//------------------------------// // It Runs in the Family // Story: The Pony That Is Never There // by divinearcadia //------------------------------// It Runs in the Family It was the morning after Twilight's little breakdown. She had completely ignored re-shelving day yesterday and she is going to make up for lost time today even if it's supposed to be her day off. Grabbing her saddlebags from the floor, she heads back downstairs to grab a bite to eat and begin work on her checklist for the day. She pulls the book from her bag but stops immediately as she notices a piece of parchment also being held in her magic. Another surprise... She wearily thinks as she puts the book on the kitchen table and takes the letter to the main room, all thoughts of breakfast are forgotten for the time being. She sighs a sigh laced with repressed emotions and the unexpected feeling of a weight lifting off her chest. Maybe I didn't completely destroy any chance of friendship with Never There. She thinks cautiously as she settles down on her couch to read. Twilight, As you may be wondering, I am not upset about your outburst at dinner. I have had many well known and exceptionally brilliant ponies study the phenomenon that shrouds me. The experiments they've done are so numerous and ingenuous, I would fail to name even half of them. As you can imagine, they have had no success in this matter, though they have discovered the finer points of exuberant swearing in the course of their experiments. I think that if you wish to assuage your burning curiosity, my parents may be able to bank your fire somewhat. Or they may just add fuel to the fire. Regardless, if you would like to meet them, visit me sometime today and I will give you their address. I hope you don't mind the trip to Canterlot. To say the least, yesterday was one of the most enjoyable days I've had in years. You, Spike and Pinkie are all fantastic individuals and I would like to get to know you all better. Maybe we can all have dinner again sometime soon without hidden experiments and an overwhelming desire to figure out my mystery. -Never There P.S. If it's at all possible, please ask Pinkie if she would be able to make arrangements with me to be able to order more of those amazing rolls in the future. P.P.S. Also let Spike know that I've always enjoyed the cookies he sets out for the library patrons. They always make my visits to the library just that much more enjoyable. Twilight finishes reading the letter with a smile and a surge of ecstatic optimism. Maybe it wasn't exactly what she was looking for, but it's something to work with. She goes back to the kitchen and prepares breakfast of pancakes, calling upstairs to give Spike fair warning. She sits down to eat and gets about halfway through her meal when a drowsy Spike makes his blanket shrouded entrance. He takes his seat and starts eating while still half asleep. “So...” He mumbles. “Was it all just a dream, or did we actually have a really good meal with a pony who wasn't there last night?” “It happened all right, and you're absolutely right about it being a really good meal.” Twilight responds. “But it looks like I'm going to have to put re-shelving off again. It looks like I'm making a trip up to Canterlot today. You can come along too if you want, although you may get bored if you stay with me the whole time so you can stay with Mom and Dad while I'm busy if you want.” “That sounds good to me. I haven't seen them in a while, so it'd be nice to visit.” He responds perking up a bit. “So why're we going to Canterlot all of a sudden?” “I'm going to visit Never There's parents. He wrote me a letter and slipped it in my bag before we left telling me that he wasn't offended about last night. He also says that he really likes your cookies.” “That's cool.” He says raising his eyebrow before continuing. “But are you sure you'll find what you're looking for by asking his parents?” “He would know if his own parents be able to help me. He says that all kinds of ponies have done all kinds of experiments with him to figure out his mystery, but nopony has figured anything out.” She says turning a little introspective. “Maybe I can figure something out, even just a hint. I just want to know what the mystery is and then I can work from there.” “Sounds confusing. I think I'll just stay with Mom and Dad.” He says after finishing his mouthful of food. “Alright. You take care of the mess and I'll go make the arrangements.” She says finishing up the last of her pancakes. “I'll be back soon.” *** Never There is just about to leave the house after breakfast to drop by the market when a knock sounds from his front door. He was wondering when she would be by today. With a smile he opens the door all the way, showing her that she's welcome to come in. She looks around a bit before looking at the floor to awkwardly scuff her hoof against the floor. He smiles, thinking about how different she is today comparatively. “I'm sorry about last night. I couldn't help myself. Something similar happened a while back with Pinkie Pie and I learned I just have to accept certain things that can't understood, but your mystery is just so... different. Even if I can't understand it, I'd be content with simply learning what the mystery is.” She says apologetically. It's alright, Twilight. I know how some ponies can get when they have a conundrum of this magnitude placed in front of them. He writes. I take it you'd like to visit my parents? “Very much so.” She says after reading the note. “They must be very special ponies to have raised you to be