//------------------------------//
// Chapter four - The Crystal Residents 
// Story: The Stable - A Thaumaturgical Backstory 
// by StableElement 
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The residents of this place seem all brightly colored; Both in terms of coat and emotion. I need to focus on this pony though, who is this? I must look further, keep following... Yeah, I don't like the sound of what I'm saying. This is an investigation, I am not stalking... Just thinking about that made it worse, ugh. I notice that this is, in fact, a male pony, scientifically determined based on his side profile while turning a corner- He has a beard, just as messy as his mane but holding such a magical shape.

I investigate my way to what seems to be his home, he blindly opens the door and walks in, still reading his book. I creepily hover outside his door, holding my hoof up to knock but something is stopping me, what is this, why am I frozen-... No, not now- If I can't overcome this damned anxiety I will never share this knowledge!

I remain frozen for a good minute or two before I feel a nudge on my shoulder, somepony attempting to get my attention, my eyes remain fixated on the front door and my hoof hovers, shaking in front of me. The pony places a hoof on my shoulder and asks "Hey, you feeling okay, fella?". I place my hoof awkwardly on the ground, close to my other one. I turn my head with a twitch towards the pony; my breathing is all over the place. I reorient my body and reply "Yes, no I'm fine, I- I just, I" I freeze up again.

The pony relaxes their hoof on the ground and off of my shoulder. "You know Sunburst?" He asks, seemingly referring to the pony that lives in this house. A brief observation determines that he is delivering post. I reply quickly "Well, no- no uh- not exactly, I just wanted to- well, I-"... I continue to stutter, unable to formulate a sentence, my mind is too busy. "Well here, let me help you out, I'll knock and you can take your place after I deliver the post. I must warn you, he's not one for conversation." He suggests with a smile. This might just be the only way I achieve any contact with this "Sunburst". "That sounds pe-perfect, thank you, thank you very much" I respond, relaxing my awkward pose.

The mail-pony knocks with a rhythm on Sunburst's door but to no response; He knocks again, this time louder and without much rhythm, this time, dramatic volume emitted the building. An inconsistent trot to the door later, the orange pony opened the door with the book still levitated in front of him. "Hello Sunburst, how was your trip to Ponyville?" The mail pony asks with a persistent smile. Sunburst lowers his book for the first time I've seen yet, his glasses were at the end of his muzzle. My hoof twitched, wanting so desperately to readjust them for him- dangit. "Oh, hello, sorry, it was... Exciting, worrying, pretty sporadic!" Sunburst responds. "That's nice, you have 3 more letters here, and a pony who wants to talk to you" The mail pony responds with a forced smile.

Sunburst takes notice of me, I put on a smile quickly, awkwardly glancing around, struggling to maintain eye contact. "He-Hello, hi Sunburst! That's your name I assume, I- I hope" I remark, hoping he's not busy or bothered. Sunburst looks at me, smiling before responding "Hello, what is it that you need?". I search besides me for the mail pony but it seems he had left already. Some of my confidence had returned, I look at Sunburst, step my front right hoof up one step before asking "Sunburst, your book, what is it about?". Sunburst looks at the book and then back up at me; "Oh this? It's about magic that can't be acquired by choice, something inherited? I'm not sure yet, that's why I'm reading it!". My eyes light up, I stare at the book and quickly back up at him before asking "May I come in?" in hopes that I can talk to him in private about my discovery.