Ponies all across Equestria have sought the help of the princess-goddess sisters who rule them. Time dictates whether one princess or two was available to aid them, and if one was ever held in favor over the other.

Princess Celestia has dedicated her life to helping every good pony.

But there are always ponies who cannot be helped.

Proofread and edited by CoffeeBean, VoxAdam, and NorrisThePony. An entry into Cynewulf's Worldbilding Contest. This story has been reviewed and recommended by PresentPerfect, you can find the spoiler-filled review here! Contribute to the TVTropes page!

Once upon a time, everypony spoke the same language.

Then came Discord, and everything changed. Was it a malicious prank? Boredom? An attempt to teach everypony a lesson? We can't ask him, because he's gone, and who knows when he'll be back.

If language is the glue that holds society together, what happens when it turns to sand?

Winner of the October Writeoff competition, "Illusion of Choice."

Humans... humans are such a bizarre race. Capable of the greatest benevolence and the worst atrocities. And yet, they're so very predictable. For you see, while societies may die, and nations may crumble, one thing will remain constant: the desire to survive.

I should know. I was there when everything fell.

This story is a sequel to A Stallion for the Time Being

Minuette likes strong drinks, good-looking stallions, and Twilight Sparkle (who upon occasion has been known to be a good-looking stallion). Oh, and she's the physical embodiment of the metaphysical concept of 'Time'.

Twilight Sparkle likes books, rationally-developed hypotheses, and Minuette (in any form). Plus, she happens to be the incredibly powerful alicorn Princess of Science (totally a real thing).

Together, they have a perfectly happy (if complicated) relationship. But Ponyville has more than its fair share of mysteries, and when trouble comes knocking... Minuette is there to pretend she's not home.

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This story is a continuation of sorts to A Stallion for the Time Being, though reading it is not strictly necessary. These short standalone stories are a change of pace for me, focused on Twilight and Minuette dealing with a variety of supernatural shenanigans. More to come as ideas strike me!

Edited by: Exuno
Preread by: barbeque
Cover image by: Ghost

Come closer here—my heart, my host.
Come closer. Hear my heart, my host,

Is only staid with presence close.
Were love a potion, ample dose.

My night-ful bride, I need your boon.
My baleful bride, I need you soon:

For what’s eclipsed by half a moon?

[Cover art by by tractareSolidum
Now featured in the Royal Canterlot Library!]

In the cold winter of Ponyville a single spirit walks alone.

Twilight Sparkle is a gifted student and scholar. When she attempts to harness her creative side by writing a science-themed sensual romance novel, however, things rapidly get out of hoof. Can her friends stage an intervention before she humiliates herself (and them) at a prestigious literature recital?

No. No, they cannot.

Bon Bon visits Lyra at the mental hospital.

* * *

Audiobook by Scribbler Productions.
Reading by Crafty Arts.
Thanks to GaryOak and Reia Hope for proofreading.
Cover art by Mica Halligan.

Reviews:
One Man's Pony Ramblings
Titanium Dragon
The Royal Guard
Louder Yay

Golden Bracer, a Lieutenant of Celestia's Royal Guard, has desires that somewould declare shameful, perhaps even indecent. One day, however, these desires find him invited into Princess Celestia's own private quarters. With his honor as a guardspony on the line, Golden Bracer can only hope to keep his secret safe.

Philomena is reborn after she dies. Ponies are reborn before they die. But always changed.

It's hard for a bird to understand.