//------------------------------// // You've Got Mail // Story: Prisoner // by Hearts n Hooves //------------------------------// I sat there for what felt like minutes but was really hours, staring at the beautiful flower. My mind was so overwhelmed it felt empty, and I only noticed how much time had passed when it became too dark to discern the intimate details of the beautiful, reddish petals. I searched my gardening shed for a small pot for the Heart’s Desire, and once I had the flower resting cozily in a bed of rich soil I set it on the work desk in my bedroom. After untying my scarf and hopping into bed, I laid staring at the flower across from me. Why did she give it to me? I wondered. It doesn’t mean anything, does it? No... Of course not. It can’t. It might have been an accident. Perhaps it was a simple act of thanks... Yes, that’s it... she must have been thanking me... I rolled over in my bed, and turned out the light. It felt late, and I needed to rest after such a nerve-wracking day. I’ll just... take it back... tomorrow... give it back... later... -*- When I awoke, the morning had already grown old. Through the window I could see the clear, blue sky and Celestia’s radiant sun hanging high above the horizon. I picked up the Heart’s Desire and took it into the kitchen, where I had a small breakfast. As I ate, I studied the flower. I’ll take it back later. I looked out the window again and saw the mail pegasus, Derpy Hooves, fumbling with her messenger bag. She was squinting, as if trying to focus on something very small; eventually, she located a letter and slipped it into in my mailbox. I curiously watched as she pulled a small muffin out from her bag and took flight, smiling for no apparent reason. If only I could face the world like she does, I thought, maybe then I’d be somepony to everypony. I wish I could be that brave. I went out to see who had sent the letter, hoping it wouldn’t be another commission request. The last thing I wanted was another project to work on, since I’d just recently finished the last one. As I pulled the letter out of my mailbox, I felt something crumple under my hoof, and I looked down to find another letter. Derpy must have dropped it... I wonder who it’s for. I picked up the envelope and saw that it was addressed to Spring Glory. My heart nearly skipped a beat at the thought of her, and I rushed inside where I felt less vulnerable. I brushed the dirt off of the letter, set it under the Heart’s Desire, and sat to catch my breath. After a moment, I opened my own letter; inside the envelope was a very formal letter requesting a sculpture for Mr. Jet Set―no doubt a high society pony―to be displayed at his garden party. I was relieved to see that the letter included specifications such as material, size, and a deadline; it may not have been much to go on, but it was certainly more to go by than for some of my previous commissions. Folded into the letter was a down payment check for fifty bits. I sighed and took the letter to my work desk, blew off some old wood shavings, and pulled out some parchment. According to Mr. Jet Set, this piece was “of the utmost importance, for it shall be the centerpiece of the garden,” and I had about three weeks to complete it. I wrote a brief letter of acknowledgement and set it aside for later, then began sketching various ideas for a small statue suitable for a garden party. Each sketch I scrapped and each scrapping kindled my frustration. Eventually, I was staring blankly at the wooden patterns on the desk, unable to continue. “Ponyfeathers!” I left the desk and stood gazing out through window again. The view of Ponyville was as fantastic as ever from my hilltop house; I could make out very vague figures of flying pegasi, earth ponies, and unicorns going about their usual business. For a short while I stood fixed on Ponyville and its denizens, wondering how it would feel to be a part of its society. I turned from the window and saw the Heart’s Desire glowing in the sunlight. The velvety petals swayed in the breeze coming through the window; the flower looked eerily like a beating heart, lethargically pulsing to provide life for Celestia knows what. I found my saddlebag and gathered Spring Glory’s letter, my letter to Jet Set, the down payment check, and finally the Heart’s Desire. I quickly flew up to my room and retrieved my scarf, wrapping it securely around my neck. As I was leaving the room I caught a glimpse of myself in the small mirror near my bed and saw the strained, frustrated expression on my face. I stopped in front of the mirror, feeling a bit uneasy. Sweet Celestia... I look so frazzled and disoriented. I frowned at myself, which only made things worse. I need to relax. I trotted down to the kitchen and set everything on the table, then started running the warm water in the bathtub upstairs. I hopped in, and once it was full of warm, steaming water I stretched my wings out, took a deep breath, and submerged myself under the soothing water. After a moment, I rose from beneath the surface and leaned comfortably against the side of the tub. As the warmth seeped into my body I could feel the tension in my muscles release and my headache fade away. I nearly dozed off, but the water began to cool so I pulled out the stopper and let the water drain, flushing away my ailments. I leaped out of the tub and dashed out to my backyard, where I flew high into the sky as fast as I could. Then, I let myself freefall, skydiving down towards my garden, and pulled up before I came to close to the ground. I repeated this twice more, and when I landed I felt dry and rejuvenated. I went back inside and flew up to my room, where I quickly combed my mane back. I stopped in front of the mirror again, and was relieved to see no sign of frustration or discontent. I went back down and tied my scarf in its place. As I was double checking my saddlebag and its contents, a sudden knocking on my door nearly startled the life out of me. I reluctantly walked to the door and opened it, where I was startled yet again. Standing before me were two Royal Guards of Canterlot, tall and intimidating. “H-how... may I help you... uh, sirs?” I muttered. “We’ve come to inform you that the Princess’ royal pet has gone missing,” said the broader of the two. “Should you happen to see the royal pet, please report to us immediately.” He held up a drawing of a rather ill-looking bird of some sort. I stared blankly at the picture, then at the two guards. “The Princess... is here? Today? Right now?” I asked. “Yes,” said the other guard. “The Princess attended the brunch party at Sugarcube Corner today. The royal pet, Philomena, disappeared just after the party was cut short by her highness’ royal duties with the mayor of Ponyville.” “Oh... I didn’t realize. If I find anything... I’ll be sure to let you know right away,” I said. “Thank you for your cooperation, sir.” They turned and headed down the hill while I was immobilized. Princess Celestia... is here... I somehow managed to find my hooves again, and I shut the door and sat at the kitchen table. My mind was hazy and disconnected, and I muttered a few garbled sounds. I can’t... I can’t go out now... not now... My saddlebag was still on the table, and I could see a few of the petals of the Heart’s Desire. I pulled the flower out of my bag and held it firmly in my hooves. I could smell it’s sweet, yet bitter fragrance; it’s said that Heart’s Desire smells different to each pony, unique to his or her individual attractions, but the theory hasn’t been proven yet since nopony can actually describe exactly what they smell. I’ve always had the notion that the scent of Heart’s Desire changes with each individual pony as his or her personality changes over time. The various flowers, fresh air, and soil I smelled brought Spring Glory to my mind, but this time my heart didn’t flutter and I wasn’t surprised. I have to go. Hesitantly, I flung my saddlebag over my neck and carefully set the Heart’s Desire within it. I opened the door and stepped outside, gazing down on Ponyville. Then, after a moment of self-doubt, I took to the air and glided down towards the small town.