//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Confidence // Story: Time Waits For Nopony // by ThatBronyWithTheClipOns //------------------------------// For the next few weeks, Time Turner looked after Dinky whenever Derpy, her mother, was working overtime delivering the mail. The time artisan and the unicorn filly were becoming fast friends, and Dinky even helped him come up with some stories to tell her classmates. “Why don’t you ever just go to a friends house when your mother is working overtime,” asked Time Turner. “I don’t really have any friends,” said Dinky with a frown. “I find that hard to believe,” said Time Turner. “You’re a very nice filly.” “It’s because I get into fights,” said Dinky. “Why on earth would you do that,” asked Time turner. “Because of my mom,” said Dinky. “I don’t understand,” said Time Turner. “Most of the classmates make fun of the fact that my mom has a bad eye,” said Dinky. “Oh, I see,” said Time Turner. “I forget she has that condition.” “How can you not notice it,” asked Dinky. “I love my mom to death, but it is a very prominent feature.” “I guess I’m not very observant,” said Time Turner. “That‘s a lie and you know it,” said Dinky. “You’re probably one of the most observant ponies I’ve ever met. Given your job, I’m not surprised by that. You don’t notice because you really like my mom.” “What gave you that idea,” said Time Turner, trying to control his blushing. “Something like that isn’t gonna be hidden easily,” said Dinky. “Mom doesn’t get a lot of male attention due to her eye; of course being a single mother doesn’t help either. So she may not notice it, but I’m definitely gonna notice.” “It’s that obvious, huh,” said Time Turner. “Well, I can’t speak for anypony else,” said Dinky. “But for me, yeah, it’s very obvious. Why don’t you say something to her?” “You’d be alright with that,” asked Time Turner. “Of course I would,” said Dinky. “I want my mom to be happy; as happy as she makes me. And you’re a really nice colt, I know you’d never try to hurt her on purpose.” “But I’m not very interesting,” said Time Turner. “What are you talking about,” said Dinky. “You can look at a watch and immediately tell why it’s not working. You’re also really good with kids.” “Most aren’t that impressed with time based talents,” said Time Turner. “And I could never lie to a grown mare about my time traveling exploits.” “I doubt many grownups believe you’re really an alien,” said Dinky. “You just need to be yourself with my mom.” “Well, I can’t ask her out with somepony else around,” said Time Turner. “I guess that makes sense,” said Dinky. “Then talk to her if you see her in town. I’m not always with her, you know, and she doesn’t work every single day. Just keep an eye out for her walking around, and just close your shop for a little.” “I don’t know if I could do that,” said Time Turner. “For a guy who travels through time and space, you sure lack confidence,” said Dinky sarcastically. “Doctor Whooves certainly is more daring than I,” said Time Turner. “But you are Doctor Whooves,” said Dinky. “Of course, not in the sense that you travel through time; but you are the one who created him. You’re the one telling the stories as if you were him. You can bring that confidence to the real world.” “I just don’t know,” said Time Turner. Dinky felt bad for Time Turner’s lack of confidence in himself. She knew he liked her mom, and at the same time wanted her mother to have a special somepony. She knew he’d never seek her outside his shop, and he wouldn’t talk to her unless alone. That’s when she got an idea. A few days later, while Time Turner was alone in his shop, Derpy walked in all of a sudden. This was a confusing moment for him, as during this time of day Dinky was clearly in school and Derpy herself should be on her mail route. “Miss Doo,” Time Turner greeted her. “What brings you here?” “You can just call me Ditzy,” she said. “Or even Derpy. That’s what most call me.” “Alright then, Derpy,” said Time Turner with a nervous smile. “What brings you to my shop today?” “Dinky was playing around all crazy yesterday,” began Derpy. “And she accidentally totaled my alarm clock.” “Oh my,” said Time Turner. “Is she alright?” “Oh yeah, she’s fine,” said Derpy. “And lucky for me, I had the day off today, so that I can immediately replace it. It’s pretty important to have a clock when your job involves getting up early to deliver mail all over.” “I would imagine,” said Time Turner. Time Turner couldn’t help but suspect that Dinky planned this supposed accident with Derpy’s clock. “So what would you recommend,” said Derpy. “I mean, I know it’s just a clock, but you’re the expert here so I figured you’d know something that most wouldn’t.” “Well, I suppose there are various kinds of alarm clocks,” said Time Turner. “There are the kind you have to wind up, ones you can plug into an outlet, some that have both battery and plug in options in case your electricity goes out, and some that feature nature noises to help those that have trouble sleeping.” “Well with my job I don’t really have trouble sleeping at night,” said Derpy. “You have one of clocks with battery and outlet options?” “I most certainly do,” said Time Turner. “Most ponies choose those since you never know when they’ll be a power outage.” They continued to talk, as Time Turner looked for that specific type of clock. “That has happened to me in the past