//------------------------------// // Surprise letters and surprises // Story: Focused eyes // by Banksyt //------------------------------// Just stating the obvious: I do not own My Little Pony and any of the other trade mark entities that may grace this chapter. Surprise letters and surprises The sun was poised to rise, radiant and fulfilling as it always was. Celestia sighed, she’d been putting her all into the sunrises and sunsets in hope that a young lavender unicorn would see them and think of her. But she knew Twilight reveled in the night, and she didn’t blame her. Luna’s artistic abilities far outmatched her own. But it was worth the effort if Twilight thought about her, she wanted nothing more. The letter writing had finally after much toil and arguing about whether they should start it with Dear or Hello, was finished. Celestia had decided that it was best to go with Luna’s style; it was simple and effective (Celestia couldn’t fathom why it had changed so much). It cut straight to the chase, none of this social mumbo-jumbo as Luna called it. A particular paradigm that Celestia out matched her sisters, there were many others but Celestia didn’t want to degrade her sister. Fencing had only become popular 2 hundred years ago, at it wasn’t Luna’s fault no one was able to teacher her on the moon. In fact the only thing she had gotten really good at was being quite, last tournament she gave Fluttershy a real run for her money. Her only fault was the fact that she didn’t know shifting her wings would cause so much noise. And she was really training for this year; Luna was known to go days without saying a word. The scroll, which held less than 50 words, was sitting on her desk, and despite being written two days ago, it hadn’t accumulated any dust. Celestia refused to send her love a dirty scroll, that last thing she wanted was for twilight to get sick. If she remembered correctly, which she dearly hoped she did otherwise she might have to open in and then have to write it again since she would have broken the seal was: Dear Twilight sparkle I would like you to join me at the winter sun celebration in Canterlot with your friends, contact me if you can. Celestia She knew it wasn’t her best work but she couldn't expand on it anymore without the fear that she was letting on more than she wanted to. And she knew Twilight always read with an analytical mindset, she thought her that! But she was sure that Twilight would jump at the chance to spend time with her, and at that she smiled. She knew Twilight held her highly but she didn’t know how high. Celestia’s focus was fleeting, she knew she would have to send it very soon, but she couldn’t bring herself to. Massive amounts of nervous energy so alien to her cool and calm mind ravaged her; she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t even decide whether she should go for dinner. You know you’ve gone mad when you chose isolation above a 5 course dinner. Her mind was a storm, fresh memories resurfaced along with memories that were buried long ago in the depths of her mind, forgotten for many reasons. Celestia stood on the peak of Equestrian’s tallest mountain. A decision needed to be made, and it needed to be made now. But it wasn’t easy, in fact it was by far the hardest one Celestia had ever had to make. And these memories weren’t helping. Celestia stared up and the boreal lights that shone down eager to please great sun goddess. But the harrowing lights held up for all to see the trials and tribulations of Celestia, the mistakes and successes in her long life. The loves and sorrows that came after, the true immortality of her spirit. The winds of regret billowed at her ever flowing mane, sending shivers throughout her tall frame. But in light of all these overpowering memories one thing always flickered in the background, the still image of Twilight. A smile crept upon Celestia’s face, and she knew exactly what needed to be done so that she could forever see that face always. A letter needed to be sent. Sunshine had never been so happy in her entire life, she was in love with the most beautiful mare in Equestria and that mare loved her back. She had her daughter who would always be a beacon to her, a light when it was dark. Where she once had one she now had two. Where a hole in her heart failed to heal, was now whole again. Twilight completed her life, and Dinkies. Something she wanted more than her own happiness was Dinkies. And now that she knew Dinky loved her as much as she did, she just couldn’t hold back the tears of joy. She had spent the last minute with her face in Twilights the sweet smell invading her, the warm coat making it impossible to take her head out of it. Twilight was holding on to her for dear life, she knew Sunshine was crying tears of joy, a few dropping from her own eyes as the embrace