81 replies to this topic

[PonyHooves]

"Thank ye'. Ye've been so kind ta me." Paw Print responded. She felt very greatful for everything Silver Wish had done for her and Tricks. Tricks was sitting down patiently. He did not make even the smallest of barks. He simply sat listening to the conversation going on around him.

[NeilWacaster]

Auntie Ju took a few gulps of tea, wiped her mouth, and grinned.  "Say what ya'll want, but I'm tellin' ya, 'e was a looker.  Came inta my shop yesterday, lookin' all shy, doncha know?  I says to myself, I says, 'Awww, ain't 'e a cutie?  Prob'ly just gonna get a fritter.'  Then 'e gives me this whoppin' big order, fer delivery.  'Ya'll havin' a party, youngin'?' I says.  He looks a mite dis-com-bob-ulated, doncha know.  An' then," she leaned forward, emphasizing her earnestness, " 'e says, 'Naw, just a treat fer my somepony.' "

She tapped the envelope with a hoof.  "That's when 'e gives me this here letter.  An' 'e says, all quiet-like, 'Be shore she gits this, please.' "

[CrimsonNova]

Silver Wish nearly choked on her tea, still determined not to open the letter. She could be stubborn at times, and she used all her might to stop from screaming in frustration. "Well, in case you haven't noticed, I am not one of those ponies who socializes very often. Being a delivery mare, I would have assumed you would have known my notorious title as outcast in this city. I work at the museum, and by Celestia, you should hear some of the whispers that I hear about myself sometimes! I refuse to believe there is a pony - let alone a stallion - who is trying to get my attention; unless it is indeed a joke," Silver Wish snapped at Ju, slamming her hoof down on the table. The envelope fluttered over to Ju at this movement, and Silver Wish glanced up.

She then lowered her head, sighing. "I do apologise, Miss Ju. It was unkind of me to lose my temper at you. Although this is one of the reasons I am seen as an outcast, I believe. It's just - hard - for me to make friends. I'm not very good at it, you see. In fact, I'm surprised both of you aren't running for the hills You may as well put that envelope in the trash. I'm not going to read it."

Silver Wish looked to Paw Print, trying to wordlessly apologize to her for her sudden outburst.

[PonyHooves]

"Not good at makin' friends! Yer' the only pony I ever met who'd offer a bed, a roof ta' sleep under, breakfast an' agree ta' help search fer' a missin' map fer' a stranger." Paw Print took a breath. "The way I see it, yer' the best friend a lost pony could ever have the pleasure ta' get ta' know." Paw Print went silent. She had said all that was needed to be known. Tricks walked up to Silver Wish. He wagged his tail and gently rubbed his head against Silver Wish's leg before he sat back down. This time he was beside her. Paw Print had been wathing her faithful mutt. She smiled and finally added. "See, even ol' Tricks agrees."

[NeilWacaster]

Auntie Ju had heard a few rumors about this recluse who spent all her days stargazing.  Some said that all she cared about were old artifacts and celestial bodies.  Being such an outgoing mare herself, Auntie Ju couldn't understand why anypony would act in such a fashion, and didn't believe that anypony would.  However, after this encounter, she began to wonder if the gossip was true.

She threw up her hooves in frustration.  "Good buckin' grief, girl.  If your'n this stubborn about makin' friends, it ain't no wonder that you ain't got none." She looked over at Paw Print with a glance that said, 'you understand, don't you?'  "Like my good buddy Paw Print was just a'sayin', ya'll are a real good friend, by what all I done seen.  Fer my part, not another pony has invited me in fer a warm drink all this week.  Ta me, that says your a mite respectable, a mite kindly, and a mighty good friend."

After saying these words, her eyes narrowed with a touch of anger.  "An' another thang.  I never lie, even fer a joke.  If there weren't a stallion what made that order yesterday, and said all them nice thangs about'cha, ya'll can string me up and boil me in oil.  On my honor an' my word, t's the truth, I tell ya."

She glanced down at the envelope that had floated over and come down to rest just in front of her.  "I don't know about ya'll, but I'm dyin' ta know what 'e wrote in this here letter.  An' if ya'll don't even care enough about his little feeiin's ta even read it, then I'll just have ta read it to ya mahself."  

