//------------------------------//
// Canterlot Shopping Spree 
// Story: Living in Equestria 
// by Blazewing 
//------------------------------//

The next morning was surprisingly active. During breakfast, someone came knocking at my door, and when I answered, I found it to be Derpy. She was smiling, but I couldn’t help but notice some tired lines beneath her askew eyes.

“Hi, Derpy,” I said. “Are you feeling ok?”

“Oh, a little tired,” Derpy admitted. “It’s all this holiday rush, you know? Plus, the little ones have got colds, so Sparkler and I both have had to make sure they’re on schedule with their medicine. Don’t worry, they’ve got mailponies waiting in the wings to take over if one of us collapses.” 

“And that hasn’t happened to you yet, has it?” I asked.

“Nah,” said Derpy, waving an airy hoof. “It’s gonna take a lot more to stop me. But how about you? You’ve got your plate full with quite a few things yourself. Sparkler told me all about this dragon restaurant idea you came up with. I hope Count Beardy won’t give you such a hard time now.”

“Count Beardy?” I asked, confused, before the realization hit me, and I burst out laughing. “You mean Minister Ironmane? Wow, he’d kill me if he heard me say that name…” I cleared my throat, then added, “But yeah, he actually liked the idea, and was more civil than usual with me. He probably just wants this whole mess over and done with. Lord knows anyone would want to pacify a bunch of cranky dragons.” 

“Too true,” said Derpy.

“Still, I’m glad you approved such a huge thing for Sparkler.”

“Oh, I think this will be a wonderful project for her, and she’s actually really excited about it. She was talking about asking Spike about gem flavors, and even came up with a name for the place: the Brimstone Lounge.”

“Nice,” I said, smiling to myself at how enthusiastic she had gotten. “Does she know where she can find a steady supply of gems?”

“She must, for the jewelry store to stay afloat, but she’s never told anypony where it is. She must want it kept a secret, lest greedier ponies try to take from it themselves.”

“Ah, good point.”

“Oh, but listen to me, prattling on, when you’ve got mail!” said Derpy. “Let’s see…”

She dug around in her mailbag, pulling out a pair of letters and placing them in my hands. Before I had time to read the addresses, however, she suddenly hefted a big box out of the bag. It seemed to be quite heavy for her, as she strained to lift it, and I saw her knees shaking. She suddenly gave a lurch forward with it, making me drop the letters onto the floor. The box caught me in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me, then slipped from her hooves, landing with a dull, painful thud on my foot. It was all I could do to keep from screaming.

“Oh gosh!” Derpy gasped, looking very contrite. “I am so sorry! I don’t know what went wrong!”

“Don’t worry about it,” I managed to say, through gritted teeth. 

Derpy gave a nervous little chuckle and pulled out a clipboard.

“Just sign for the package on the dotted line,” she said.

Stiffly, my foot still throbbing beneath the package, I grabbed the pen that came with the clipboard and signed where she wanted me to. Derpy then whisked it away and turned to go.

“I’ll see you later, Dave!”

“Bye!” I said, still through gritted teeth.

I made sure she was off in the sky again before closing the door, then pushing the package off of my foot. 

“...Ow…” I groaned.

I stooped to pick up the letters, placing them atop the box, then carried the whole lot, with some difficulty, onto the table. Who in the world would send me something so bone-crushing? Had I ordered anything? The package was stamped with an insignia resembling a griffon, and on either side of it were the initials “G.E”. In smaller letters underneath, it read “Griffon Express”.

Griffon Express…

The grapes!

I was about to open it up, when my eyes fell on the two letters. One was from the Pie family (a reply! Bonus!), but the other, written in a very elegant style, told me it was from Apollo himself. I opened this letter first, just to be sure if there was a warning about the grapes before opening the box. It read:

“My good David,
I thank you for writing to me, and am pleased to hear you express such interest in our native fruit. It is true that our grapes are exported in a limited supply, as they take the utmost care and attention to grow to perfection, but the Griffellow family owns a minor vineyard of our own, and I’d been informed we had a good harvest this year. Your friend the juice maker should be well pleased. Do not worry about storage, as I spared no expense in finding a container suitable for shipping that did not damage the cargo. Grapes of this sort are fairly delicate, and bruise and dry out easily, which is why I took the liberty of hiring a unicorn who specializes in enchantments to make sure they arrive both cold and unharmed. I trust you will inform me if his services were worth what I paid for them.
Happy holidays to you!
Sincerely yours,
Apollo Ignatius Griffellow II”

Opening the box, I saw the black and white cooler inside, and, sure enough, it was cold to the touch. For something that lacked a motor, this was one impressive shipping carton. Unicorn magic never ceased to amaze. 

