I frown and tear open the strange envelope I have just received in my mail. It doesn't look like fan mail--I've made a deal with the post office that allows me to get it, but not in ten ton sacks--and it doesn't look like junk mail either.
"What's that, TD?" Cheerilee asks, looking up from her paperwork.
"I'm about to find out."
"Who's it from, Daddy?" Comet asks, closing the fridge door behind her with an apple in her hooves.
"Not sure yet. We'll just have to..." I take a letter out of the envelope and unfold it so that I can read it. "Hmm. It looks like its from a magazine."
"Oh, did we win a free cruise to Mexicolt again?" Cheerilee deadpans.
I chuckle and sit down on the couch. "No, nothing like that. They just want to do another interview with me in honor of the third run of my book." I chuckle and toss the letter aside. "Nothing too big."
Comet flies over to me and takes the letter in her hooves so she can read it. "So, why don't you ever do any of those interviews?"
"Well firstly, if I did, I'd have to do a lot of them, and they can get pretty exhausting."
Comet frowns and tilts her head. "But you just sit there and talk. You don't do anything, really. You're not running around."
I smile at Comet and ruffle her mane. "No, not the kind of tiring that means I just need to take a nap, although that certainly helps. I guess a better word would be 'drained.' Traveling around and being the center of attention all of the time takes a lot of energy, even if I'm just sitting there and talking."
"Oh." Comet looks back down at the letter. "But these ponies say they're gonna pay you ten thousand bits if you do."
"Pocket change, Comet," I say with a smile. "When you have millions of bits, ten thousand doesn't seem like too much money."
"Well, you could always give it to someone," Comet replies, giving me Bambi eyes. She's been my daughter for just under a year, so I'm not going to fall for that.
"You already have a good sized allowance, Comet," I respond. "There isn't much you could really do with ten thousand bits, other than a college fund. Or, you could set up a college fund if we hadn't already. We don't need the bits."
"Well, while Comet's motives might be a little selfish..." Cheerilee gives Comet an amused look. "I can't actually fault the idea. We could just donate the money to some charity or organization."
I shrug. "Could do that, yeah."
"It says here that they want to interview all of us, not just you!" Comet grins and flutters her wings in excitement. "That would mean that they'd want to talk to me too!"
"Yes, it would," I agree.
Comet hugs the letter close and hits me with another dosage of Bambi eyes. "We gotta do this, Dad!"
"It would be fun to do just one," Cheerilee chimes in. She rests her head on her foreleg thoughtfully. "I have never been interviewed before."
"Well no, that's not true. You did one for the Ponyville Press a few years back. The one about education standards in Equestria."
"Oh. Yes." Cheerilee facehooves. "Yes, that's right. I did do that. Either way, though, that's still not as interesting as being interviewed in a national magazine. That could be something to write home about to my parents."
"I guess." I chuckle again and look down at the letter still in my daughter's hooves. "So Comet's obviously in favor of it..." Comet nods vigorously. "And you don't sound too opposed either, Cheers." I gently take the letter back and give it another look. "It looks like they'd need us in Manehattan."
"Ooh, we haven't been there since your book came out the first time!" Comet says, clapping her hooves together. "This is gonna be awesome!" Comet puts her forehooves on my arm and once more gives me a pleading look. "Can we go see Phantomare of the Opera when we're there. Pleeeease? And can we also go stay in a really nice hotel with room service?"
"Oh..." I look at Comet, who's giving me her best cute look. Cheerilee has fully stopped doing her paperwork, and is looking at me intensely. At the end of the day they both know I will be the one that's doing most of the work.
But hey, who am I to say no to my wife and daughter.
"Alright. Let's go to Manehattan."
"Yay!" Comet shouts, flying up into the air and doing a backflip. "We're going to Manehattan! We're going to Manehattan!"
"I'll see about getting a substitute for the trip." Cheerilee walks up to me and wraps her forelegs around my neck. "I think we'll have fun."
"I'm sure we will."
"So, what kind of questions do you think they'll ask you?" Cheerilee asks.
I shrug. "I have no idea. I guess we'll see."
Comet; What's your favorite subject to learn about?
TD; Did anyone ever tell your about the Bugbear attack?
Cheerilee; Do you ever wish you could have accompanied TD on his adventures, or perhaps accompany him on new ones?
TD; Have you heard about the portal to Canterlot high? On that note, what are your thoughts on the sapiens that populate it?
Comet; What are some of your favorite memories since finding your family?
Cheerilee; Do you ever have to fight off other sapiens pinning for TD?
TD; Just how much can you do with your changeling parts?
Comet; What's your favorite part about Ponyville?
Cheerilee; What's your favorite part of TD's adventures that take place outside of Equestria?
Going to cut off at that. Let me know if you want more.
Huzzah! A new chapter.
And i have yet to receive the notification from gmail about its publication
What... Is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Have any of you had a run in with poison joke?
Who would be considered Comet's godparent?