Resolutely, she picked up the pink envelope and impetuously tore it open.

[CrimsonNova]

Silver Wish listened to them both in silence, her head hanging low now. She let their words into her mind, and once Ju and Paw Print had finished, she raised her head.
"You're both right, I apologize sincerely. I shouldn't have doubted you, Miss Ju, and Paw Print, that is very sweet of you. I'm very sorry for not trusting both of your opinions."

Silver Wish winced as she watched Ju tear open the letter, and braced herself, expecting the worst.

[NeilWacaster]

"Now I won't take no fer no answer..."  She said, suddenly realizing what Silver Wish had said.  Oh, for peat moss' sake.  She's just gonna let me read this private letter?  Sheesh.  She really needs to grow a backbone.

Auntie Ju pulled the crisp pink stationery out of the envelope and unfolded the letter carefully.  A few small, white flower petals fluttered down onto the table.

[CrimsonNova]

In all honesty, Silver Wish wasn't sure why she was letting Ju read the letter. She supposed it was because she was ready to jump up and scream "I told you so."
The unicorn mare sighed and watched the white petals flutter down.
She glanced over at Paw Print, and then continued to sip her warm tea, shaking her head. She knew she should maybe drop her stubborn act, but she just couldn't believe any stallion could be sincere about this sort of stuff.

[PonyHooves]

Paw Print thought that Silver Wish didn't deserve lonliness. She deserved company. But not the sompany of an animal. Everypony needs friends that can answer back. Tricks was her companion. But even a dog trainer, such as her self, had other pony friends. In her mind, everypony deserves a friend they can talk to.

[NeilWacaster]

Ju cleared her throat and began to read.  Here is what the letter contained:

Dearest Silver Wish,

First, let me apologize that it has taken all these years for me to confess my love for you.  When we were foals in Canterlot, you were the only filly I ever had my eyes on.  I watched you from afar, admiring the way you were always so studious and so kind.  I don't know if you noticed, but I came to every meeting of the astronomy club you were in.  I was always in the back, and as much as I enjoyed the beauty of the stars, they couldn't compare to the beauty of your form and your personality.  

Before you left for Stalliongrad, I considered deeply whether to discuss my feelings with you.  I knew, however, that I was not yet worthy of you.  I have spent the intervening years studying astronomy at the Canterlot Academy of Science.  I am now overjoyed to tell you that I have a doctorate degree in astrophysics, and have been accepted as an associate professor at the Stalliongrad Museum.  So, it appears that we are going to be coworkers.  

It is my sincere hope that, if nothing else, we can meet to discuss old times.  If you find that your love for me is reciprocal, it would be the greatest joy of my life.  However, I understand that my love may be unrequited.  I am prepared to accept that fact.  In that case, I look forward to an enlightening professional friendship with you.  

No matter what happens, I will always be yours.  

Sincerely,

Leo Constellation, Ph.D.

[CrimsonNova]

Silver Wish sat there, stunned. Come to think of it, she thought she recognized that name. The museum? Co-workers?
Oh, this was too much for her to handle. She jumped up from the table, startling the dog that was sitting by her leg. She looked at Paw Print. "I'm uh, gonna go find that map, okay? I'll be back soon!"
She ran upstairs, her hooves tapping noisily on the stone. She started pulling books down from the shelves willy-nilly, and sighed. She knew perfectly well that the map was on her desk, but she just needed an excuse to think about the letter. Leo Constellation.. It did sound familiar, that she couldn't deny.
She shook her head. You know better than that Wish, it's just a silly joke.
She tried to remember back to the days of the club. She didn't know much about astronomy, even then. She sighed. This just couldn't be true.
But what if it is? A small voice nagged at the back of her mind..

[PonyHooves]

Paw Print Looked at Tricks. Tricks did the same to Paw Print. Silver Wish was acting odd and both pony and dog had sensed it. 'Well that was odd even fer' her. I ain't seen nopony jus' bolt up stairs like that... Or forget that a mutt as noticable as Tricks, be beside um an' scare um' away with a tap. Hmm... Perhaps she's spent ta' many years on her own. Either way, that's jus' strange behaviour. The strangest I've ever seen.' Paw Print thought to her self. She remained silent. Her mutt however, didn't just sit there and wait. Tricks quietly followed Silver Wish. The dog listened to many things others had said and had the knowledge to find out the cause of such odd behaviour.