Setting it aside, I took up the letter from the Pie family, opened it up, and read:

“Dear Mr. Dave,
We’re glad to have received the letter from you, and appreciate your thoughtfulness. Unfortunately, as much as we would love to visit Ponyville and see Pinkamena for Hearth’s Warming, Igneous has been grumbling about the state of the gravel crop we are raising. This cold weather is good for the stone, but with the winter about half done, we can’t leave in the midst of the busy season. We have decided to let Marble and Limestone come instead, and they are more than willing to share your accommodations with you. Expect them to drop by around Hearth’s Warming Eve.
Please give our best to Pinkamena.
Happy Hearth’s Warming!
Cloudy Quartz Pie”

So Marble and Limestone would be the only ones able to come? Well, it was better than no Pies at all, and besides, Pinkie would be happy to see them all the same. Things were working out just fine.

As I set my mail aside and went to get ready, my thoughts began to wander on what I had left to accomplish: the chocolate fountain for the Crusaders, the bags of candy for Pinkie and the delegates, the sign for Sparkler, the card for Trixie, and everything else in Canterlot. It seemed like a lot, but, thanks to Luna’s advice, it still looked doable.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I smiled with confidence and slapped my fist into the palm of my other hand.

“Let’s do this.”


***


Bon Bon sure didn’t waste time about finding about when her engagement would be. Almost as soon as I had come in to start work, she told me that she would allow me Wednesday and Thursday off, and that Saturday and Sunday the store would be closed, due to Hearth’s Warming. That suited me just fine, and I set to my daily duties with gusto.

Around midday, Rainbow Dash entered the shop, her wing curled around something at her side. She looked this way and that before heading up to the counter, obviously not wanting to be seen. Bon Bon was in her office, and Lyra was trying out something new, a lemon candy her boss and friend had just developed. Apparently, its taste left something to be desired, as Lyra’s lips were severely puckered, and this kept her from paying attention to Rainbow’s entrance. Hopefully, this wasn’t another prank.

“Here you go, dude,” the pegasus whispered.

She held out her wing and dropped something into my hand. It was a little bottle, about the size of a perfume bottle, full of a liquid striped with all the colors of the rainbow. It felt warm and pleasant, like bath water.

“Stash it in your pocket before somepony sees,” Rainbow whispered.

I did so, stuffing the bottle into a free pocket.

“Thanks, Rainbow,” I said, gratefully.

“Anytime, pal,” she said. “So, got any updates on the Canterlot trip?”

“Yes, actually. If you see Twilight and/or Moonlight, let them know we’re set for Wednesday and Thursday.”

“Wednesday and Thursday,” Rainbow repeated to herself for memory’s sake. “Sweet. How early should we make it?” 

“Let Twilight decide that,” I said. “She’ll probably set up a good timetable.”

“Yeah, and then make us memorize it,” said Rainbow, rolling her eyes. “Well, I’ll let them know. See ya later, big guy.”

“See ya.”

Rainbow headed out, and I turned to Lyra, who seemed to have unpuckered her lips at last. She did not look happy, and she pushed the bowl of lemon drops away with an expression of deep disgust.

“Too sour?” I asked.

“That’s putting it mildly,” she grumbled. “This isn’t candy. It’s a method of torture.”

“What was that, Lyra?” came Bon Bon’s voice through the office door, making Lyra jump.

“Er, nothing, Bonnie,” she replied, in a sweeter tone. “The lemon drops are just a little on the sour side, that’s all.”

“Oh, really?” said Bon Bon. “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll get right on it.”

“Thank goodness,” Lyra muttered to me. “Imagine if she didn’t have me around to tell the edible ones from the lethal ones...”

Now that was a scary thought.


***


Luckily, the Crusaders didn’t show up today (no doubt because Scoot and Dinky were still sick), so when the day was drawing to a close, I purchased the chocolate fountain from off the shelf, then made two of Bon Bon’s deluxe-sized mixed candy bags, each with a little bit of everything in it. Lyra wanted to give me a discount, but I didn’t want to keep doing it that way, as nice as it was. Lyra, however, was insistent.

“Are you saying you want to empty your wallet on candy?”