What sort of interactions do you have with the Mane 6?
Do you think you'll ever punch Celestia again?
Ever have any more interactions with Blueblood?
Do you still hate singing against your will?
TD; are you thinking of revisiting a few places outside of equestria to say hello to old friends and introduce to your daughter?
TD & Cheerliee; are you thinking of adopting another foal? technically you two have enough cash on hand to have another foal. I'm sure Comet would enjoy having a sibling than Oswald.
Comet; if you wanted to have another sibling, what would you want them as?
TD;Did you ever show off your changeling abilities to Comet?
Cheerliee; Have you introduce some fellow teachers and friends to your family?
Comet; who's your favorite family friend that know your parents?
TD; are you planning on being the 'moody and tough father' if your daughter gets a coltfriend?
Cheerliee; have you been question by other beings on how you marry TD?
Comet; if your dad got wings, even temporary, would you exploit it uses?
TD; if you got Twilight to give you a pair of wings (either pegasus or thestral) and was given the chance to have them for a while-- would you exploit it so hard to enjoy time with your daughter?
TD & Cheerliee; have you thought about using that 'gift' Discord gave and just, go on anniversary dates in one form or another? Just to enjoy the time?
TD, have you ever considered using Chrysalis for your infamous face punching? You've gotten on good terms with Princess Celestia, but never the Changeling Queen, so would you use her for that pastime given the opportunity?
Comet, have you ever considered taking up your father's legacy of punching godlike dieties in the face? Queen Chrysalis can be substituted in for any of the princesses, and likely should be.
Cheerilee, have you ever considered getting a pet of your own, or is Oswald enough for you to handle?
All three of you, what would you do if Discord decided to mess with the interview for his own entertainment?
Comet, how does it feel to be raised by a teacher and a one of a kind being? How much homework do they let you cheat on?
Cheerilee, how has marrying TD changed your teaching habits, if at all? Do you teach any human subjects in your class, or has it stayed relatively the same?
TD, have you ever bought a product from the Institute of Discord's Wild Comics?
TD: Have you ever had to dissuade the CMC from attempting to recreate your journey?
Comet: If given the chance, would you punch Princess Celestia? How do you think your Dad would feel about that?
Cheerilee: What has been the strangest thing about being married to a human?
TD: Your journey was an attempt to return to your original world. If you were given the opportunity now, would you take it?
Comet: Mare-Do-Well vs. Princess Luna: who wins?
Cheerilee: If given the chance, would you visit the human world?
TD: I understand there is a notable technology gap between our home worlds. How have you dissuaded Twilight Sparkle from trying to usher in some kind of "human revolution"?
Comet: What's the coolest thing your Dad ever did?
Cheerilee: TD has to go on another adventure. Do you go with him?
Celestia: are you scared Comet is going to punch you in your face at some random stage of your life.
7388479 pretty sure chrysie is dead.
TD: Is being part changeling painful in anyway and what limitations are there for you when shape shifting
I HAVE A VERY INPORTANT QUESTION TO ALL OF THEM!
Would any of you smooch a ghost?
my only question is-
EXPLOSIONS?!
My only question, Mr. Powell, is...
Who's on first?
7388597 Heck Yeah!
Um....hi. Here are my question. Hope you don't mind answering them.
TD: How would you describe your relationship with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna currently?
Cheerilee: What's the easiest thing about teaching for you? The hardest?
Comet: Do you read Power Ponies comics? What about Daring Do? What's your favorite color? Do you enjoy school? And finally, what's your favorite story from your dad's adventurers?
A question for all of you. After reading the book I got the strongest sense of the message "it's the journey rather than the destination." What are your thoughts on that?
-Mis
I just want to make a note of something that could be kinda cool if you planned to do it: Could Comet ever make an appearance in 'The Prince' and just see how she would have got along if she was never adopted?
I'm just wondering whether you've had any ideas about this kind of thing.
Thanks!
TD; If you ever found a way to contact your human family how do you think that they would react to not only your adventures but your current family?
Cheerilee; Have you and your husband givin any more thought on adopting another foal?
Comet; Have the other foals begun to treat you different since your father became famous?
7388655
7388375
To you both I must say I broke my computer, tablet, phone and friend's computer JUST to like your comments with as much gusto as possible!
Phantomare of the Opera...why do I get the feeling that I have seen this before...oh wait I have. I can just see Comet yelling in the audience 'Come on show us the gross half of your face! Do it! Show us the gross half!'
"Mister Powell, besides the foals, main six, and Cheerilee, is there any other pony in Ponyville you're friends with? Do you have a game night the Stallions or anything?"
for all: if you could be nocturnal or diurnal with no problems involving work or education, which would you choose and why?
{an envelope is handed to Mr. Powell via the event coordinators}
Mr. TD Harrison Powell:
Do you still keep in touch with the friends you made in Schunie? Have you ever considered visiting Schunie again, even if it is when Miss Comet is older?