such a gentlecolt despite your mystery. I can imagine it took some getting used to when it first happened and they realized you hadn't simply disappeared.” You can say that again. He writes after a bout of laughter. My mother was laughing hysterically and my father started drinking his prized scotch like it was water. I was in the house the entire time and with me just out of grade school it took me a little while to figure out some method of communication. Then I found out I could still open doors and I figured out that if I could open doors, I could still write with pen and ink. Some things changed of course, but a lot stayed the same. You're right about me having special parents, and I'm sure you'll figure that out soon after meeting them. “Oh my.” Twilight responds a little shocked and saddened. If he has been like this since he was barely past foalhood, I can only imagine how tough life must have been for him. “Well, I'm really happy you moved to Ponyville in any case. Otherwise I don't think we would ever have had the chance to make each others acquaintance. I think we can make arrangements to have a dinner party at my friend Rarities place in a couple days if you'd be interested. I'm sure my other friends would like to meet you.” That sounds wonderful. I'll leave everything to you. He writes. I'll give you my parents address and a letter of introduction to see that everything goes smoothly. I have to drop by the market before the early morning deals end. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to haggle with the stall keepers here. Twilight's honest laughter at his joke makes him feel that everything's going to be just fine between them. This is really nice, having somepony who's just as accepting as my parents for a friend. He thinks warmly as he writes the letter and his parents names along with their work and home addresses. After giving them to Twilight, she sees he way out fairly promptly and he leaves shortly after to see about those lovely deals. He has a few books he'd like to order soon and every spare bit adds up after all. *** After she dropped off Spike at her parents Twilight finds herself walking down one of the more obscure paths on the Canterlot University campus to an even more obscure building. It's around ten when she arrives in Canterlot and figures that they would still be at work. When she saw that they work at the University, she almost started hopping down the streets of Ponyville on her way back to her place. She didn't, of course. Instead, she let herself bounce up on each step in a manner Pinkie Pie would have been jealous of. Since they were professors, she knew she would get some answers. Walking slowly enough to make sure she follows the map and instructions provided by the info booth attendant correctly, she finds herself in front of a squashed looking cube of a building with small windows dotted evenly across its surface marching up five levels. It doesn't have a immaculate sign anywhere on the little strip of grass separating the building from the rest of the pathway like the other buildings. I wonder why it's unlabeled? She thinks curious about the oddity but another wave of curiosity brushes the stray thought aside and she walks inside. The first thing she notices about the building is that it's cold. Cold enough that she wishes she had the big, fluffy sweater her mom gave her last Hearth's Warming Eve. She can faintly see her breath even. She sighs quietly, causing a small plume of mist to form in front of her, as she walks over to the front desk. There isn't anypony sitting behind the desk and no noise coming from the back room, so she looks around for some kind of directory. Instead, she finds a small scrap of aged paper weighted down by a copper tap bell. Down the hall and to the left. Down the hall and to the left? She thinks as she wonders why they would leave such strange instructions when they could as easily have left a directory. She looks a little more for one before she gives up and follows the notes instructions. She goes down the hall and takes the first left she comes to. Continuing down that hallway, she looks at the note again to make sure she gets the right office. Ever Here (My Mother), and Pure Interval (My Father). She checks the first door she comes across and sees both of their names beside the door, a PH.D. tacked on after each. That was easy enough, and they have their PH.D.'s. Impressive. She thinks smiling that everything is going a lot smoother and turning out even better than she would have imagined. She knocks on the door politely and waits a moment for the door to open. She's greeted by a beautiful unicorn mare a few years older than her own mother with the oddest mane and coat combination she has ever seen. It's not the colors as both are shades of gray, but something about the combination makes it appear as though the two shades swap places as she watches. It's disconcerting to say the least. “Yes?” She says as she look at Twilight. “Can I help you?” “Oh!” Twilight responds after a hasty gulp. “Yes. I'm Twilight Sparkle and a friend of your son, Never There. He said that I should visit you and your husband to have a few things explained to me. He even gave me a letter of introduction.” “Really? That's wonderful! I was wondering when that boy of ours would make some friends, and such a cute one at that.” She says with a welcoming smile. “My name is Ever Here and my husband is Pure Interval. I'm alone at the moment, so why don't you come in and warm up with some fresh coffee?” “That would be great.” She says with a