“Of course not,” I said.

“Then why look a gift unicorn in the mouth?” she asked, with a big smile on her face. “Especially after I ate something that sour. Bleah.” She pulled a face, then said, “You’re an employee and our friend. You deserve a few benefits.”

There was sense in that.

“Well, thanks, Lyra,” I said, accepting my purchases gratefully after handing over the bits. “I really do appreciate that.

“As I know your friends will appreciate these,” she said, winking.

With this, that took care of my purchasing obligations in Ponyville. Still, as I took the candy and fountain home, my mind wandered again over to Sparkler preparing to assist the dragon restaurant. I had already made up my mind about making a sign for decorative purposes, and now the idea was firmly rooted in my brain. Even if it was just a simple placard, it could still lend its own sense of aesthetics.

With that in mind, I wrapped up the gifts from Bon Bon’s, set them with the ever-growing pile of gifts, then set to work on two things: writing a card for Trixie, and drawing up concepts for a sign for the dragon restaurant. For the latter, I figured it should be catchy and creative. The slogans Moonlight said she was inventing for Sugarcube Corner floated into my head, and I wondered if I could use that type of thinking for this. I’d need to have a talk with her about it, perhaps during the trip.

Then came the card for Trixie. Taking one of the holidays cards I had purchased in bulk (I still had a few left, thankfully), I wrote out:

“Dear Trixie,
How have you been? From what I’ve read in the papers, you’re doing very well. I wish I could see the kind of stuff you’ve been adding to your shows, but I suppose that will just have to wait until the next time we meet. Things have been good here, though I can’t deny Ponyville is a little more boring without you. As for me, I miss both the Great and Powerful Trixie and Beatrix Lulamoon, and hope to be able to see you again soon.
Happy Hearth’s Warming!
Your friend,
Dave”

I had just finished writing when there came a rapid knocking at my door. I went to answer, and found Moonlight, beaming.

“Rainbow Dash gave me the news,” she said, “and I just wanted to let you know I’ll be ready.”

“Excellent,” I said. “You’re gonna love it in Canterlot, Moonlight. It’s amazing.”

“So I’ve heard,” said Moonlight. “After Rainbow Dash left, Pinkie Pie told me about some of the stuff you can do there, and told me there was much more.”

She gave an excited little squeal, and her wings fluttered. It was really adorable to watch.

“So what are you up to right now?” she asked.

“Oh, just getting some stuff squared away for Hearth’s Warming,” I said. “Making out a long-distance card for a friend who’s traveling.”

“Ooh, wow!” said Moonlight. “Whoever they are must be lucky to have such a thoughtful friend as you.”

“Aw, shucks, Moonlight,” I said, modestly.

“Well, I won’t keep you,” she said. “I just wanted to let you know I’ll be ready when you all are. Good night!”

“Night!”

Moonlight headed off, and I shut the door behind her. Heading back to Trixie’s card, I sealed it up in its own envelope, addressed it for the show mare, then set it aside. I’d bring it to Twilight when we met to go on the trip, and she could use the spell she was talking about on it. I wondered if I’d even get a response from Trixie because of it. However, that doubt was quickly pushed out of my mind, and I went off to bed.

Monday, December 19


***


On Tuesday morning, I received a letter from Minister Ironmane.

“Dear David,
I thank you for your assistance in this affair. You need not trouble yourself about Miss Hooves meeting with me. I am already settling arrangements for her to come to Canterlot at her earliest convenience. She shall sit down with Brutus and myself to discuss the finer points.
Sincerely,
Minister Ironmane”

Well, that took care of that. I just hoped Ironmane wouldn’t be too strict with her. Sparkler always came across as a calm mare of steady resolve, but would it hold in the company of the unflappable Minister of Foreign Affairs and a full-grown dragon? Actually, remembering the trauma that the hardware store pony went through, whatever Sparkler had said or done, perhaps I had better be more concerned for Brutus.

Nothing of further consequence happened that day until around closing time, when Bon Bon handed me a big bag full of bits.

“Here’s your advance for your days off this week,” she said. “You’ll make it up when you come back after Hearth’s Warming. Does that sound fair?”

“Definitely,” I said. “Thanks a bunch for this, Bon Bon.”

“You’re very welcome,” said Bon Bon. “We’re so lucky to have you helping us through such a busy time, and I hope you have a wonderful stay in Canterlot.”

“Thanks, and I hope your...whatever it is goes well, too.”

