//------------------------------// // The secret admirer (Twilight) // Story: Tangled Wings // by Short-tale //------------------------------// “Oh Twiiiiliight!” Spike’s sing-song voice echoed through the crystal palace. I knew what it was about but didn’t want the teasing.  “Not right now Spike, I’m in the middle of a very important experiment.” I was trying to make a spell that could make my laundry do itself. I would have a lot more time for friendship missions and research if I didn’t have to worry about chores.  “You know I could just wash your clothes for you right?” Spike arrived in the hallway with his hands behind his back.  “I don’t want to burden you with them. Besides then you’d see my delicates… no. I’ll do it myself with magic.” I focused on the next portion of the spell. “Twilight the last time you tried this you somehow filled all the cabinets in the kitchen with bubbles. Everytime I grabbed a dish I got a bath. Not something I want to relive, though I was really clean that week.” Spike stood still in some sort of daydream I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. At least he forgot about- “Oh! You got another gift from your secret admirer.” He pulled the badly wrapped gift out from behind his back and shook it. Something inside buzzed and I cringed. It was flattering to think some pony out there was attracted to me, Celestia knows no pony else was. But the strange presents delivered in the mail were somewhat disturbing and hazardous. “I’m afraid to open it.” I looked at the layers of duct tape woven around it in a haphazard pattern. Of course that’s if I could open it.  “What’d they send you last time? Chocolates right?” Spike handed the box over to my magical aura to take.  “Chocolates with bits of glass in them. Luckily they were sticking out on the top and I didn’t try to eat them first. I’m not sure if this “admirer” likes me or is out to kill me.” I scanned the inside of the box first but nothing came back as explosive.  “The time before that it was a blanket right?”  I remembered staring at the strange warm thing that came in the first box. It was a squarish roundish fuzzy piece of cloth. I wasn’t sure what it was supposed to be. Somehow the seamstress managed to sew folds into it and it barely covered me. But it was so soft. I wanted to use it but I couldn’t figure out how.  “Ok, I’ll open it,” I said after the last scan showed no magical tampering had taken place. I placed the box gently on the table, one that was sure I wouldn’t miss if things went wrong. Slowly I peeled away strip after strip of tape. How it stuck to my magic I couldn’t figure out, but eventually the item lay innocently bare. Until a buzzing came from it again.  “What is that?” Spike asked hesitantly. “We’re about to find out.” I prodded the glued end of the box and slowly drew back the flap. Instantly the buzzing increased as an irate flash bee escaped. Its mandibles clicked and it narrowed its eyes on us. “They sent us bees!” Spike cried and dove behind the couch. “What is wrong with them?!” The flash bee dive bombed me a few times before I was able to get out of its way. It was painful. My flank was burnt and swollen from its electric venom. I knew Fluttershy wouldn’t forgive me if I rainbow blasted it to bee heaven. She would remind me the creature was scared and confused. So I opened a portal next to it somewhere in the fields. The sudden change in air pressure guided it out and I closed it as the bee left.  “It’s gone, Spike,” I said, rubbing the sore spot. “Are you sure? They didn’t send more of them?” A nearby pillow asked and shook as I inspected the rest of the package.  “Huh? There are flowers in here too.” I pulled out a couple of bright looking bulbs. They looked like tulips that were bright red and blue with roots still covered in dirt. “Look, a note!” Spike was on the case again, his fear forgotten, pulling out a crumpled sheet of paper. “Roses are red, violets are blue, I like you, do you like me too?”  “So it is somepony that wants a romantic relationship.” The other presents just had cards that said secret admirer on them.  “Look they spelled secret right this time.. still working on admirer though.” Spike shook his head and placed the note down.  “That’s it!” I shouted as the flowers made sense. My admirer gathered those shades to match their poem. They had been hastily snatched from the garden in front of the castle.  “What’s it?” Spike looked closely at the flowers and came to the same conclusion I had. Or I think he did.  “What are you going to do, Twilight?”  “I’m going to write this ‘admirer’ back. Tell them if they want me to like them so much stop sending me glass and bees and tell me themselves.” My quill raced across the page. Enough was enough. I didn’t want my mail to be filled with trepidation. I wanted to enjoy my mail like everypony else. I wasn’t sure how much they enjoyed it but I was sure it was a lot more than me. “But-but how are you going to find them?” Spike hopped up next to me watching me write my own letter for once. “There was no return address.” “Derpy.” “Derpy?”  “She’s the one that brings the mail. She would know who’s sending them.” It made sense. If anypony knew who this mysterious suitor was it would be the one who brings the packages.  “But she barely remembers who she is half the time? How is she going to know?” Spike followed me as I put the letter in an envelope and strode to the door.  “You don’t give her enough credit, Spike. She’s not that bad. She’s actually kind of sweet in her own way.”  “That doesn’t make her any smarter.” Spike sighed as we made our way to the main door. I was going to take this letter to the mailmare myself.  “You have to see the good in ponies, Spike. We all have our quirks. We all have our strengths. You just have to give her a chance.” I opened the door and jumped. The mail pony was still there. “Hi!” She said with an exaggerated wave.  “Uh hi. Derpy! Good thing you’re here! I have a letter I want you to mail.” I put the letter in hooves.  “Yes Princess Twilight,” she said with a salute. She was about to take off when I put a hoof on her shoulder. “Hmm?” “I didn’t tell you where yet.” She closed her wings and looked up at me, shaking her head back to focus her eyes. “I need you to deliver this letter to the pony that’s been mailing me these packages.” “Th-the secret admirer?!” She gasped a little then reddened. “Yes. That one, do you know them?” “Yes...” “Do you know where they live?” “Yes…” “Please deliver that letter to them.” I waited while she stared at me for a while as if unsure where to move. Her eyes went sideways and she didn’t correct them this time.  “I can’t,” she said with a sad look on her face. She looked like she was about to cry.  “It’s ok, calm down. I can do it if you tell me where they live.” I put on my most gentle smile.  “No, I can’t deliver this letter because you already did.” Derpy’s eyes filled with tears and I stared at her not comprehending. I haven't delivered anything yet. I just gave her the- oh! “Derpy?” I placed a hoof on her shoulder. I wasn’t sure what to say. “I-I am your secret admirer.” The mailmare broke down and began to cry. I wasn’t trying to upset her by finding out who she was, I just wanted to know.  “Why don’t you come inside? We’ll make you some tea and we can talk ok? Spike can deliver the rest of your mail.” I ushered her inside.  “Oh thanks…” Spike said flatly. “You can help with the mail and probably see your friend Gabby.” I added. I knew how he felt about her. His tail shot straight back and his eyes bulged a little. “Ok, sold! Where’s the rest of the mail?” He looked around eagerly as I helped the deflated admirer to the table.  “There isn’t any, it’s my day off. It didn’t feel right to take the time to bring the Princess presents and get paid for them.” She sat down and noticed the flowers I had just extracted. It was starting to make a lot more sense.  “It’s ok, just compose yourself for a moment while I talk to Spike, alright?” I wanted to help her but I had no idea what I should say. I needed advice. Spike looked a little dejected he wasn’t able to escape. I quickly pulled him around the corner to talk. He glanced at the upset mare at the table then followed me. “What should I do?!” I asked, shaking him slightly.  “What do you mean?” He asked looking up at me as if nothing mind blowingly earth shattering had happened.  “She’s my secret admirer Spike! What should I say? What should I do?!” This was no time to play dumb. It was an emergency!  “Ohhhh yeah, so what are you going to tell her?” “That’s why I’m asking you!”  “Well, do you like her? I mean you said she’s sweet, right?” Spike asked, raising his claws in a nonchalant manner.  “Sweet is one thing but she likes me, Spike! Like likes me! Can she even date? Does she know what that really means?” It was not something I ever prepared for. Love is kind of a part of friendship so I should have but this was definitely more in Cadence’s court.  “You’re the one that said not to underestimate her. She might not fully know everything but she does have feelings for you and she’s trying to show them. Maybe you should give her a chance, like you said. At least one date.” My own points were being stabbed into me with some mirth. He found the whole thing funny. I could see it in his eyes.  “Oh No!” There was a shout and crash. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the possible destruction of the room I left her in. “Derpy? Are you ok?” I asked coming around the corner only to be bowled over as she ran into me. There was a roll and a flop as we both ended up on the ground in a heap. Luckily we avoided the cliche compromising position but managed a tangled mess of hooves and wings instead.  “What’s wrong?” I asked, trying to avoid mentioning the collision that just took place. Obviously something upset her or scared her. I didn’t want to think about what crashed.  “I didn’t mean to send you bees! I didn’t! They were flowers when I put them in the box, I swear.” She placed her hooves over her eyes and sobbed. She must have read the letter I wrote. I cursed my lack of foresight for not taking it back from her. I cleared my throat as I tried to get up but the upset pegasus writhing around didn’t make it easy.  “I found the flowers, and there was only one bee.” I was finally able to get on my hooves but Derpy remained deflated on the ground. “Did you pick them from the garden?” She nodded, still trying to hide her face. It was really cute but also heartbreaking. I tried not to think about the former. “It’s likely the bee was in the flower you picked and placed them both in the box. But I’m not sure how you got glass in the chocolate.” “I dropped it the tray I made them on. It was made of glass and when I took the chocolate out I didn’t know how hot it was. It burned my hooves and I dropped it. The glass broke and I couldn’t tell which parts were glass and which parts were the salt I put on top…” She looked at the ground. “Do you at least like the blanket?” “Well it is the softest, warmest blanket I ever used.” “I used my down in it. So it was warm and soft, and some part of me would be close to you.” She looked at me, her honey eyes wide and full. There was so much hope there, I knew she meant the gesture to be sweet, not as creepy as it sounded.  “Well it’s very soft…” it was the only thing I could think of.  “So what now?” Derpy said slowly standing up, still looking at me with those big eyes.  “Well the bee is gone, the chocolate I had to throw out, but the blanket is still in my bedroom. So it’s not like there was much harm done.” I looked over at Spike who smacked his forehead. I realized that’s not what she was asking and I was stalling.  “Oh that what now… uh.” What should I say? Should I give her a chance? Would I survive that? Or should I let her down as gently as possible? But wasn’t this the opportunity I was looking for? Some pony that liked me because of who I was not because I was a princess. Derpy was simple, but honest and loyal. Her displays of love may not be extravagant but I never needed that.  “Ok, we’ll at least go on one date and see how it goes.” I figured it was the least I could do for her. She really tried hard and that sweet innocence was rather refreshing and intoxicating.  The words barely left my mouth before I was knocked over again. This time it was definitely more compromising. I lay on my back with an excited, joyous pegasus on top of me. Her hugging wasn’t to Pinkie’s level but close. She didn’t want me to go anywhere.  “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Princess! I knew you were the best pony to tell my feelings to. Doc said it would never work but I knew you wouldn’t turn me away.” She buried her head in my chest and rubbed her face in my floof.  “Right, uhh, so when did you want to go on this date?” I wasn’t sure she understood I was just going to go out with her. It didn’t mean we were going out. Or did it?   “Ooo! Our first date! I can’t wait! I can’t wait! How about now?! Or maybe tonight? Doc told me exactly what to do! He said he would help me if this worked.” She hopped off me and half fluttered around half pronged. She bumped the chandelier which sent it swinging wildly back and forth.  “Watch out!” I grabbed her to make sure she didn’t send it crashing down on her head. She immediately curled up in my hooves. “I didn’t know you were the cuddly type. I don’t mind but aren’t we supposed to wait until after the date?” The pegasus had shrunk into an easily cuddleable ball. “I was just trying to save the- it’s fine. I look forward to tonight.” I needed to get her excitement out of the castle to keep things intact. I decided it would be best to walk her to the door so she couldn’t break anything else.  “Can we dress fancy?! I want to dress fancy for our date.” Derpy tried bouncing in my hooves but I was able to maneuver her outside.  “A fancy date. Do you have fancy clothes?”  “Yeah! Roseluck said she’d let me borrow them! See you tonight!” She tried to fly off again but I held her. “What time? And where?” I didn’t want the poor mare running all over the place or showing up in the middle of my shower to go out. “How about evening? And meet at Doc’s house? Is that good?” She returned to her sweet naïve innocence. “That’s fine. See you tonight.” I slowly let her go.  She beamed like a beacon. “I know you’re excited. You held me the whole way out. I knew this was a good idea!” She laughed then flew off into the air. I wasn’t sure where she was going. It certainly wasn’t in the direction to her house or the Doc’s but she soared through the clouds like a poem. I felt oddly lighter watching her, and missed that warm of her form on my body. Was I that needy or was it actually something more? I guessed I would find out that night. “Spike? Do you think the ‘princess’ dress is too much for a first date?” I levitated the garment in front of me in front of the mirror. It looked as beautiful as when Rarity first designed it. I knew it fell out of fashion a while ago but I never cared about what was current. It seemed like a dress for a special occasion and I wanted Derpy to know she was special. “Uhh aren’t you taking this a bit seriously? I mean Derpy would probably be happy if you showed up in a trash bag. Let’s hope she doesn’t.” Spike didn’t look away from his comic. He always did that when he was uncomfortable. I wondered why a date would bother him until I realized I never went on one before.  “She’s worked really hard. I should at least show her my best. She deserves that.” I placed a plain dress over the other then threw it on the bed with the rest. It was much too plain to be considered “fancy.” In the end I settled on the princess dress. I wasn’t sure where we were going but it was so well known for me that I’m sure it would do. I found myself impatient and a little nervous. I walked around the castle and couldn’t focus enough to read. Was I really looking forward to this or just trying to check it off my lists of things to do? I couldn’t think like that, not for a date. She deserved my full attention and enthusiasm. The thought made me relax a little. I suddenly didn’t care if I was really looking forward to it or not. It was a date and I would be there mentally and physically. I arrived at Doctor Whooves’ home a little early. It’s better to be early than late and I couldn’t focus on anything else. Sudoku could only distract me for so long and the books felt a little dry. I looked into all the things that could go wrong on a date but it seemed self fulfilling and I didn’t want a disaster.  I knocked on the door much harder and faster than I expected. It was hard to stand still and I glanced back and forth as the citizens of Ponyville passed by. Most of them were just curious.  The door opened and a mare timidly peaked out. It was strange seeing Roseluck away from the flower stand and her friends/coworkers. But she slowly came out with a look of shock on her face. I felt like I had interrupted something or somehow failed at this already. “Princess Twilight? You actually came?” Roseluck looked like I was a ghost or a hologram. She even poked my shoulder then put her hoof down looking ashamed.  “Yes? What’s wrong?” I wasn’t sure what this was about. “Are you actually taking Derpy on a date?” Roseluck asked, more shocked than anything. “Well she asked me so I guess she’ll be taking me on one.” I was a little embarrassed that something like this was so hard to imagine. Was I that geeky that ponies didn’t think I would date? Was that why no pony ever asked me out before? “Well, she’s ecstatic. The Doc is still trying to hold her still enough to get her ready. I’m kind of surprised you weren’t just humoring her.” Roseluck opened the door and waved me in. I followed finding a bunch of strange devices and instruments that I didn’t know what they were for. Maybe I should pay the doctor a visit and learn about them all.  “Well, I’m mostly flattered anypony wants to date me. She’s a sweet mare. It’s hard not to like her.” I found myself saying something I truly believed. It was hard not to like Derpy.  “I know, but are you really going to date her? I know it’s just a date but she gets so … fixed. I don’t want her hopes dashed. It's been a hard time getting her to acknowledge her feelings for you. I hope you understand what that all means, not that I want you to feel pressured or anything. Only date her if you like her in that way of course.” Roseluck looked around like a conpony caught in a lie.  “She means a great deal to you. I won’t hurt her. If it doesn’t work out I’ll find a way to break it to her gently.” Though I had no idea how. “That’s all I ask.” The mare turned and called out to the back. “Princess Twilight is here!” “Really? Great whistling stallions! I have to tighten this cor-“ “Princess Twilight! I’m almost ready!” Derpy’s excitement was like a wave or a sonic rainboom. The room felt a little brighter. Perhaps she hit a light.  “There!” The hard working Doctor cried with a satisfied huff. Then he and the excited mare appeared from the back. Derpy was stunning. Her mane was combed and braided into two long strands that ran around her head and interwove in the back. She had a bright red corset on and a black and red striped full gown. She twirled and whirled around on her way to me.  “Isn’t it pretty?” She asked as she spun it around, watching the panels fan out. “Doc had it made for me!”  “Yes,” I said in a near breathless whisper.  “I’m glad you like it, “ Doctor Whooves said, placing a handkerchief to his forehead and dabbing. “Now Princess please be careful with her. Don’t give her more than one or two glasses of wine, bring her home by 11 at the latest, and try to avoid any place where the glasses are stacked.” “I’ll write that down,” I said, pulling my notebook out and making some checkboxes.  “No! Don’t worry about that, Princess,” Roseluck interrupted. “Just show her a good time please.” “Yes… of course,” the Doc said with an embarrassed cough. “Are you ready, Princess Twilight?” The beautified pegasus bounced happily in front of me. “Yes, where are we going?” “The Hayburger!”  I paused for a moment and allowed what she declared to register. The Hayburger was a grease filled, fast food palace of deliciousness. But it wasn’t known for ponies dressing up to go. “Are you sure you don’t want to take me to some place… fancier?” I asked with an uncertain smile. “But it’s your favorite place, I see you there all the time. I don’t want to take you to a place you don’t like. I don’t want to get it wrong.” She looked away with fear and disappointment in her eyes. “I think the Princess is saying ‘you’re dressed so fancy you should go to a restaurant that’s fancy’. Not that she doesn’t like the Hayburger.” Roseluck winked at me and patted the deflated mare on the back.  “Yes, that’s what I was thinking.” I assured her. “A fancier place hmmm…” Derpy sat for a while in thought. Her eyes darted back and forth as if she was reading. Then they separated again. “What about … the Hay…burger?” “How about ‘Fruit of the Vine’?,” Roseluck hastily suggested. “It’s our friend, Berry Punch’s place. She just opened and could use a Princess visiting. It’s pretty fancy, and you know her Derpy.” “Yeah! Berry Punch is nice!” The mare immediately refilled with enthusiasm. She ran out the door and I quickly followed. “Have a good time!” Roseluck called as we left. I couldn’t help but notice the unease on both of their faces.  Derpy paused for a second and waited for me, pronging in place, then took her take off stance. My mind became a blur of calculations and trajectories. At her strength and the amount of thrust she needed she would take off and hit the nearest building. “Why don’t we take off together,” I quickly said. “From about here.” “Kay!”  She and I took off at a much more logical spot and avoided any collisions. It made me think that she wasn’t as klutzy as she seemed. Perhaps her physical impairment made it hard for her to see what the best place to start from was.  