//------------------------------// // 27: Sent via the daily post. // Story: Strange Letters from a Queen Bug Horse // by Roadie //------------------------------// Twi, I'll thank you for the invite, but I have to turn you down. First: the flattery of my costume design skills. I cheated. I'm not going to tell you when, where, or how, yet. You'll find out eventually. For now, you may take it as a given that any contribution I could make with needle and thread would be at best useless and at worst at least somewhat hazardous to anypony in the general vicinity. (But thank you.) Second: It is true I have a great love for the theater. It is also entirely true that, by all rights, I should be an extraordinary actress—though I will note that, while you are correct, you have made an extraordinary jump to conclusions merely from my extremely talented imitation of your friends and townsponies. Anecdotes are not data, Twilight, as this contradiction will immediately prove: I get stage fright, Twilight. I've tried. In every context but the theater stage, I prevaricate and imitate and reticulate very neatly, but on the stage with an audience I freeze. I will not offer further context but to mention that some time before the last Summer Sun Celebration I attempted to take part in a Canterlot theater troupe and enjoyed a glorious career that ended in unexpected retirement thirty seconds into the first performance with an audience. Thus, no, I will not take part in your Hearth's Warming Eve pageant, though I will wish it success. I will make an appearance if I can, but I am more than likely to be extraordinarily busy for some fifteen-tenths of that day and twelve-tenths of the next. You already know my complaints about my excessively large family, and I am a lynchpin of more than one business and charitable venture that will be very busy for Hearth's Warming. Lim. P.S. Have you considered inviting Kevin? I understand he quite enjoys that kind of thing.