“Oh, that?” Bon Bon asked, giggling. “Lyra and I are going to visit her family. They’re just as nice as she is...though not quite as kooky.”

“I heard that,” said Lyra, dryly, before saying, in a kinder tone to me, “but seriously, Dave, have a great time.”

“Thanks, Lyra. I’ll see both of you on Friday.”

Bidding the two farewell, I made for home, and was just coming within sight of it when who should fall in by my side but Twilight, wearing a pink scarf, yellow boots, and a saddle lined with fluff belted around her middle.

“Hi, Dave!” she chirped.

“Hey, Twilight. What brings you here?”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d be home already, so I decided to take a walk over and see, to talk about the trip tomorrow.”

“Oh, all right. Would you like to come in and warm up a bit?”

“That’d be very nice, thank you.”

I let Twilight inside, and her purple eyes roved around it in wonder. She’d seen it before I purchased it, but she hadn’t been to see it after it had been fully decorated.

“Excuse the mess,” I said. “I’ve been busy both inside and out.”

“Oh, it’s fine,” she said, seating herself on the sofa. “If anypony knows what happens to a house when the pony living inside is studying all the time, it’s me.”

I glanced down at the books I’d been using for my work, gathering dust in the corner. Twilight laughed, and I joined in, somewhat awkwardly.

“In all seriousness, though,” the unicorn went on, “Rainbow Dash told me everything, and I’m fully on board with the arrangements. The best train we can take tomorrow is the 8 AM express, and we should be back home sometime Thursday, depending on what we accomplish. That should leave us plenty of time during both days for shopping and showing Moonlight around, wouldn’t you say?”

“I knew leaving the scheduling to you was a good idea,” I said, earning a smile from her. “And how about accommodations?”

“I’ve already talked to Princess Celestia about it. She’s made arrangements to book us rooms at the Mareiot Hotel. Rainbow and I will share a room, while you and Moonlight split another.”

“That was awfully nice of her to arrange that for us.”

“I know, right? It pays to be her protege, on more than one occasion.”

“Apparently,” I said. Then, on a sudden inspiration, I said, “Hey, Twi, since you’re here, do you think you can send Trixie’s card now?”

“Ohh, you made it out?” Twilight asked, eagerly.

“Yeah, it’s on the table. Let me go grab it.”

“No need,” said Twilight, stopping me. “I’ll grab it.”

Her horn flared up as she looked at the table, and I saw the envelope addressed to Trixie levitate into the air and float over to her.

“Showoff,” I said, but in a good-humored way. “Now you’re sure this spell of yours works?”

“Absolutely. I tested it with a letter addressed to Fluttershy all the way in her cottage. She told me it arrived right in front of her, though it gave her a bit of a scare when it just popped out of thin air.”

“Oh. I hope Trixie won’t be in the middle of a show when it arrives. I’d hate to imagine her act being interrupted and going sour because of me.”

“It’ll be fine,” said Twilight, reassuringly. “Now, just give me a second…”

She squeezed her eyes shut, her mouth working into a concentrated frown as she, as well as I could guess, worked up a mental image of Trixie. The glow around the letter intensified, and in a bright flash, it vanished completely. Twilight reopened her eyes.

“How’s that?” she asked.

“Very nice!” I said, approvingly. “I just wonder how long it’ll take a response to get back the normal way.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” said Twilight, getting on back onto her hooves. “I’d better get going, though. We want to be up nice and early if we want to catch the 8:00 train.”

“All right. Thanks again, Twi.”

“Happy to help. Good night!”

“Good night.”

Twilight saw herself out, shutting the door gently behind her, and I went to get my stuff ready for the trip tomorrow, packing my saddlebag. I’d been waiting for this day to come, and I was eager to get it done. Tomorrow I’d be moving into the final stage of Operation Gift Get.

Yeah, that was a name I came up with for this whole self-made mission of mine.

I could be such a dork sometimes.

Tuesday, December 20


***


The next morning, the four of us were ready to set out for Canterlot. Moonlight was very much impressed by my fancy ensemble, but gave a jump when the train pulled in. She had never been on a train before, as far as she could remember, and was both mystified and a little intimidated by the sight of it. How embarrassing it must have been to feel intimidated by a pink locomotive. But I digress. 