An Anonymous fan who sadly couldn't make it in person
P.s. Could I have everyone's autograph? I included extra paper if so.
TD, have you been back to Zebrica since your journey? Do you keep in touch with some of the friends you have made while abroad?
Comet, have you made friends with many of the other foals around Ponyville?
7388420 Who are you asking?
7388585 You forget, Chryssie can come back in the TD continuity. Has happened in The Prince, and she said it herself in Journeys. Unless I'm forgetting a perma kill in this fic, she's probably still around somewhere.
That would be my question for the Q&A, if you please.
To TD: Have you punched anypony recently, if so who?
To Comet: Do you have any friends at school? Have you ever met the CMC or Princess Luna?
To all: Does anyone in the home have any bad habits?
TD: What is your job when you're not writing stories?
Cheerilee: What levels of teaching do you do in Ponyville? Up to primary? Secondary?
Comet: What awesome thing have you done lately?
7389496 oh yeah, forgot about that been awhile since I read the journey
Okay, this might sound greedy, but my user is owned by two people. Myself, and Reverb. Technically we get our questions each, but we'll restrict them to one per.
All: Did Discord show you some alternative realities? For example one where TD choose stay rather that left.
Cheerilee,TD: Did Celestia act different with TD alone then when he with his wife? Maybe become a little more cuddling?
TD: Can you taste others love?
TD: I don't think we've seen much in the way of your hobbies. I know you practice with Reginald and the throwing knives, but what else do you like to do for fun?
TD, after everything you've gone through, have you finally figured out why kids love the taste of Cinnamon Toast Crunch?
I don't know why.
It might just be me being paranoid.
It might just be a feeling.
But i have the sneaking suspicion that SOMETHING bad is going to happen at this interview...
just a feeling though...
don't mind me...
7392956 (reads).........(walks to the door slowly opens it and slowly closes it while still looking inside)
TD:
What is the most uncanny-valley-ist of uncanny valleys you have comeacrsoss in Equestria.
How has pony culture influenced you?
What is the weirdest dream you have ever had?
What is pony food like?
Cheerilee:
What are the merits of different fruits?
What is your favorite weather?
When you were younger what did you think you were going to be doing now?
How many crushes did you have when you were younger?
Comet:
Can you describe what that chicken tasted like?
What is your best memory from the orphanage?
What is your favorite dessert?
How do you brush your teeth?
What was to longest time you went without brushing your teeth while living with your new family?
7396048 I saw a confused comment. I know that you know what it is, but soneone else didn't.
TD: In the event that by chance or deliberate effort Equestria comes into contact with earth as you knew when you left, (with the exception of a number of years passing equalling your time here) what would your recommendations for Equestria in regards to first contact with the people of earth? What recommendations for your fellow earthlings in the above situation? What do you think the result of first contact would be?
Oh and punching anyone in the face in any of the plan(s) should be kept to an absolute minimum...
TD, do you ever think about what your life could've been like, had you made different decisions or simply had luck spin a different way?
Comet:
Why are you so cute?
TD Coke or Pepsi.
7404587 Which part?
When did you know you wanted to teach?
7408357 92.
7411854
Um... No. Not true at all. I've never been in so much pain than when I had a kidney stone. Those little spikey bastards hurt.
7411957 I stand corrected, the pain people suffer from kidney stones depends on different factors, raging from size/presence of "spikes", cause of origin and location among other factors.
Kidney stones found in, despite the redundancy, in the kidneys hurt regardless of what you do, these are considered high level kidney stones since they are found in the kidneys and not your bladder/urinary system. They require a slightly invasive procedure (uretoscopy) and, if done correctly will take less than half an hour. These kidney stones are very big in comparison to mid and lower level stones, the most used procedure to remove them is Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) this procedure uses vibrations to "pulverise" the stones inside your body so they can leave as your pee.
Kidney stones found in the bladder (mid level stones) are more annoying than painful in the sense that it only hurts like hell when you put pressure on your bladder by trying to pee. The pain sensation is just as intense as high level kidney stones since they affect the same system (urinary) . These stones are quite smaller than high level kidney stones since the ducts that connect your kidneys to your bladder are smaller in comparison. The procedure used (mainly) Ureteroscopic Stone Removal thanks to the close proximity.
Kidney stones found in the urinary ducts (low level stones) are the most painful (according to some people) since they are located in, surprise surprise the penis/vagina. The reason these ones hurt the most is because, they are literally blocking the already active flow of pee, making these little f*ckers shred the inner tissue of these delicate parts of our anatomy. The good thing is, that the procedure used to remove them is easy to do and takes less than a minute (if done correctly). They use a small uretetoscope and uses a procedure called "flushing" which in this case they "shoot" a little bit of water with enough pressure to destroy the small stone stuck in your ding dong or your hoo ha (sorry, I couldn't resist using those terms)
7415556
ci.memecdn.com/118/7710118.jpg
TD: What exactly is the relation between you and Celestia? Would you still clock her if you deemed it necessary?