[NeilWacaster]

Auntie Ju, finishing the letter, rolled her eyes in mock derision.  "Awww, how sweet."  Secretly though, the letter had moved her powerfully.  It reminded her of her courtship with her husband, so many years ago.  After his passing last spring, it was still painful for her to think of romantic relationships such as this.  Even so, she wanted other ponies to find the happiness she and Jonagold had shared.  

As Silver Wish ran from the room, her expression changed.  Well, well, well.  I've been on this earth long enough to know a buddin' romance when I see one.  I wonder what I can do to help this little courtship along.  She began to think hard ...

[CrimsonNova]

Silver Wish calmed down, and decided to re-enter the kitchen calmly. She tapped the mutt on his head and whispered "Thanks for listening."

She wasn't sure how long she'd spent chatting to the mutt, but she assumed her guests probably felt a tad neglected.  She trotted down the stairs, Tricks beside her with the map in his mouth. She pushed open the door, her head held high, and walked back in.

She knew by their faces that they wouldn't let the subject of the letter drop easily.
She sighed, giving in. "What should I do? I'm so clueless!" she burbled, resisting the urge to flop into her seat and bang her head on the table.

[PonyHooves]

Tricks sat in the begging position in front of Paw Print. Paw Print gently tapped him on the head as she took the map from his mouth. "Ye' could jus' talk ta' him..." Paw Print suggested. "But I aint good at this romance stuff... Never found my special somepony."

[NeilWacaster]

"Oh, honey."  Auntie Ju walked over to Silver Wish and placed a reassuring foreleg around her neck.  "Everypony feels the same way their first time.  I did ..." She looked wistful for a moment, then seemed to snap back to reality.  "Now, let me tell ya straight, it's downright odd the way he went about tellin' ya all a this.  But, with how shy 'e was yesterday, it don't surprise me that he'd wanna use a letter."  She smiled mischievously.  "Now, you're in luck.  Auntie Ju knows all about courtin', and she ain't gonna letcha buck this up.  Seein' that yer somepony likes writin' so much, ya'll should write one back."

[CrimsonNova]

Silver Wish lowered her head, and nodded. "I'm sorry to bother you both with my drama. It's just  - I'm not used to this. At all." Silver Wish looked up at Ju, her mouth gaping open.

"Write a letter? What would I say? How would I say it! I can't even remember him!" She was trying not to panic. She really hadn't a clue what to do in this situation, so she made an effort of pouring three more cups of hot tea.

[NeilWacaster]

Ju looked at her quizzically.  "Ya'll shore ya don't remember this fella?  Seems like he remembers ya more than a little well."  She chuckled.  "Maybe I should describe 'im.  'E was a pitch-black unicorn, an' had a cutie mark with three light blue stars.  His mane and tail were dark blue an' black, and had a snappy little mustache.  His eyes where what really drew me in, though.  Such a nice midnight blue.  All in all, not a bad sight.  But I'm an old geezer, what do I know?"  

[Picture for reference]

[CrimsonNova]

Silver Wish smacked a hoof to her head and gasped. "Of course, I remember! The shy colt who always sat down the back!"
She remembered  all to well his eyes. Those beautiful midnight blue eyes of his. Wait - wasn't he the colt she used to have a crush on? No, it couldn't be. Could it? She shook her head and went rummaging through her drawers for some paper and a quill. "Can you help me with this?" she asked Ju.

She then looked to Paw Print. "Do you think Tricks could deliver it?" She was getting excited now, and all doubts about practical jokes were gone from her mind. She smiled tiredly, levitated her quill and waited for Ju's instruction.

[NeilWacaster]

"I'd be happy to help ya.  But the most important thing is ta use yer own words.  Iffen he thinks that somepony else wrote the note, that won't get ya'll of ta a good start."  She sat down at the kitchen table, and put on a too-small pair of reading glasses.  "Now, the first thing is to let him know that you're not completely against the idea.  In fact, give 'im a little indication that you're interested in 'im.  But not too much.  Stallions like a girl that plays hard to get, but there's always a balance with this sorta thing."