lengthened. Dinky had no idea that either were crying but launched her right into the middle, intent on getting into the hug. As she squeezed her way in between the two, they loosened allowing Dinky to fit snuggly right in-between them. “I love you mommas” “I love you too” they both said in perfect unison and harmony. And after a little longer like that they broke from the hug, teary eyed and smiling. She tried to get up, and she wobbled a little, but Twilight was there to catch her. Who knew happiness could incapacitate you so. “How bout we go and celebrate?” Sunshine asked aloud, wiping a tear from her face. “I thought you’d never ask, come on Dinky lets go eat!” “YAY!” They continued to walk down the street, heeding no attention to the group of ponies gathered outside of Bon Bon’s confection shop, they were whispering about who knows what. Twilight wasn’t paying attention, but Bon Bon was, and as a result shooed them all away chastising them about love and its endless bounds. Both mares smirked at this, they had heard that. It was nice to know some ponies had their back. As they cantered down the street towards the restaurant they could hear the wafting melody of a lyre, the soothing tale of love and life. It was as if it was being played just for them. They finally arrived at the restaurant, it was nothing fancy but apparently the food made up for that. It was completely packed, families, couples and even a few of Dinkies classmates where peppered round the inside and out of the restaurant. They were shown to their seats, a small round table with small stools and place mats. In the middle of it all were three fully blossomed daffodils. A light snack resembling the restaurant’s name, that’s nice. They sat down, and a waiter approached. “Hello and welcome, oh Sunshine and Dinky, it’s nice to see you again. Shall you be having the usual? And you Madame?” “Yes, haute we’ll be having the usual, and you Twilight? Have you decided?” “Yes, I think I’ll be having the pan fried sunflower with garlic relish.” Fun fact about Twilight, she loves garlic. One of the reason’s she not the most socially adept pony. “Very nice choice, and what would you like to drink? “Just water thank you.” Sunshine said closing her menu, Dinky tried to argue but somehow she knew that she would never win. You didn’t give fizzy drinks to a filly who could run around all day and still have the pent up energy that made her shake in her seat. It was not a pretty sight; she had to use a crowbar to get Dinky of the wall. “Very good.” Haute picked up the menus and trotted of the make the orders. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very laid back; ponies were talking about all sorts of things. Twilight saw why Sunshine liked this restaurant. I really need to get out more, but then again I will be now that I’m with Sunshine. But in fact sunshine didn’t get out much, she had to take care of Dinky and finding a fillysitter wasn’t easy. At first she thought that with Twilight she’d have more freedom but she knew now that if she wasn’t doing it with Twilight and Dinky, it going to be as much fun. She tried to spend as much time with Dinky as she could, and she knew that Twilight would be too. Trying to get the filly on her side, little did she know that Dinky actually considered her as part of the family. Dinky thought like this, if momma likes pony then I love pony. “So Twilight, you’ve gotten to know me. Now I want to hear about you.” Sunshine said breaking the soothing silence between the three. Twilight blushed, Sunshine was asking her the question that had gotten this whole relationship of the ground, and Twilight was truly horned. “We’ll what do you want to know about me then? There’s not much other than I read a lot.” “Twilight! How can you so easily degrade yourself, I’m willing to bet my left hoof that you have more to you than just books and magic.” Twilight blushed again; never had she thought a scolding would bring such fond feelings. But Sunshine was true, she may think of herself as the lone librarian but she had definitely had some good adventures since she’d arrived in ponyville. Not to mention the shenanigans she’d managed to procure in Canterlot. In fact she had lived up till this point in time quite an interesting life, and it was only getting more interesting. “We’ll where to start? How about since enrolling in Celestia’s school of magic?” She had to start somewhere and some of her fondest memories began their. “I would love to hear all about it” “ME TO!” Dinky shouted as she jittered in her seat, she was like a carbon copy of Pinky Pie but unicorn and Sunshine’s daughter. Twilight smiled, she was so happy that Dinky had taken a liking to her. She didn’t know what she’d do if Dinky didn’t. And so Twilight began at the very start, the whole table shook with laughter as Twilight told them how she