//------------------------------//
// Pony Secrets 
// Story: Sundew's Blank Flank 
// by TheSundewOrder 
//------------------------------//

There was a large set of double doors set into the base of Princess Twilight Sparkle’s treehouse Castle. They were made out of the same wood as the tree they had been built into —oak, I gathered, as I rested my hoof on the heavy doors. From the corner of my eye, I saw Rainbow and Fluttershy exchange confused faces. I ignored them; after all the embarrassment I had felt earlier, exposing my nerdish obsession with ancient and novel architecture was not an issue.
So I sniffed at the oak, took in the gorgeous smell of nature that came with it. The wood was untreated, yet seemed strong enough to last. It was probably bound by magic, to stay in it’s natural state —to grow even! —for the rest of the Castle’s existence. I could imagine how, years from now, the Castle would reach the heights of Canterlot. Perhaps, and this made me extremely giddy, I could start drawing up designs for a bridge that would connect the treehouse to the Canterlot Castle! Since I’m sure I won’t be alive when the treehouse reaches that height, I could always give the sketches to Princess Celestia for the future. Then… then I would be remembered… forever… leaving a real, solid mark…
“Umm, Sundew?”
And that was when I realised I was inches away from licking the ancient oak. I pushed myself away from the door with all the final dignity I had left and turned towards Rainbow, my face burning.
“Yes?”
“Twilight and the others are waiting for us in the Council Hall.”
“Oh”, I muttered, brushing down my suit jacket. “Yes. Of course. Lead the way.”
Fluttershy and Rainbow exchanged one last confused look before turning and trotting down the corridor. It had a high ceiling and all our hoof-falls echoed endlessly amongst the timber vaulting. It was marvellous. There was an impression of high gothic architecture throughout the bright corridor, with large windows that peaked several metres off the ground. In these windows were stained glass tales —different from those in Canterlot, I gathered. Upon closer inspection, I realised these were all the adventures of the Elements of Harmony. From the defeat of Nightmare Moon to the banishment of Tirek, the filtered light danced in celebration. 
I mindfully noted to take time on these masterpieces, sketch them up for personal appreciation.
As I took my eyes off the captivating stained glass windows, I realised how awfully silent I had been. A few paces ahead of me, Fluttershy and Rainbow were whispering in hushed voices. I could not hear them, but I could tell that whatever they were discussing so avidly did not involve me. I bowed my head, ashamed of being so anti-social and uninviting.
Seriously? my conscious countered, berating me. Go up there! Talk to them! When else will you have a chance to talk to the Rainbow Dash and the Fluttershy? 
So I did. I galloped the gap and cautiously trotted up beside Fluttershy. I watched as she suddenly started at my appearance, then smiled delightfully as though she’d been waiting for me. Her gorgeous smile melted my heart and all my previous fears flew right out of the window.
Without warning, Rainbow galloped ahead and took off into the high ceiling. She circled above us, and Fluttershy laughed. I watched as Rainbow flew into the vaulting and disappeared, reappearing farther ahead. 
That was when my curiosity got the better of me.
“I think I’m going to join you”, I called up. 
Upon hearing my voice, Rainbow slowed down and soared above us.
“What did you say, Sundew?”
“I think”, I called, preparing myself for the gallop, “I’m going to join you. Up there.”
Before I took off, I caught a glance of Fluttershy’s shocked expression, and even heard Rainbow worriedly calling, “But… but you’re a unicorn!” I laughed as I gained momentum. Then I closed my eyes and felt the warmth cover me as my horn became suddenly alight. Magic —like a warm coat of velvet —fell over my entire body as I hit optimum speed. 
Soon, I was soaring up into the timber vaulting.

“TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT! YOU BETTER COME SEE THIS!”
I laughed as Rainbow dashed past me and down the hall. I continued flying where she had left me, admiring the intricate folds of the untreated timber vaulting —it was  exceptional. I backtracked down the hall, following Rainbow’s path, and soon came to the hidden tunnel in which she had previously flown into. This is what I had flown up to see. 
It was a large tunnel, hidden behind the folds yet not to hard to find if you were looking for it. Without hesitation, I flew into it and, moments later, tumbled out of the exit. Fluttershy was still standing below me, staring.
“Umm… miss Sundew?”
Fluttershy’s small voice floated up to me from the ground. I smiled down at her and began descending, landing nimbly on the wooden floor. I watched as she slowed her approach, her eyes fixed on my large, transparent, magical wings. 
“Please, Fluttershy. Call me Sundew.”
A smile formed on her lips. “Sundew… how did you do that?”
“Magic”, I smiled, letting my wings stretch. “It’s useful for when you’re inspecting places out of reach —and when the Princess sends you to Pegasus cities.”
Having already seen what I had flown up for, I allowed the transparent wings to slowly fade away. I stretched them out once more —Fluttershy’s already massive blue eyes seemed to get larger as the magical feathers caught the filtered sunlight —and closed my eyes. The warmth enveloped me once again, and I felt the now familiar wings melt away. I opened my eyes just in time to see Rainbow Dash followed by (gulp) Princess Twilight Sparkle flying towards Fluttershy and I.
“No! No! You missed it, Twilight!” cried Rainbow as she landed just inches away from me. 
I stumbled back.
“Oh my goodness! Magical wings!” said Twilight, staring at me in awe. 
I stared back, trying not to blush again.
“Where… how…” she muttered.
Rainbow’s enthusiasm was peaking. “They were just like those you gave Rarity that one time, weren’t they? Just, like —“ at this point, she proceeded to almost jump me, “— 20% cooler, yeah?”
But Twilight wasn’t listening. She was still murmuring to herself, staring at me incredulously. “But very few ponies know that magic. How… where…”
“Do it again! Do it again!” Rainbow yelled into my ear. “Come on, Sundew! Please!”
I eyed Twilight, who was still fixating on my now non-existent wings, but was soon pulled into attention by Rainbow. I smiled at her, carefully pushing her off, and said, “Soon, Rainbow. That kind of magic takes a lot out of you.”
“Oh”, sighed Rainbow, obviously disappointed.
I drew my attention back to Twilight, but before I could answer the question that I knew was dancing about in her mind, three other ponies and a baby dragon were galloping towards us down the hall. 
Flying had distracted me for a second there —as it always did —but soon I was feeling the heat of my humiliation climbing up my cheeks.