blush, she follows Ever in quickly and closes the door behind her. “Why is it so cold here anyways.” “It's always like this, but you get used to it. Please, make yourself comfortable and I'll make us some coffee. Are you a student here at the University? You seem familiar.” Ever says as they walk into a shared lounge past two doors which are presumably their offices. There are a couple low chairs, a coffee table as well as a couch in the center of the room with the walls on her right and left have stuffed book shelves. Literally books on books in puzzle-like arrangements leaving no open space. The walls behind her has a counter set against it which is home to the divine instruments that make that blessed black brew as well as some picture frames. “Thank you and no, I'm not a student here.” Twilight responds as she walks across the room to look out the window to the ground below. The ground below. What? “Ever? Ever?!” She turns back to Twilight with a questioning look. “What floor are we on?” Twilight asks shakily. “The fifth floor. Like always. Or did we drop down a floor again?” She says with a tired sigh as she goes to look out the other window. “Oh! Good, we're still on the fifth floor.” “What?” Twilight responds. There's that multiple layered word again. She's starting to get the hang of that trick. “How... But... Reason... Logic... None of this makes sense. I must be going insane, right?” “Not at all, my dear. You're perfectly sane, though I don't know for how long if you know quantum linguistics.” Ever says wryly. “Welcome to the Metaphysics Department of Canterlot University.” It's too much. She thinks as she faints, the ground five floors below being the last thing she sees. Some time later Twilight opens her eyes to see the pristine ceiling of the lounge. She finds herself lying on the couch and sits up with a slight blush at remembering that she had fainted. Looking around, she sees light coming from the open office on her left, so she gets up and goes to see if it's Ever inside. It is, so she knocks on the door frame causing Ever to look up from a paper that looks more like a manuscript for a new novel. “Come on in, Twilight.” She says putting the paper aside. After Twilight sits, Ever floats a large mug of coffee over from a side table for her. “Thanks.” She says as she takes a tentative sip of the rich brew. “Sorry about that.” “It's quite alright, dear. We get that reaction far more than you would expect.” Ever responds with a gentle smile to let her know that she's not the only one. “It's almost one now and my husband should be back anytime now.” “Is he teaching class right now? What is it he got his degree in?” Twilight asks curiously. “He's in the other office right now.” Ever responds casually. “I thought you said you were alone?” Twilight says with a confounded expression. “Oh, I am.” She says with a straight face. “Once he begins work on a project, he goes off into a special place in his mind as he ponders the solution. I'm quite alone during these times, but he does come up for air at specific times. I don't know how he does it though. He tried teaching me the trick a few times, but I could never figure out how to compartmentalize my mind.” “Uh-huh.” Twilight says, trying to keep the skepticism from her voice as much as she can. “We normally leave for home around this time. Would you care to come to our home to talk at leisure about your questions?” Ever asks congenially. “If I wouldn't be a bother.” She says looking at the steaming surface of her coffee. “Not at all.” Ever replies. “I'll make us a bite to eat since you were out of it for the lunch hour and we normally don't eat the meals here.” “I look forward to it. I actually had supper last night with your son along with a couple friends of mine and that stew he made was so good.” Twilight says imagining how much better it would be from the originator herself. “I never should have gave him that recipe. He still visits, but as long as I had that above his head I could coax him to stay longer than three or four days.” She says grumpily as she leans back in her seat. “But I can see some good came of it at least, if he's bringing pretty young mares to his table.” She says with a sly smile. “Please, I'm no-” She starts to say but is cut off by the older mare across the table. “Of course you are, Twilight. But enough of that for now. Lets go see if Val is back.” Ever says as she gets up and walks out of the office. She knocks on the other door and asks “You back honey? We have a guest today and she's a friend of Never.” “What? Really? That's fantastic!” Says a lively voice from behind the door which opens a second later to reveal a earth pony with a light brown coat and a black and white mane and tail. “Where is she?” “In my office finishing her coffee. She had a bit of a fright a little bit ago, but she's quite all right.” She responds before giving him a quick kiss. “Her name is Twilight Sparkle and she's here to ask us a few questions about Never.” “Fantastic.” He replies before walking partly into Evers office. “Did my beautiful wife extend an invitation to have lunch with us?” “Yes, she did, and I would be honored to join you two for lunch.” Twilight responds with a smile. “Wonderful. We can head out when you finish your coffee.” He says stepping back out. “Do you have any more coffee, dear? I could definitely use a quick cup.” “Only a little, but it should be enough for you until he get back home.” Ever replies. They talk casually about mundane things in the lounge as Twilight finishes her coffee. When she's done, she leaves