managed to turn her parents into plants. After a while, and much more side splitting tales of Twilights misadventures and magical pranks that she loved doing with her Mentor Celestia. Their food came, and it was wonderful, her taste buds tingled with that garlic taste she loved so much. But she continued to tell them stories of life before Ponyville. “And it took the Authorities weeks to take all the toilet paper off Canterlot!” She was telling them what happened mere hours after Celestia’s and her discovery of red Pegasus. “Hahaha! OH wow Twilight! You’re the last pony I’d expect to do these sorts of things! You make Rainbow Dash and Pinky Pie look like amateurs!” But thankfully Twilight left that sort of thing behind in Canterlot, and besides it wasn’t as funny when the citizens of ponyville had already seen it all. They finished their dinner in ecstatic silence, still recovering from Twilights stories, and she told a good story. Paying the bill and wishing Haute a good night they left the restaurant. “So Twilight, are you up for some dessert at the sugar-cube corner?” Without warning Twilight’s eyes went wide, Pinky Pie. She’d forgotten about the Pink mare and her surprisingly surprise surprise parties. “Why don’t we go to Bon Bon’s?” and then in a lower voice so Dinky wouldn’t hear “I have a feeling we might get quite the surprise if we don’t” Sunshine caught on quickly, and she agreed knowing Pinkie Pie was probably the first pony to know of this relationship. She was willing to be that Pinkie knew before she did. So instead of heading down the road that led to the Bakery which if they had gone down to would have been eerily quiet and empty. And instead walked down to the confectionary shop that was dark, the blinds were closed and filled to the brim with unsuspecting ponies who didn’t know why Pinkie Pie was throwing a party. It was a surprise party in a surprise party (Partyception). As the trio neared the confectionary shop, who’s board dishonestly said “open” (if the board had any choice it would say “RUN!!!”) they did not heed to the silence nor did they think it weird that the blinds were down. But they did however think it was weird that the sign said open, the door was open but all the lights were out. And then Twilight got it, but it was already too late so she just braced herself. “SURPRISE!!!!!!!” And seemingly out of nowhere the whole shop became filled to the brim with cheering ponies, they poured out of the cupboard, behind the sink, under the tables, and it seemed that screwball had managed to get herself stuck in the fan (but she was still cheering). And then they saw the banner held up above Twilight, Sunshine and Dinky, it said TWILGIHT+SUNHINE+DINKY= HAPPY FAMILY PARTY!!!!! And jaws just dropped everyponies except of course Pinkie Pie. The cheering ceased, this is the part where my life breaks down, no one listens when I make a sound, it all looks like it’s “hate” time now... But as quickly as the cheering died down, it picked up again and grew tenfold. They were all shouting “Twilight and Sunshine!” over and over again. The trio just stood there, completely flabbergast at how easily they’d been tricked, then the mastermind behind it all approached them in her care-free manner. “WERE YOU SURPRISED? I KNOW I WAS! I WAS LIKE NO WAY! TWILIGHT AND SUNSHINE! AND THEN I KNEW I HAD TO THROW A PARTY! YOU MUST BE SO HAPPY TOGETHER!!” “We’ll we... yea... I mean it’s only been one day...Rarity? What are you doing here; I thought you had a real workload tonight?” “Don’t ask me honey, I’m just as surprised as you are... if not a little happy.” She managed a smile. “Haha! I knew it! I knew you’d be a fillyfooler Twilight!” It was Rainbow Dash who cantered up to Twilight and gave her a friendly punch on the shoulders. “A what?” “Fillyfooler, you know a mare who likes mares... and here I thought you’d be the expert since you’re the one in a relationship.” Her face did a “you’re kidding right?” as her voice deadpanned. “Wait? And you’re okay with this?” Fluttershy and applejack had joined them just in time to hear the question. “Well it might be a mite weird if ya ask me Twi. But I’m ‘appy as long as your ‘appy.” Apple Jack smiled, and Twilight knew that she was safe (she wouldn’t openly admit it but Apple jack was defiantly to most conservative of the bunch). Fluttershy just nodded, obviously agreeing in what Apple Jack said. Twilight was relieved, her friends were obviously supportive of her relationship and by the facial reactions from Sunshine’s friends they were also happy for her. This made Twilight feel strong, it was like she could face anything right now, and she wished she could feel this way forever. It was so fulfilling, she moved in and gave her friends one of their legendary group hugs. After a while they broke, Twilight smiled looked over to Sunshine who was