“And this is the Council of Friendship table!”
Pinkie Pie bounded ahead of the rest of us, jumping onto her wooden seat on the other side of the table. I noticed her cutie mark —balloons to signify her talent in throwing parties and generally inducing giggles —inscribed into the back of the chair before she jumped on it.
As if on cue, the other ponies took their assigned seats around the table. For a second, it was just Spike and I left. I glanced down at him worriedly.
“You don’t get a seat?” I asked quietly.
“Of course I do!” he said, grinning. “It’s right there, by Twilight!”
Upon hearing her name, Twilight’s horn began glowing bright pink and, with a pop, Spike disappeared from my side and reappeared by hers. He waved at me from his seat and I nodded in appreciation. 
“This room is…”
“I know, right?” said Rarity. “I chose the drapery all on my own.”
“Hey!”
“Well, Twilight helped. But come on. We all know who has the best taste in this room.”
The ponies and dragon around the table all laughed, even Twilight who’d been the target of the joke. However, I soon realised that the group of friends were not laughing at her, but with her. It was harmonious, from the way they looked at each other to the way they interacted. I guess this was why this room —this table, those special seats —were collectively called the Council of Friendship.
The high ceiling motif continued into this room, the vaulting elegantly flowing into the deep space above. Just as Rarity had pointed out, the multi-coloured drapery was exquisite. According to the colouring of their flanks, the drapery hanged above each seat connecting to the individual mares. This was when I realised that, although it was technically the Princess’ castle, it also belonged to the Elements of Harmony as a collective.
And maybe, and I was pushing it here, to Ponyville as a town. I couldn’t imagine this unique piece of architecture belonging anywhere else.
I couldn’t breathe.
“And that”, said Pinkie, suddenly appearing beside me, “was the whole castle! Do you want another tour? I can show you around again! And this time we’ll only go into my most favourite rooms! And this one, of course, because it’s my most favourite of all favourites since it’s for ALL OF US and —“
“That’s enough, Pinkie Pie”, said Twilight, climbing off her chair with a smile. She trotted up and stood beside me. “It’s getting late. I think Sundew here”, she turned and flashed a regal smile at me, “needs her rest. She’s had a very busy day today.”
“Agreed”, said Applejack, followed by the rest of the ponies. Spike jumped off his own seat next to Twilight’s and stretched, yawning. In the process, a puff of green fire exploded from his mouth, followed by a tightly bound scroll. 
As the rest of the party laughed, Twilight hastily pointed her horn at the letter and it disappeared just as Spike had disappeared. It seemed that no one but myself had noticed, and she just kept going as though the letter had never existed. I eyed her carefully, then decided that it was nothing to pay too much attention to.
The goodbyes were quick yet warm, and for a second I forgot about the events from earlier that day. However, as soon as Twilight questioned Fluttershy about the frogs that were apparently still at large around Ponyville, it all came back with a painful blow. I suddenly couldn’t wait to get into my bed and, perhaps, if I was lucky enough, out of Ponyville by midday the next day.

“This way, Sundew.”
Twilight proceeded to open the wooden door into my room, allowing me to follow her in. As she had promised, my bags had already been delivered into the Castle and were sitting patiently besides a large, comfortable looking bed. The same interior language was expressed in this room, with the fine drapery, this time in pale orange, hung from the large windows to to the bed posts.
It was luscious, bathed in soft, yellow candle-light.
“Oh, thank you so much, Princess!”
I was overwhelmed. While simultaneously dismayed by the prospect of leaving the next day.
Twilight chuckled behind me. “I told you, Sundew”, she said, smiling brightly at me, “it’s Twilight. We’re friends now.”
I turned to face her, suddenly confused. 
“Friends?” Already? Oh no.
“Of course”, Twilight said, beaming. 
She then winked at me, and I shivered. 
Then, much to my dismay, she said, “Especially now that I know your secret!” 
And that was when she pulled out that scroll.