actually,” commented Derpy. “Back when I starting out as a mail mare. I guess somepony like you doesn’t have that sort of trouble, since time is your bread and butter.” “I wouldn’t say that,” said Time Turner. “I’m still a pony after all; I still have my flaws. I’ve had plenty of instances where you could say time wasn’t on my side. Not really a time traveling alien after all.” “Very true,” snickered Derpy. “Amazing how a simple misunderstanding could get others to think you’re some sort of crazy adventurer.” “Indeed it is,” said Time Turner. “But it’s had it’s advantages. The little ponies seem to really enjoy my stories.” “I know Dinky does,” said Derpy. “She’s always telling me stuff about them; you’ve got quite an imagination.” “I’ve had some help from Pinkie Pie,” said Time Turner. “But these days she’s busy with her new friends. That new librarian really stirred things up around here.” “You’re telling me,” said Derpy. “She befriended Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy; I know both of them for flight camp years back.” “Small world,” said Time Turner. “Do you like this one?” Time Turner showed Derpy one of his newest models. “Looks like a solid product,” said Derpy. “I’ll take it.” “Splendid,” said Time Turner. As he was ringing Derpy up, Time Turner began to feel a bit more nervous; he could feel his heart beating faster and getting a bit red. Derpy looked at him with a bit of confusion. “You ok there, Time Turner,” she asked. “Well, yes, I am,” he said. “I just um…I just wanted to ask you something.” “Ok, what is it,” asked Derpy. “Well, um,” he fumbled. “I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime?” There was a pause that, for Time Turner anyway, seemed to last forever. “Do you think you’re funny,” exclaimed Derpy. “I’m sorry, what,” asked Time Turner. “It’s not very nice to mess with pony’s feelings like that,” she exclaimed. “What,” he said again in confusion. “I don’t need some colt cracking jokes at me like that,” exclaimed Derpy. “But I’m not joking,” said Time Turner. “I would never joke about that sort of thing!” “Why would somepony like you be asking somepony like me out,” asked Derpy. “Somepony like me,” asked Time Turner. “What’s that supposed to me?” “Oh come on,” said Derpy. “A good looking, well spoken colt like yourself. Why would you be interested in a mare with a dopey voice and a gimpy eye? I’m not delusional, you know, I’m aware of what I look and sound like.” “I’m good looking,” said Time Turner, now quite confused. “You thought otherwise,” asked Derpy. “I never really gave my looks and consideration,” said Time Turner. “But, I find you to be quite lovely.” “What,” said Derpy in confusion. “Do you need glasses or something?” “Not at all,” said Time Turner, not picking up on Derpy‘s sarcasm. “I’ve been told I have well above average vision. Comes quite in handy when you’re in my line of work.” “You…you think I’m pretty,” asked Derpy, who was now blushing. “I don’t see how anypony couldn’t,” said Time Turner. “I guess that has distracted me from noticing your mild condition.” “Mild,” said a confused Derpy. “My right eye goes off into a completely different direction from my other on it’s own. I’d say that’s a pretty significant condition.” “I’m sorry,” said Time Turner. “I just never found physical defects to be that important. Not that I’m saying you’re defective! Far from it! I just mean that I like you just as you are. You have a full time job and are able to raise a little filly all on your own. I find that to be incredible.” Derpy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Incredible? Her? All this from a colt who was from Trottingham, a place she‘d never been to, but had heard of how high class and lavish it was. Meanwhile ,she was just from some podunk town. But as he talked to her, she could tell he wasn’t putting her on; she’d encountered enough bad colts to know when one was being genuine. “Well, thank you,” said Derpy. “So, I know we don’t know each other that well,” said Time Turner. “At this point, the only thing we really have in common is that I watch after your daughter from time to time. But, I would love to get to know you better.” “I haven’t been out on a date in a while,” said Derpy. “I don’t really know where I could get a foal sitter.” “What about your friend, Fluttershy,” said Time Turner. “I heard she recently handled three hyper little fillies. I’m sure she’d have no trouble with one.” “You got a point there,” said Derpy. “Ok then, are you free tonight?” “Tonight,” asked Time Turner. “Rather quick.” “Well, I have the next day off too,” said Derpy. “Like I said, this was good timing with my clock breaking. I could easily go find Fluttershy and ask her if she can watch Dinky.” “Alright then,” said Time Turner. “Did you have anything in mind,” asked Derpy. “Not really,” said Time Turner. “How about, if you’re able to find a sitter, we just meet back here and figure it out from there?” “Sounds like a good idea to me,” said Derpy. “I should get going then to make sure I can get a sitter. I’ll be sure to let you know if I’m free.” “Wonderful,” said Time Turner. “See you soon,” said Derpy, with a smile. “Yes, see you soon,” said Time Turner, returning that smile. Derpy ran off, leaving Time Turner alone in his shop. “This is better than any time traveling adventure,” said Time Turner, now sporting a giant grin. “I must start getting ready now!”