A Muffin For Muffins

by BatwingCandlewaxxe


Progress Report Week 34

Progress Report Week 34
Had a most singular visitor this week. Sunset Shimmer, another friend of Twilight's, and one as smart as she is (I hardly expected that to even be possible). She was a bit taken aback at my interest in magic, but quickly warmed up once we started talking. The three of us sitting around the library chatting about magic theory, what an amazing experience. I have to say, I'm a bit in awe of Sunset. She lives in an alternate version of Equestria. Originally another gifted student of Princess Celestia, I understand there was some unpleasantness a number of years ago (they didn't go into details and I was hardly about to insist), and she fled through a portal into another world. Dimensional travel! I can hardly visualize what that must be like! (According to Sunset, there's a version of me there who is a little above-average in intelligence, and a bit strange. I can't imagine how she could possibly be stranger than I am. I'd love to meet her, but Twilight says that's not a good idea. I guess I'll defer to her on that for now.) Sunset Shimmer is studying how magic works in that alternate Equestria. As I understood from our conversation, that dimension did not even have magic until she crossed over and brought it with her, and it manifested in substantially different ways. Truly fascinating.

We talked about her studies for while longer, then it suddenly struck me, like a bolt of lightning. I had this... Vision? Epiphany? Not sure what to call it. I could... perceive the three strains of Equestrian magic, supposedly completely separate, but not actually separate. As somehow... linked... like three huge branches extending upward from a hidden tree trunk, or elaborate variations on a simple musical theme.. I tried to explain this to Twilight and Sunset, but they didn't seem to quite grasp what I meant; and I still do not have a clear enough understanding of my vision to explain myself more effectively. The idea is compelling, however, and I am strongly considering making it a primary focus of study. I'm already pushing the limits of practical magic theory, and getting into some fairly esoteric stuff that the princess hasn't spent a lot of time on (although she's starting to, when her duties permit, I think I re-kindled her interest. I hope so, it will be fun having a study partner).

When Sunset left, I noticed an... interesting exchange between the two unicorn prodigies. I do believe there was a bit of something more than ordinary friendly affection involved. Might the "virgin princess" have a marefriend after all? I wonder if I should ask Rarity about that, she's fairly good about noticing those subtle cues, and with my complete lack of experience, I may have been misinterpreting.

My exercise program isn't going very well. I can keep Muffins on hers, but have a much harder time pulling myself away from my studies. I mentioned this to Rainbow Dash, but she doesn't have time to work with me like she did before, what with her Wonderbolts Reserves duties. She did put me in touch with a friend who runs a simple flight-training program locally, so that should help.

Still arguing with Redline over dialog in "The Nine Princesses". She insists I should drop it from the collection. I can't do that, it's one of my favorites. I have three others on a similar theme to send her. Hopefully we can get this resolved. I'm definitely not accepting the staff writer position, I am too involved in my other researches, and want to focus on a book anyway. I'm fairly close to publishing one, I think. Just need to finish revising my other stories, and get a hooffull of new ones committed to paper. I'm writing even faster these days. I've discovered an ability to write with both hooves and my mouth almost simultaneously, so long as I attach the quills to my hooves with with a strong garter and not try to hold them with my pastern. I've nearly doubled my writing speed this way, though it's still hard to keep up with my thought processes. I wish there were a faster way of getting my thoughts down. (If only I was capable of telekinesis, like a unicorn.) Sometimes I envy Twilight's relationship with Spike. Such a capable and devoted assistant would be a tremendously valuable asset. But such is not, alas, to be.