The bells rung, signifying the end of the day for the young ponies in her classroom. She closed her study book, and looked at them.
"All right! You are all dismissed! Have a nice weekend!" She said, as the ponies ran out of the classroom. "Also, don't forget your homework on what Consonance and Assonance is! It's due when all of you come back!"
"Yes Miss Cheerilee!" They shouted back, as they left. Cheerilee smiled, as she now found herself alone. She made her way to her desk, looking at the stack of papers on her desk. She sighed, as she stuffed the papers in her bag and wrapped it around her shoulder. She then walked out of the classroom, humming along the way.
~~~~~~~~
She arrived at an apartment, the address on the note she recieved in the mail matching the address on the buildingS She then knocked on the door. A unicorn mare opened the door, apparently in a hurry.
"Excuse me, do you know where-" The mare kept walking, not letting Cheeriliee finish her question. Cheeriliee was wondering as to why she ignored her. She entered the now open door. She headed upstairs, until she found the room. The door was mysteriously left open, as she entered the room. The dining room was clean, and tidy. She walked further inside the dorm. She found another door open, possibly the bedroom, in her sight. She entered it to find a light brown, unicorn stallion staring off into the horizon through his window. She was a bit confused that the unicorn she was meant to teach was a male. Cheerilee then cleared her throat, as she started to speak.
"Hello. I'm Miss Cheerilee, your Caretaker and teacher. For the next six weeks, I shall be living with you to show you the ways of getting your life back on track and observing your sobreity. Pleasure to meet you." She extended her hoof towards the stallion. The unicorn quickly averted his gaze towards her.
"Do you believe in love at first sight?" he asked, his accent revealing his English background.
Cheerilee was taken aback by this question. "What?" He moved closer to her.
"You, are my Annabel Lee...you know that?"
"Ummm, listen, I have no idea what you are-" He then got even closer, causing Cheerilee's face to heat up.
"But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we-
Of many far wiser than we-
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee." He was barely a hoof's distance away from her face, talking softly and warmly. His light blue eyes gleaming upon her. Cheerilee's face heated up even more.
"For Luna's moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea." Cheerilee's red hue could be seen very clearly. She started to lean in to his face a little closer.
"Edgar Allen Hoof!" He shouted, interrupting her approach by turning to the window. Cheerilee was brought of out it, and accidentally dropped her bag, spilling her papers everywhere.
"Wh-what?" she asked, picking up her papers, confused and embarrassed.
"Annabel Lee, by Edgar Allen Hoof. Quite a remarkable poem, very "romantic" as some ponies call it. But I hardly find anything romantic about a full-grown stallion whining and staying at a dead person's grave." He then turned back to Cheerilee.
"But I guess you're one of those `easily-fooled ponies', aren't you?" he asked. Cheerilee gave him a look of utter confusion. He then extended his hoof towards her.
"Sherlock Holmes." After she picked up her papers, she returned the hoofshake.
"I'm Miss-"
"Cheerilee? Yes, I know that." He said, finishing the hoof shake. He then started to walk to his closet. He grabbed a shirt, vest, and a jacket.
"Oh, yeah, right. 'Cause of my introduction earlier on." Sherlock had his shirt and vest on, as he continued to dress.
"No. I actually deduced your name due to the fact that the papers, upon which fell to the floor, are full of hoofwriting not belonging to an adult pony, but rather, minorly illiterate fillies and colts. Thus, telling me your a teacher of sorts. And knowing that you came from Ponyville, it tells me you recently dismissed your class before coming here. Therefore, you are the one, and only, Cheerilee. The `easily trapped in the game of love' pony." Cheerilee stood there in total awe, as he put his jacket on and buttoned it.
"Well? What are we waiting for? Let's get on our way." he said, leaving the room.
~~~~~
"All right. If you were able to deduce my identity, can you be able to deduce who sent me-"
"As my caretaker? Of course." He cut her off, as they walked back to Ponyville. "The contents of your bag not only spilled your students' papers, but there was also a golden square edge peeping out from the sea of papers. Now, a normal pony would've thought of it as a gum wrapper, or a chocolate bar. However, it's quite obvious that it is a letter from the princess herself." He wrapped his scarf tighter around his neck, as he positioned his hat comfortably. Cheerilee couldn't believe it. He was right. Again!
"How-How did you know that?!" She asked.
"Elementary Miss Cheerilee. It couldn't have possibly been a gum wrapper or a chocolate bar, due to the fact that the item was sparkling. Plus, it was cut in one direction only: the top. Only letters are cut from the top. And who else but the Royal Majesties themselves deliever those type of letters. You, are quite possibly one lucky teacher Miss Cheerilee."
"Lucky indeed." Cheerilee grumbled. "There was no need to invade my....personal space Mister Holmes. And besides, where are we going anyways?"
"I did what was necessary. And to answer your second question, here we are." He said, stopping in front of the scene. Cheerilee stopped with him, as they observed. The bakery was surrounded by Royal Guards, doing investigations. Two guards were having a tough time interviewing a pink mare that kept bouncing up and down
"Sugar Cube Corner!" Cheerilee gasped.
"No dip" Sherlock replied.
~~~~