//------------------------------//
// Dear Princess Celestia 
// Story: How and Why 
// by Aegis Shield 
//------------------------------//

(By Isumo1489, stolen out of the comments because it is awesome.)





Dear Princess Celestia,

Today has been quite the breakthrough for me, both in my views and in terms of my studies.  I know you've told me many times about the importance of friends, but even so, I've quite often simply prioritized my studies ahead of spending time with them.  Today, however, I had a visitor that finally showed me just what I was doing, and what it would cost me.

That visitor was myself, from far in the future, age 84 by her..my...er, words.  (Edit that out Spike).  Anyway, she went on to explain what my current path of studying, and my decreasing level of socializing, 'even with my small circle of friends' would bring.  

After 60 years from now, I'd never kissed a colt, my friends and I would have drifted, my thirst for knowledge would never be satisfied, and so many things about the world, just living in it being the biggest, would have been beyond me.  At 84, Princess, I'd basically used up my life, and it took me that long to realize what I'd thought was my all-consuming purpose was, in fact, hollow.  I'm writing this after my other self vanished suddenly, I'm hoping you know what this means.  The reason for that is, I've taken it upon myself to now limit my study time to a hour per day total, with exceptions made for specific assignments.  Spike has it on record and I've commissioned both Rainbow Dash and Pinky Pie to pull me out of the library by force should I fall back into my usual habits.  

Also, right after my other vanished (that's a good way to refer to her), I made my way to Sweet Apple Acres, where I finally kissed Big Macintosh, Applejack's older brother.  This has lead to an interesting, and somewhat tentative series of 'dates' where we've gotten to know each other a bit.  So far, I know he has a very gentle demeanor, is very smart when it comes to numbers and spacial relations, and he also has a soft spot of Ms. Smarty Pants, my old doll.  He kept her safe since the 'episode' with the Want it Need it spell.  He even brought her over after our first meeting, asking if I wanted her back.  He genuinely seemed sad about the likelihood that I did, so I let him keep her, seeing how much he's taken care of her since then.  

In conclusion, I'll still be sending you my weekly friendship report, but I must also send ahead that it will be a bit more informal in terms of data researched.  Beyond that, I also wish to extend an invitation for you and Princess Luna to join me for some tea or stargazing in the near future.  It took an addition day, but I also realized how much I'd missed just talking to you in face-to-face.  As such, the invitation is standing, and anytime you feel up to it, please come right over.  Luna, well she is as much a friend as any of the girls, and I think I should spend more time with her, I'd rather as few regrets over the years as possible.

I'm now off to a party being held by a local DJ, called Vinyl Scratch.  According to Dash, it's the type where alot of ponies get to dancing and simply enjoying themselves while being around friends.  This is also an attempt to expand my circle of friends, though Dash, Pinkie, and Applejack will being going with me for support.  Wish me luck Princess.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle