//------------------------------// // Twilight // Story: Lost Opportunities // by Mewrilah //------------------------------// “Okay that’s the last shipment,” you breathed a sigh of relief as you placed the semi-heavy box of books in the library. “Thank you so much for helping me carry all these books from Princess Celestia,” your lavender hostess smiled. “Even with Spike’s help this would have taken all day.” “Well, you’ve been gracious enough to let me live here, the least I could do was pitch in,” you returned her smile, wiping some sweat off your brow. “I think I’m gonna go grab a glass of lemonade.” “No you won’t,” Twilight held a hoof in front of you. “I’ll get it for you.” With that she trotted towards the kitchen. You found it odd that Twilight hadn’t just summoned a pitcher and some glasses for the both of you, but honestly you were too tired to think about it. You took this time to reflect on the past 4 months. You weren’t sure how exactly you arrived in Equestria, only that you were found unconscious near her castle. Seeing as you didn’t pose an immediate threat she took you to the hospital, where you lay in your coma for several weeks. All the while, she rarely left your side, mostly to do as much research as she could without actually communicating with you. When you did finally come to, she bombarded you with more questions than you could think possible. Luckily for you, her friend Fluttershy intervened, mentioning that you were most likely taken from your home and probably needed your questions answered first. Although you were still a little shaken up about the magical talking horses around you, you thanked the pegasus, telling her she was right on point. Twilight, now blushing from embarrassment started from scratch, allowing you to start the questioning. A few more weeks had passed, and you met the other princesses of this world, to which they deemed you safe enough to be released from the hospital and meet other ponies. Since no one knew how exactly you arrived in Equestria, there wasn’t much any of the princesses could do. If they sent you back using another method, there was the risk of you not making the trip or ripping a hole between the dimensions, if there wasn’t already one to begin with. Seeing as you were stuck here, Twilight couldn’t help but feel like it was her fault, that her magic wasn’t strong enough to send you back home. To make up for it, she offered you a room in her castle, and that you would be cared for greatly. Not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth you gratefully accepted her offer. The sound of Twilight’s hooves against the crystal brought you back from your reminiscing. She was humming a tune you never heard and had not only brought lemonade, but some snacks as well. “I hope you don’t mind that after our break, we can start organizing all these books,” she pleaded with her large, sparkling magenta eyes. “Why not,” you couldn’t help but smile at her cuteness. “I don’t have anything else planned for today.” You weren’t sure why, but there was some ease when Twilight was in the room. Contrary to the knowledge that she was the least likely pony to be calm at any given moment. There were bits and pieces of your past life that you remembered, but somehow it seemed that you already knew this little alicorn princess. You figured someone back on Earth had her determinedness, her eagerness to explore the unknown, but going through your memories you didn’t know who. You started noticing things you hadn’t previously as the both of you set about placing her books on their proper shelves. Well you had noticed them, just not in more of a romantic way. Her heart melting smile as she went on about how excited she was that the princess had given her some copies of the books found in the Starswirl the Bearded wing of the Royal Library. Her radiant, magenta eyes full of wonder and focus. Even though you swore you would never look at a pony that way, you had to admit she had some nice, accentuated curves and was overall a beautiful mare. She caught you staring and asked what was wrong. “Just a little tired,” you answered somewhat truthfully. “If it’s ok with you Twilight, I think I’m gonna head to my room and rest a bit. I’ll be back to help you with the books.” “Ok,” she smiled, resuming her task. You got off your ladder and headed to your room. Lying down on your bed, you began to question your sanity. Why were you now thinking of Twilight like that? When asked about if you would try and find more than friendship with a pony, you explained that even if they were sentient creatures, loving them like that was taboo. Sure you loved animals, but actually being in a romantic relationship, you weren’t quite ready for that. You seemed ready now, admiring all of the traits Twilight possessed. But did she even see you that way? Or had you just become another best friend? It became harder to think, as that sweet, soothing thing known as sleep cast its spell on you. You were miraculously back home, in your room. As you refamiliarized yourself with your house, one