looking back at her. Her friends knew exactly what she was thinking; they smiled and parted, letting Twilight through. “So Twilight.” Sunshine’s smile stretched across her face “I trust it went well, and by that look on your face I’m willing to bet my left hoof it did”. She raised her left hoof and gave it a shake to emphasize her point. She seemed to do that a lot. Twilight forgot to answer and instead went straight for the kiss. Dinky made a few noises in the background pointing her hoof in her mouth, while everyone else “Awwwww’d”. Sunshine broke the kiss and tried to speak again, but Twilight was expecting it. “Hmm? You said something? Perhaps I to slow, maybe we should try that again.” And she went in for a second kiss. And a long one it was, they both broke it gasping for breath. Then Sunshine nuzzled Twilight and spoke, now out of range of those beautiful, bountiful lips. “You really are a great kisser Twilight; I don’t know where you’ve been all my life. Must have been holed up in that library.” She smiled a sly smile; teasing Twilight was so much fun. “he...Hey, I get out...” She blushed, knowing full well that she didn’t but that tone of voice was just so overpowering. Dinky had now joined them, since they had stopped their incessant kissing. Not that she didn’t love seeing her mother’s (she didn’t yet know that they had to be married) so happy but something’s were not meant for filly eyes. As she neared the two she stifled a yawn noooooooo now they’ll make me go to sleep... And that’s exactly what Sunshine thought. “Well it looks like some of us just are ready for a late night party.” She bent down to Dinky and nuzzled her mane. “Awww, but I wanna stay up like a big pony.” Dinky pouted her face, and Twilight didn’t know how Sunshine was able to resist such pure D’aww in its more raw and untamed form. And Twilight knew Sunshine could see it. And then Twilight wondered how so much raw D’aww was able to manifest it’s self within such a small filly. But then Twilight remembered her first visit to the apple family, and how Applebloom had done the exact same thing that Dinky was. Perhaps Twilight was just a sucker for cuteness. Sunshine turned to see Twilights face completely scrunched up, trying her hardest not to blow her heart for the 6th time that day. She smiled and then whispered in Twilights ear, “Don’t worry it’ll grow on you”. Then she turned to face the rest of the ponies in the shop. “Excuse me! Hello! Yes, we’ll I’m sorry but we have to go now. I’m afraid we didn’t know that you’d be throwing us a party otherwise would have left Dinky at home with a sitter. Thank you though for the thought, it means a lot to us. Now Dinky what do you say?” “Thank you!” And with that the three turned to the door and left the party, stepping out into the night. The Stars shone with all their might. Dinky now resting on Sunshine’s back, completely sound asleep. Who can blame her? After a few minutes of walking they arrived at Sunshine’s house, “Good night Sunshine, I really had fun getting to know you.” Sunshine yawned, also quite tuckered out. She nodded, she really did have fun. She pecked Twilight on the lips and retreated back into her house, blowing Twilight another as she closed the door. Twilight could see the kiss float towards her, landing softly on her cheek. It made her feel special, Sunshine made her feel special. She wished she would feel this way all the time. But we can’t always get what we wish for. Luna was wandering down a long and dark corridor. It had curved roof that was so high she thought she could see clouds waft about; lamps lined the length of it shining brightly in the night. Luna was on her way to the observatory, to gaze again upon her night sky. But that wasn’t the only reason. She was looking for her sister, and if anything hadn’t changed in the last thousand years was Celestia’s love of peace and quiet. And the only time she was able to get some was at night, when everypony had decided to call it a day and stop annoying her with their problems. As she neared the door, she could hear her sister sigh most loudly. She hadn’t been her happy self since she decided to send that letter by traditional means instead of through Spike. She walked in, Celestia had expected her. “Do you truly think I’m making the best decision sister?” “You know I can’t very well know the answer to that.” “I know, but an eternity is a long time. I relishes that thought but I don’t think Twilight will. Watching everything die around you while you stay forever young is not something mortal ponies were meant to experience. I’m afraid that will make her hate me...” “We shall see sister. Come the Night is just beginning, and there is no need to sulk up here.” Authors notes: Again I thoroughly thank all my readers, you make this story possible. Coming next Chapter 6: Leaving for Canterlot