We arrived at the Fruit of the Vine without incident. I just had to encourage her to fly a little higher or swerve at a tighter angle. She happily obeyed, not taking any of my suggestions as criticism. We landed together, safely amongst a throng of ponies gathered by the restaurant’s doors. It looked like the business’s opening night.  “It’s PrincessTwilight! Get a picture!” The entrance flooded with light as flash bulbs fired around us. Berry was standing by the door welcoming guests and quickly intervened.  “Princess Twilight, what a lovely surprise! Have you come to sample some fine dining and wine?” She prompted with a confused glance at my date. “Yes.. it looks like such a glamorous place.” I said admiring the heavy wooden structure. It looked like bars I had seen in pictures from Prance. I noticed a few ponies that had ties there inside.  “A perfect place to bring a date, right?” Berry pressed a little harder. “It has the essence of Prench romance.” “Oooo… so that’s why we’re having our date here?!” Derpy said, dreamily looking at the front of the building. “Did she say date?” “Is the Princess on a date?” “Princess, how long have you been seeing this mare?” “Is Derpy your special somepony?!” “Is this an effort of the government to improve the postal service?!” “Is it true your friend has many wild animals as pets without a proper license?!” “Uhhh..” I didn’t know how to answer all these questions at once. The flash bulbs flared as I hesitated, thinking of a diplomatic way to answer some of them. Derpy stood in front of me, looking like she just won a prize. She placed her wing over me, holding me close. “The princess and I have a very special date tonight, so please don’t crowd us. Thank you.” My jaw dropped as she confidently turned after her speech. The flash bulbs continued their barrage, with one pushy photographer snapping a shot inches from our faces.  Derpy’s eyes were pinpointed and she staggered around towards the door, still trying to lead me. Then she walked face first into the door.  “Oh sorry,” she said, bowing slightly to the closed door as if it was a pony. She turned and walked smack into the other door. I caught her before she hit the ground.  Her eyes swam around in her head a little until they finally dilated again and fixed themselves on me. I looked around hoping some pony would bring her an ice pack, but was thrown by the strange expression and redness of her face. “I-I thought this was supposed to happen at the end of our date,” she said looking around sheepishly.  “What wa-“ Before I could think of asking she lifted her head up and kissed me on the lips. It was the first kiss I ever got from another pony. Her lips were so soft and her face was so warm. I forgot the storm of popazzi in front of us and got lost in the pure affection my date radiated from her.  Then she slowly broke away and I froze, my lips still puckered out in a daze. I hadn’t expected her to be so forward. I guessed she was pulling out all the stops. The popazzi became a droning hum and I forgot what I was doing and why. “Ppsssst! Twilight! Why don’t you go inside?” Berry whispered out of the corner of her mouth and the world rushed back into focus. I nodded and swayed a little as Derpy rolled back on to her hooves and followed.   I had to get us inside. The world was still off and titled somehow until- smack! I walked straight into the door as Derpy had done. Luckily a waiter noticed our plight and opened the door for us. We entered the suave Prance room with its sophisticated decor. Rarity would have a field day with this. I didn’t really understand much of it myself.  “Ahh Princess Twilight and… date.” The maitre d of the bar welcomed us. “We have the royal table available, which is perfect for a more intimate and reserved evening. Is that satisfactory?” “Sure..” I said, wiggling the pain from my snout. I momentarily thought ‘how intimate’ and reddened. Derpy was definitely ready for much more than I thought and didn’t want to imply the wrong thing.  Luckily the table wasn’t too bad. It had cushions that were placed next to one another rather than having a barrier between us. What did they expect we Princesses did when going to dinner? Or worse, what do the other Princesses do when going out?  Derpy wasted no time, scrambling past me to pull my cushion out. She bowed as I sat down. Then she tripped over my tail and belly flopped on her own cushion.  “I’m ok, I’m ok!” She cried and popped back up in front of the table. “And don’t worry about anything Princess, I’ve been saving my money for weeks for this so get whatever you like.” “Since we’re on a date you can just call me Twilight.” I opened the menu at the same time Derpy did and I saw her expression stiffen in a frozen smile. I glanced at the prices and understood her plight. The waiter returned and she immediately blurted, “The house salad is free right?!”  “Uhh, yes.”  “I’ll have as much of that as possible!” The little pegasus shook as she put the menu down. I looked at the waiter.  “She and I can order whatever we want, my funds will cover it. Tell her it’s on the house because I’m a princess.” The telepathy spell I learned was handy for times like this.  “Madame,” the waiter began,” You are with the Princess so your meal is automatically comped.” She stared at him unblinking.  “Free,” he clarified. “Oh! That’s lucky. Then I’ll have some dressing with the house salad.” She sighed in relief.  “Very good and you ma Princesse?”  “I’ll try the hou-“ I noticed Derpy had a concerned expression and realized she probably wanted me to order something more extravagant. “The Tour De raisin.”  “Of course,” he said, bowing and taking our menus. “Can I interest you in any of our selection of wines?” “It is a wine based restaurant…” I looked at my date who fidgeted a little. “I’m sure that’s free too Derpy.” “Oh, uh I’ve never drank wine before…is it really ok?” She shrank a little like a foal that did something wrong.  “Doctor Whooves said you could have two drinks,” I reminded her. She brightened immediately. “I think it’s fine, it’s our first date after all.” “Can you order for us? I don’t think I know these words…” She pushed the wine menu to me.  “Perhaps a flight to start you off?” The waiter suggested. “We just flew here.” The confused mare pointed out. “No, a wine flight.” “I don’t think you’re supposed to drink and fly,” she said even more confused.  “It’s a bunch of different wines to try,” I explained, showing her the red flight picture. “We just have to choose red or white.” “Can we get them striped? I always liked stripes, especially on socks.” The mail pony had no shame. Unless she had no idea what those were for, which was likely.  “We’ll just get a flight each.” I said, quickly shooing the waiter away.  “But of course.” The waiter left holding a hoof in front of his mouth.  “So…” I began, trying to move things away from riské conversation. “What sort of things do you do for fun?” “Like hobbies?”  “Yes.” The mare thought for a while then shook her head sadly. “I don’t have any. What do you do?” “I enjoy reading, scientific and magical experiments and of course enjoying the company of my friends.” I dreaded what they would say when they heard about this.  “I’m not good at reading.” The pony that had to deliver the mail admitted. It explained her problems with her writing in her letters. “Well, do you have difficulty because you have a hard time seeing or it's just not interesting.” I could help her see better with magic I was sure. “Well.. the truth is.. I read about things and then find them to be so much better if you go do it. I can read about a young mare flying on an adventure or I can fly through the air on my own adventure.” Derpy looked at me with a strangely thoughtful look and I couldn’t think of anything to say.  “Plus the writer gets the best parts wrong.” She continued as the flights were served. “The best parts are the little things. Like watching the rays of sunlight shift through the sky. Or how warm the breeze is in summer. They never mention how great the apples taste in autumn. Or spend any time on the sparkles on the water. If you watch them they curl with the water it looks like.”  “That’s pretty deep.” I said with a thoughtful tone. It wasn’t the type of thoughts I expected her to talk about. “Not really, the water was kind of shallow.” She drank another drink of wine from the flight. I sped up my pace so she didn’t drink too much.  “I meant the thought. Sounds nice though, just watching the water sparkle.” It sounded so free. I didn’t know if I could do something like that with no goal in mind. The checklists made me feel safe, accomplished, and important. Derpy just seemed to enjoy life and what it had. “Pr- Twilight, can I ask you a question?” Derpy had finished the last shooter of wine as I finished the last one I had.  “Shoot.” “I don’t have anything to shoot. And I would never hurt you, on purpose.” She looked offended and I couldn’t help but giggle.  “Sorry, it means you can ask your question.” I felt my body start to loosen up from the wine. I couldn’t tell if it was affecting her at all but it was certainly affecting me. I was never much of a drinker and it had been a long time since I indulged.  “Oh ok, have you ever run through a field because you liked the feel of your legs moving and the grass brushing your hooves? And if you go really fast your mane sails behind you like a flag. The wind hits your face and you feel the breeze tickling your nose.’  “Or roll around on the all the clouds in the morning just to see which is the fluffiest? Or dance in a moonbeam because you’re happy it found you?” I couldn’t respond. The ideas she was talking about sounded so foreign, so wonderful, so magical I couldn’t express what I felt as I heard them. She sounded so free in ways I had never known. Despite her poor vision she had seen things in ways most didn’t dream of. She might be forgetful but she remembered one of the most basic truths that the majority of us forgot. Life is about living, not accomplishing goals we invent.  “Twilight? Her innocent voice disguised her true knowledge. I began to wonder, after all I’ve done did I really experience it? I was so focused on completing the task did I even notice how it felt or what was happening around me?  “Oh!” I said when I realized she was still waiting. “Sorry I was thinking. I don’t think I’ve ever done any of the things you said.” “Most don’t but you can, anypony can. All they have to do is do it. That’s what I do. But I get in trouble for it a lot and crash into things.” Derpy rubbed her hooves together as the salad she wanted arrived. She happily placed the tiny dressing on it and began to munch happily.  My tour de raisins ended up being a giant heap of grapes. It made sense for somepony like Berry Punch. I was shocked to find the various flavors the grapes had, some were sour, some were super sweet.  Derpy looked up at the tower and stopped munching. “Ooo, there’s something I always wanted to try if you’ll let me.” She looked excited again. “What’s that?” I asked, placing another sweet grape into my mouth. I swore it tasted like cotton candy. Did Pinkie do this somehow?  “Lay down.” She commanded, hastily standing up. Luckily I was ready and caught her salad before she fully spilled it.  “I don’t think that’s something we should do yet.” Then I shook my head. Yet? Did I plan on doing something like that with her? It was something to worry about later I decided. “Oh! Uh… I mean just lay down on your side, nothing bad!” She quickly waved her hoof dismissively. She made her way to the table, grabbing the grape heap.  I layed down on my side, eyeing the pegasus suspiciously. I had no idea what she was thinking but she was glowing in excitement again.  She picked up my grapes with her hooves and slowly moved towards me. I used my magic to keep them from falling as she frantically moved into position. She would have dropped them at least five times if I hadn’t.  “Ok, comfy?” She asked as she sat by my head. I nodded looking around to make sure the paparazzi hadn’t snuck in. What was she up to? She picked up a grape with her wing and slowly brought it to my mouth. I stared at the fruit waiting for something to happen. She pressed it to my lips, hard. I had to bite it to keep from smashing on my face. Her face lit up in pride as I chewed.  “Why are you doing this?” I asked once the grape was finished. “The ponies from a long time ago used to feed their princesses grapes. I always wanted to try it. Does it make you feel powerful?” She nearly crushed a second grape into my face. I ate it. “Well, it’s nice but I don’t need to be served like this. I would rather just eat together.” She nodded but drooped while she set the grapes back on the table. “Maybe another time…”  “Ok, just let me know when. I can get the fronds to fan you with too. And bathe you…” She clamped her hooves over her mouth and reddened. It seemed the wine was having an effect after all.  “Let’s talk about that another time,” I said, covering my smile with a hoof. Not something to discuss in public.  “Will there … be another time?” She asked, growing more serious. “Are you having fun with me?”  I smiled. That last sentence came out on its own, but now that I was thinking about it, I realized I was actually having fun. “Yes I am,” I replied simply, and felt my smile broaden. “Maybe next time, we could go test which clouds are the fluffiest.”