Twilight gave the three of us a surprise by unveiling something she had secretly packed just for us: the next Daring Do book, entitled Daring Do and the Cave of Nightmares. Rainbow, Moonlight and I immediately dug into it, the two pegasi pressed against me as I held the book between us, Twilight smiling at our investment. Though the train ride wasn’t enough to finish the whole book, obviously, we read enough to keep us hooked for the whole trip.

The train pulled into Canterlot station, and the four of us set out into the city. Moonlight hovered above us, looking this way and that in amazement at the enormous, austere city around her. She kept swivelling this way and that in midair, as if she were a marionette being twisted around on its strings. She earned quite a few funny looks from passersby because of this behavior, but thankfully, no one said anything aloud. Perhaps it was because everyone felt a little nutty or exuberant around the holidays. The streets were packed with ponies going this way and that, laden with shopping bags and full saddlebags, foals with their noses pressed to the glass of toy shop windows, and ponies standing by donation buckets, ringing their bells and asking for charity.

Our first stop was to the Mareiot to drop off our luggage. The rooms booked for us were clean, cozy, and well-lit, and the balconies offered a view of the pool area below, though it was much too cold to even think of swimming, unless it was in the hot tub. There were even complimentary mints left on our pillows. The towels were even folded origami-style. Now that was a sure sign of excellent hotel service right there.

With our bags dropped off, and my bits stashed at the ready, we set out into the streets. Twilight said we could split up to accomplish what we needed to do, but that she would take Moonlight with her so that she wouldn’t get lost. We would meet back at the hotel by sundown. All of us agreed to this course of action, and we split up, Rainbow rocketing down the street, while the others trotted off at a more sedate pace.

Here in Canterlot, I had to get vermillion silk for Rarity, something from the Wonderbolts shop for Rainbow Dash, something Daring Do related for Moonlight, and tickets to Octavia’s concert for Fluttershy and Ironmane. I kept running them through my head like a kind of mantra: silk, ‘Bolts, Daring, tickets.

Rarity’s vermillion silk was proudly on display in Canterlot’s premiere fashion boutique, Le Roche’s, alongside several more of other colors, but equally extravagant. It wasn’t exactly cheap, but Madame Le Roche, the proprietor, spoke highly of it. She ordered her employees to bring a bolt of it for me. It was cumbersome, but Madame Le Roche offered to have it sent by delivery. It would cost even more, and I was beginning to worry that I might run out before all of my shopping was done. On the other hand, how would I look lugging a whole bolt of cloth with me down the street, even if to drop it off at the hotel? After a few minutes’ indecisiveness, I decided not to go along with it. Madame Le Roche therefore had it carefully wrapped to protect from the cold and snow and, moving as quickly as I could with it, I dropped it off at the Mareiot before making for the Wonderbolts store.

The store was jam-packed with ponies trying to buy Wonderbolt memorabilia for Hearth’s Warming, scrabbling for plushies and T-shirts. As best I could, I wormed my way through the crowd and headed for the posters. To my relief, there were still some remaining of the one Pinkie had told me about: Wonderbolts past and present, with its three main members, Spitfire, Soarin, and Fleetfoot front and center. It was interesting to see the designs of the old Wonderbolts uniforms and how they evolved over the years, in a kind of timeline composed of iconic members. 

Even as I looked, however, they were beginning to fly out of the rack. There was one left now, and I made a lunge for it. Just as my hand fell on it, a little hoof also did so. Looking down, I saw that the hoof belonged to a colt no older than any of the Crusaders. He was wearing a little cap bearing the Wonderbolts insignia, and was even wearing a Wonderbolts jacket. He looked at me with sad eyes, as if he was worried I was about to take the one he was hoping for. My heart hurt me sorely to see a kid look so sad, so, with a kind smile, I pulled out the poster and handed it to him.

“Here you go,” I said. “You take it.”

The colt’s face split into a wide smile, and after blurting out a ‘Thank you!’, he made his way through the crowd to where his parents must have been waiting. I sighed. It was a shame to give up on the poster Rainbow Dash would have most liked, but I just couldn’t stand ruining a kid’s holiday. Browsing around, I settled on another poster that I figured Dash would like: Spitfire, Soarin, and Fleetfoot standing tall and proud in front of a realistically-rendered lightning-crossed background, the Wonderbolt insignia superimposed on the bottom. Grabbing this, I made for the checkout, where I could see the little colt still excited over his new poster. That big happy smile was worth having to give it up.


