͖͗w̷̘͋r̸̞̂e̷͍̊ń̶͇c̵̠̾h̸̜̑ị̸̓n̷͔͒g̶͇͛ ̶͍̀a̸̜̾t̷̨́ ̶͈̑y̶͕͆ò̸̼u̵͍͐
̸͖͗>̴̪̾Y̴̗̋o̶̜̾u̶̦͝ ̵̼͋d̸͖̐o̶͓͑ ̵̧̈n̷̜̓o̷̭͛t̵̩͆ ̶̨̛h̶̭̎à̵͙v̷̩̎e̴͇͂ ̷̖̈́ṯ̴̽h̴͝ͅe̸̖ ̵̼̈́ȩ̶̕ǹ̴̫ȇ̷͙r̸̻̈́g̴̮͂y̶̨̓ ̵̹̓t̶̨̄o̸͉ ̴̰̀s̸̈́ͅt̴͚̍o̶͇̿p̴̿ ̴͖̃í̷͉t̸̨̒
̴̮͊>̵̦̈T̷͈͑w̷͙̄ị̶́l̴̗̚i̸̱g̵̺͛h̷͈̓ẗ̷͙
̴̜̂>̷̞͂Ẅ̴͙́h̶̬̆y̸̝͘ ̷̟̓d̷͕̒o̶̭͋e̶̡͋s̵͕̿ ̸̻͊ḯ̶̼t̷͕̀ ̷̑h̴͖̒á̴̘v̵̪̀ê̴͜ ̵͍́t̷̹̒ȏ̶͔ ̵̹̚h̵̽u̸̻̽ŕ̸̩t̵̙͑ ̶̰̋l̶͖̉i̶̡̋k̴͈̈́ẻ̶̫ ̶̼́t̸̝̐h̸̰̿i̸̥̔s̸̙̓

>>Good morning, journal! I think I fell asleep on the cushion. Again. I really should use the bed one of these nights, shouldn't I? I feel so sore all over... am I getting old?! Nah... it can't be that. Maybe I should go to the infirmary and get a checkup. But until then, there's a birthday today! Twilight told me about how one of our oldest service mares is having a huge blowout with cake and punch and... well, whatever people have at those! I can't wait to go with her. I want to skip breakfast but I'm so hungry I could eat a castle! But maybe I shouldn't write that sort of thing. The guards look at me funny enough as is. It's not like I can actually eat that much, right? And what can eat stones and books anyway?

>Your morning journey to the library is a calm one
>Only now have you realized that you forgot to eat dinner last night...
>And you haven't eaten anything for breakfast
>You can't
>Because party foods are waiting for you with your name on them
>They will most likely have Tough Duster's name on them but that's fine too!
>As happy-and hungry-as you are, you can't help but notice that some of the service mares are looking at you funny
>Less "on man, Anon you sure are a hoot" funny
>And more "ew, he's here" funny
>You try to ignore the awkward glances until you end up galloping into a service elevator right before it goes down
>A maid mare wasn't expecting you and the look on her face says she hoped you wouldn't be so fast
"Good morning! Today is Tough Duster's birthday, isn't that cool?"
>She answers with a sheepish smile
"That's awesome... I hope my birthday will be like hers."
>No reply
>Is it just you or is this elevator slow?
>You can feel the awkward energy like it is a magic wall
>You try to not look at her
>...
>...
>...
>Nope
>You can't not ask
"H... hey. Why is everyone looking at me funny today? You're doing it too."
>The maid mare grimaces at your question
>"..."
"...no one's suddenly forgotten about me, right? I've lived here for months now!"
>No reply
>Oh no
>Is it possible that they forgot?!
"...M-my name is Anonymous. If you've forgotten."
>"Please stop talking to me."
>It's less a mean comment and more a plead
>That somehow makes it hurt so much worse
"...oh... ok. I'm really sorry."
>That short, painful response is enough to make you feel like you're still in Ponyville
>Just like how everyone used to treat you the first time you went outside
>But things aren't like that now
>Right?
>Those thoughts and the grumbling in your empty belly keep you occupied on your way to the library
>At least the library is safe
>No one ever even goes there unless they're scholars or a from a class of magic students
>Phoenix Down is at the front desk, scribbling something down with a quill
>The quill might be made from one of her own red feathers
>She'll know how to help cheer you up
"Hey, good and morning!"
>You prop your front hoofs up on the desk with your best winning smile
>Phoenix stops and smiles at you
>Is she blushing
>She quickly scribbles down what was left and lets the quill drop
>"H-hey there! I'm... uh, surprised to see you up and around."
>She's acting funny too
>But not like the others
>This doesn't stop you from feeling better but it pokes a hole in your balloon
"Now you're saying weird things... what's going on? Do I have something on my face?"
>"What? No, your face is fine!"
"Did I hurt someone's feelings?"
>"Why would you say that?"
"Because everyone's acting like I'm a weirdo!"
>Some might call it petty
>But it is too important to you to merely ignore
"Because...no one wants to even look at me today!"
>As if you declared a challenge, Phoenix squints hard and stares at you
>She's
>She's uh...
>Kinda really staring you down