thing stuck out. It was bigger, emptier than you remembered, despite the fact that you had been living in a crystal castle for the last couple of months. You got dressed, well more like made yourself presentable and headed off to work, the muscle memory never forgotten. Arriving at your job, you realized another thing. You weren’t happy. It always was the same routine, a vicious cycle of grey that clutched onto your hopes and dreams, locking them away until you were nothing but a shell, another pawn on the chessboard. Then why did you want to come back in the first place? Your 9-5 shift over with, you drove back to your house, the colors of your dream still a faded blur, that is till until you pulled up into the driveway and turned off the car. The lights in your house flickered on, but instead of the usual white light, they seemed to push back the monotone dullness. You quickly got out of your car to see who had turned on the lights. The door to your house opened slowly, revealing none other than… Twilight? Sure enough, the lavender princess was now standing in your doorway, her wings stretched out as if to hug you. You slowly walked to her, wondering aloud why she was here. She just smiled that beautiful smile and when you finally reached her, she pulled you into a hug, one you happily reciprocated. She led you inside, closing the door behind you two. You picked her up and carried her to the couch, sitting down before placing her beside you. You couldn’t help but stare into those amazing, deep orbs and felt yourself being pulled closer and closer to them. Closing your eyes and practically feeling her breath on your lips you cupped her cheek and … KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! The sudden noise yanked you from your nap, your heart racing, from the startle or the dream you couldn’t tell. It wasn’t until you heard Twilight’s voice from the other side of the door that you came to your senses. Wiping your eyes, you shuffled to the door and opened it, a nervous and fidgety alicorn greeting you. In her magic a white envelope with a red seal floated into your hands, before she dismissed herself, not giving you the chance to invite her in. Walking back to your bed, you carefully opened the letter, not wanting to ruin its pristine appearance. In it you found two letters, on the outside of one the words “Read first”. _____________, I’m writing this letter to tell you that I can’t hide my feelings for you any longer. At first I dismissed them as just some sort of sympathy, that just being a friend for you wasn’t enough. But as I got to know you, the real you, I found myself falling for you. You are always just so willing to help, not just me, but other ponies too. Whether it was physical labor or simply an ear to lend, you always had time for us. My feelings were further confirmed when Pinkie threw you that surprise not birthday party, and you took turns dancing with each one of us. My heart fluttered, still does flutter, when I remember how you held me in your safe, warm arms. I know that falling in love with a pony is something that you are uncomfortable with, and I’ll understand if you don’t even feel the same way, but please. Give me a chance. With anticipation, Twilight Sparkle You couldn’t help but smile at her words. Why did it take a dream to realize what you have in front of you? You quickly opened the next letter, ready to tell Twilight how you had been such a fool and reciprocated her love. Hey _____________, So I had finished reorganizing, don’t worry you had done enough for today, you deserved a nap. Thank you by the way, you always are such a big help. However, I’m not writing this letter just to express my appreciation. As I returned to my room for some rest myself, I saw the letter you hopefully read first sticking out of one of my drawers. Rereading it, I shortly relived the memory of writing that letter. A wave of emotions just flowing over me. However, I was too scared of actually giving it to you. What would you have thought? Would it ruin our friendship with you knowing I had a crush on you? I couldn’t risk that, so I saved it, maybe so that one day I would be brave enough to face you and tell you how I felt. Now I’m afraid that all it was was just a phase. I still do care a great deal about you, just not that way anymore. Even though we only met just a few months ago, it feels like we’ve known each other for years. I felt you deserved to know how exactly I felt about you and if you have any questions I’d gladly discuss them with you. I truly am blessed to have an amazing friend like you. Always by your side, Twilight Sparkle You gulped as you read the last part of the letter. Why did it take a dream to realize what you had in front of you? Yes you had your morals, but maybe you were being a bit too strict with them. It didn’t matter now, the opportunity had passed. You read the last line again. I truly am blessed to have an amazing friend like you. “Me too Twilight,” you whispered to yourself, a tear forming in your eye. You clutched her letters tighter. “Me too.”