//------------------------------// // Postcards from the Edge // Story: Luna's Librarian, Twilight's Moon // by TheLastBrunnenG //------------------------------// My Dearest Luna, I know we spoke just a few hours ago but I wanted to leave you this letter anyway. Since the night you and I became involved, we’ve never been apart this long. Three months may not seem like much but even here, in an Equestrian Express sleeper car only a few minutes out of Ponyville, it already feels like an eternity. You and Celestia arranged this trip just for me, and I can’t turn down an opportunity to study non-Pony magic. I know you wouldn’t want me to, even though I’ll be out of contact for almost the entire time. The Shining Hinterlands of the Deer Dominion and the nomads of Saddle Arabia don’t have regular mail service with Equestria so I don’t know when I can get a message to you. I’ll try. When we’ve been separated before, we always had Spike to send messages anytime we wanted. I still owe the little guy a tub of sapphire-dusted ice cream for our little “Night of A Thousand Texts.” The girls will check on him all day every day, I know, but I do wish I could have brought him on this trip. Celestia said she’ll bring him to Canterlot at least once while I’m gone - don’t let her forget! Thank you, thank you, thank you for last night! Not that you aren’t the first thing on my mind anyway, but that - honestly, “memorable” just doesn’t do it justice. There we were, perched on the only cloud for miles, floating higher than Mount Everfree, just the two of us under the brightest moon and most brilliant stars I’ve ever seen. If I hadn’t been lying in your hooves, I couldn’t have told with certainty where the sky ended and where you began. And what came after was… sublime. You once told me the stars have eyes; I hope they don’t have ears too, otherwise I might have deafened them a little, and probably half of Ponyville too. I’m going to teleport this last letter back to Spike, so I need to wrap it up before the train gets too far from Ponyville. Every time I see a moonrise, I’ll know you’re watching over me. I’ll be back as soon as I can, and definitely in time for Nightmare Night. I love you, Luna. Your Little Spark forever, Twilight ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SHIPPED TO: LUNA, PRINCESS NIGHT COURT, CANTERLOT CASTLE BILLED TO: DASH, R. care of PIE, P. D. SUGARCUBE CORNER, PONYVILLE PACKING LIST SUMMARY, ORDER # 20111022 QUANTITY - ITEM# - DESCRIPTION - PRICE 1 - 4LEGLVR/U/M/PR - INFLATABLE LOVE PONY / UNICORN / MARE / PURPLE - $20EB BUYER’S PURCHASE ORDER NUMBER: IN_CASE_YOU_MISS_YOUR_LITTLE_SPARKY BUYER’S REFERENCE NUMBER: BEST_REGARDS_FROM_PONYVILLE_HA_HA_HA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ATTN: NIGHT MOTHER FROM: CINC NGF HINTERLAND SECTOR OPERATION: DUSK ENDEAVOR Situation report: NGF deployed along primary and alternate rail routes. Subject TS arrived Shining Hinterlands without incident. TS met with Deer representatives, escorted by Deer honor guard to capital. Local threat level is SNOWMAN. TS to commence research at outlying archaeological site 2.2 miles due W of Deer capital, time to completion 20-25 days. NGF cover holding, mission remains ROE White / Weapons Hold. Will continue to monitor TS remotely and escort as necessary. As per your orders, additional NGF squads in Hinterland Sector placed on standby for immediate extraction of TS should recall order be received. NGF deployed in advance to Arabian sector. Initial scouting reports open terrain and limited cover. Stealth escort probability is low. Local government control over surrounding territory not complete; TS security cannot be guaranteed. Preliminary threat assessment is LOOKOUT. CINC NGF Arabia Sector requests permission to escort TS openly. Request permission for Arabia Sector NGF to advance status to Weapons Free. Please advise. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ATTN: NIGHT MOTHER FROM: CINC NGF ARABIA SECTOR OPERATION: DUSK ENDEAVOUR Orders received and confirmed. Primary NGF will hold at Saddle Arabia border and remain on standby for immediate extraction of TS should recall order be received. Per your orders, no open escort of TS required within Arabian borders. Will attempt to covert escort where possible and maintain long range recon. Subject TS has been advised of situation covertly. Subject TS capable of substantial active self defense. NIGHT MOTHER - can we “borrow” TS when she comes back? If NGF is going to train against magic, then we should be training against the best, and TS is damn sure it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Little Sister, I hope this letter finds you well during your stay in Ponyville. It was very thoughtful of you to visit Spike and the Library while Twilight is away, and I know her friends will appreciate the opportunity to visit with you. Your night skies have been especially lovely these last few months, Luna. I’m sure she knows how eagerly you’re awaiting her return, but the artistry you’ve put on display in building your heavens recently is quite the beautiful reminder. As you know, the Saddle Arabian deserts are cloudless this time of year - given Twilight’s penchant for astronomy, I feel certain she’s spent many a sleepless night just counting your stars. Who knew my little Lulu would be such a romantic? Yours, Tia P.S. Enclosed is a copy of the Illustrated Kamare Sutra. Thought you might like a little light reading while you’re away. Twilight’s birthday is next month, you know.