>You stretch your head to the right
>Her eyes follow
>You stretch your head to the left
>Her eyes still follow
>You lower your head until just your eyes and mane are over the edge of the desk
>Her eyes widen and she lifts her head up to look down at you
>Alright, that is pretty scary
"O-ok, I get it! But... that doesn't help explain why I'm suddenly the horse with eight legs or something."
>Phoenix giggles
>"Well, I don't know about eight..."
>A cold panic washing over your body, you look down at yourself
>Two front legs
>Two back legs
>Your tail isn't nearly big enough to count as a leg
>And it isn't even the same color as your legs
"...well no? Just four legs?"
>The bookmare sighs
>"Do you really not know?"
"How could I know?! What is there to know?"
>You examine your sides while speaking
>Just in case there's a weird growth
>Or a second horn growing
>"Word around the castle is that last night you got pretty loud and... uh..."
>Loud?
>Your head darts up
>This time you don't hit the desk
>Nice reflexes, Anon
"Loud about what? I usually just read in my room. Or sleep. I do a lot of sleeping in my room."
>Somehow, Fee's face looks far more red than normal
>Which is funny because her fur is already red
>Al-red-E
>You should write that one down, that would make for a good joke
>"You were having a one-pony party, Anon! And you were so loud I think even I heard you from way down in town!"
>She practically screams at you, ending her burst of voice with her wings poofing out and her front legs going to cover her face
>A one-pony party...?
>That doesn't...
>Ỷ̵̞ò̵͙ù̵̡ ̴̛̳d̶̦̏ö̴̼́ ̴̢́n̸͎̄o̷͉͒t̶̜̔ ̷̧̃r̵̮͝ė̴̗c̸̩̊a̷̯̒l̴̟̎l̴̥̂
"I... that's weird. If I did, I would have brought food. And I didn't have anything to eat."
>Your lack of awareness or shame causes her to peek out from behind her hooves
"I guess I did dream about Twilight... but I don't talk in my dream... do I?"
>"You do look a little on the sleepy side... are you saying you really weren't...?"
"Weren't doing what?"
>If this is a game, you are not having any fun
"I wasn't having any sort of... parties. That's supposed to be for tonight! And parties have food anyway!"
>Phoenix's hooves and wings slowly drop down
>Her wings seem to twitch upward every so often on the way down
>"...maybe it was just a dream then that you had. Or a nightmare."
>You shrug
"I wish I knew. I went to sleep, woke up, wrote in my journal as I always do, came down here and... now I'm talking to you. I kinda do that sort of thing almost every day. Where do I have the time to go to a party without at least inviting my best friend in the castle?"
>Red pegasus wings spread out again, catching you off guard
"Gah! Easy with those things! They're massive."
>Her wings are very big...
>It's nice
>It's a nice trait to have, rather
>"S-sorry. I guess I'm... uh... oh hey!"
>She scrambles at her desk for a moment before revealing a fancy looking piece of paper
>"Good news, and perfect distraction!"
"Distraction from wha-"

>"I SAID A DISTRACTION! Twilight's having some ponies send flyers out all around the castle! Tough Duster's party is gonna be even bigger than we initially planned! Twilight got one of the bigger conference chambers to house the party instead of letting it be in the kitchen or the cafeteria! Look at it!"
>She punches it at you, nearly hitting your face
>You hold the paper with your magic to read it safely
>No changes to the party plans
>Extra bits are being paid so the party planner can bring even more food
>A local pair of young bucks are going to play a rock concert about Canterlot's history?
>AND that even doubles as a grade for their history class?!
"...oh wow."
>All of it is officially signed by Twilight Sparkle
"I guess it makes sense that she asked me to go with her."
>You hear a gasp behind the paper
>You lower it to see a surprised expression on the red mare
"What's up, Fee?"
>"I thought... well, I mean..."
"You're going to be there, right? It wouldn't be right if you weren't there."
>The shock melts into a smile
>"Abso-positively-lutely! Ha ha, I guess you can't deny someone like her if she asks you for something huh... ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃᶦnˢ ˡᵃˢᵗ nᶦᵍʰᵗ..."
"What was that?"
>"Nothing! Nothing at all."
>She looks around the library
>After a few seconds of feeling like you're missing something, you look with her
"What? Who's there?"
>"You're a complete dork, Anon... and I guess you really do mean it when you say you love Twilight."
"I do! I absolutely love Twilight."
>"Yeah... ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵉᵃˢʸ ᵇᵉᶦnᵍ ᶜᵉˡᵉˢᵗᶦᵃ'ˢ ᶠᵃᵛᵒʳᶦᵗᵉ ᵃnᵈ nᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉn ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵃ..."
>She mutters under her breath
>Are you not supposed to hear her?
>Because you can not tell what which word is where
>"Before you go back to your desk... Anon, can I ask you something?"
"Go for it!"
>Your desk really isn't all that different from a normal library table
>Only she has the real desk in the entire library, since it is official and more business-like
>"If... you didn't love Twilight. Is there another mare that you would love? Or really like?"
"Well sure! Why do you ask?"
>"No reason. I know the party is tonight but..."
>She leans forward and squints
>She speaks out of the corner of her mouth
>""I... uh... snuck a cupcake from the first batch. It's on your desk. Green icing and a pair of raisin oatmeal cookies."
>This information makes the entire morning go from crummy to golden crumbly
"For me?!"
>Like it is a castle secret, she keeps her serious face and nods twice
>"Better gobble up the evidence before any witnesses see it."
"Awesome! Aw man, you're the best Fee!"
>You gallop toward your desk
>Well, you gallop for maybe two steps
>Then you remember that this is a library
>No running or galloping allowed
>So instead you trot really fast
>Phoenix really is great
>You should absolutely introduce her to Twilight