***


My luck had held out so far, but it seemed to be escaping me now. I wandered this way and that around town, but I couldn’t find a ticket booth advertising Octavia’s concert, or any store that had any worthwhile Daring Do merchandise that wasn’t sold out. Daring Do plushes, pith helmets, costumes, action figures, even collections of her books were selling like hotcakes, and each and every time I arrived at a store selling them, I was too late to get my hands on any of it. When I asked the store representatives when they might expect a restock, they merely said it was difficult to say. At least they weren’t the kind who’d laugh in your face if you dared ask for a Turboman doll. I just prayed that I’d be able to find something tomorrow, at least, for Moonlight’s sake.

The sun was setting, and I must have tread half the length of Canterlot, still not having found a ticket booth or a gift for Moonlight. My feet were killing me, yet I couldn’t stop moving. My neck was also getting sore from constantly swiveling my head this way and that, looking at shop windows. In fact, I was so busily engaged in this that I didn’t see where I was going, and bumped into somepony in the street, knocking my hat off. I seemed to be doing that a lot lately. It was starting to become a nasty habit.

When I returned to my senses, I saw that the pony I had rammed into was Octavia herself, who now dazedly wore my hat.

“Octavia!”

“Oh, goodness, Dave!” said Octavia. “One of these days, we must meet up without you taking me by surprise like this.”

“Sorry about that,” I said, accepting my hat from her and putting it back on. “It’s funny that I should run into you like this. I was looking for a ticket booth, to see if I could buy tickets for your New Year’s concert.”

“Were you?” asked Octavia, interested.

“I have a couple friends who would love to see it, so I was wondering if you could tell me where I might be able to buy tickets to it.”

(Did I seriously label Ironmane as my ‘friend’?)

“Well, I have good news and bad news about that,” said Octavia. “The bad news is that the tickets have sold out at the booth.”

“Oh,” I said, feeling my spirits sink. “I was afraid of that.”

“The good news is I have some reserve tickets, and I’d be more than happy to let you buy two.”

“Really?” I asked, excitedly. “Great! How much?”

“Together, 70 bits.”

70?! I knew it wouldn’t be cheap, but to hear the price spoken to me in my face was still staggering. Regardless, I still had to have them. With a sinking feeling in my stomach, I pulled out my bag of bits and doled them out for her. There wasn’t much left in the bag after that, but I pulled myself together as she handed me two crisp, cream-colored tickets.

“Thanks,” I said, regaining myself and pocketing them. “It’s a dent in my savings, but then again, aren’t these kinds of events always like that? I appreciate it all the same.”

“Oh, it was my pleasure,” said Octavia. “Think nothing of it.”

“I know you’ll play spectacularly on New Year’s,” I said, “but all the same, good luck!”

I took her dainty hoof in my hand and kissed it graciously. She blushed, but still smiled.

“You are a gentlecolt,” she said, kindly. “It was good to see you. Collision notwithstanding.”

“Same to you. Good day, then, Miss Octavia,” I said, tipping my hat.

“Good day,” said Octavia, inclining her head.

The two of us went our separate ways as, despite the soreness of my feet, I couldn’t help walking with a spring in my step at my good, if costly, fortune.


***


That night, in the room I shared with Moonlight, I sat in bed, deep in thought. I was glad that I had been able to acquire the tickets, but what it, the poster, and the bolt of fabric had cost had bitten hard into my savings, and I didn’t have much left at my disposal. The thought that I had been unable to find a suitable gift for Moonlight gnawed at my insides, but I couldn’t let it show. I didn’t want to spoil her good mood, after all. She’d had a wonderful time touring Canterlot with Twilight, and had gotten quite a bit of shopping done. I wondered if she had seen the Daring Do merchandise, watching it sell out faster than you could say ‘shopping spree’. She didn’t say so, so I didn’t bring it up. I had to do something, though. I had to find a way to get the perfect gift for my young friend.

As the two of us were settling in, I was about to turn off the lamp when I felt a pair of forelegs clasp around my shoulders, and something warm rest against my cheek. Moonlight had clambered out of bed and given me a close hug.

“Good night, best friend,” she said, softly. “Thanks for bringing me.”

Her best friend...She considered me her best friend, and I hadn’t even been able to find her anything after searching all day. It took an effort to keep my eyes from tearing up as I put an arm around her in reciprocation.

“Good night, Moonlight,” I said. “You’re welcome.”

She went to her own bed and fell asleep almost at once. As for me, I lay half-awake, thoughts of what lay unaccomplished still racing through my mind.

Wednesday, December 21