the office and returns to the lounge to see them sitting beside each other on the couch. She clears her throat politely to draw their attention. “Thank you for the coffee. It was very good.” Twilight says. “Thank you.” Ever replies. “If you're going to drink coffee, it should always be exceptional otherwise it'll mess with your thinking. I've learned that the hard way by having a cup from the staff lounge. You don't want to know how that turned out for me.” She says with a slight shudder. “I couldn't find her for five days. Turns out she took a wrong turn and ended up in Vanhoover.” Val says with a chuckle. “I didn't worry overly much because I knew she would get everything sorted out eventually. Well, lets get going. I'm ready for some lunch. Just follow us and think about the entrance of the building.” “'Down the hall and to the left?'” Twilight quotes for confirmation. “She catches on quickly. No wonder Never sent her to us.” Ever says smugly. “Where did you go to school? I'd like to know the name of the institution that raises such bright young minds.” “Well, I was only partially enrolled in the School for Gifted Unicorns, but I am the personal student of Princess Celestia.” She replies proudly. “I'm still learning, and sad would be the day I don't learn something new.” “Very commendable.” Val says with a wide smile. “Though you may find the things we can teach you may not be the most comfortable or easily digestible of things. It takes a special kind of pony to be able to wrap their mind around some of these things, let alone understand the implications.” “Well, I can try at least.” She replies. “No pressure, Twilight.” Ever says. “We should get going. I'm quite hungry now and I'm sure you are as well.” “Sounds good to me.” Val says hopping off the couch. Ever and Val gather a few things from their offices and make their way out to the hallway with Twilight trailing slightly behind. They turn left to go down the hallway, Twilight using her magic to try to notice if anything is going on in that way. There are no active spells being used, though she does sense an ambient magical atmosphere. She doesn't sense it doing anything, but it seems as though it's constantly dissipating yet it never seems to run out. They come to at first branch and turn left, Twilight senses the magic suddenly evaporate from the air as the entrance comes into view only to suddenly be there again. “What was that?” She asks quietly. “What was that dear?” Ever says looking over to shoulder. “What was that magic doing? I noticed a passive aura but it suddenly evaporated when we made our turn around the corner and now it's back. I've never experienced anything like it before.” She says excitedly. “Oh, that. It's something the department head came up with.” Ever replies as they exit the building. “It's how I ended up in Vanhoover, actually. Sent him and the rest of the staff into fits of laughter when they found out. It converts active thought into spacial transit. That conversion from pure thought into active energy is the main reason why it's always so cold here as well. Something about high energy quantum processes being decompressed into a probability cascade.” “I... don't... really understand any of that.” Twilight says a little dazedly, trying to make any sense of the explanation. “It's alright, dear. Not many ponies do.” Ever says consolingly. “We prefer to commute to and from home. It gives us a little extra time together each day where we can simply enjoy the here between there.” “I think I understand that. A little bit, anyways.” Twilight says. Ever and Val chuckle a little, but it's not the superior laughter of a learned pony mocking another. Instead, it's more like they're simply enjoying her, for who she is. Despite the seeming absurdity of everything that has gone on so far today, Twilight feels that this was definitely the right thing to do. Her companions are so easily accepting of others and their differences gives Twilight a small glimpse of how Never There turned out the way he did. They leave the University and begin tracing the way she took to get here. They talk of casual things with the odd question directed at Twilight to get to know her better with her asking about them on occasion as well. She finds out that Ever is a theoretical philosopher and Val is a speculative mathematician. They met each other at a conference in Manehatten after a seminar that Ever had given, Val wanting to meet the mare who had opened his mind up to another realm that was closer than he ever would have imagined. They hit it off and began a correspondence, meeting each other once a month to begin work on a project detailing the exactitude of the difference between here and there. They are still working on that project even now, although it has been simmering for the past decade. They refer to it fondly as their “matchmaker” because it was through this single project that they spent more and more time together, eventually falling in love with one another. It was all quite romantic in an impassioned intellectual kind of way and they've never been happier. Twilight eventually finds herself walking down the street her parents live on and surprise slowly takes hold as they lead her to the house across the street from her parents home. What are the odds? She thinks looking back and forth between the two houses. “Is something the matter Twilight?” Val asks as he notices her looking back and forth. “You two live across the street from my parents.” She says a little disbelieving. “Oh! You're Velvet and Night's daughter?” Ever says with sudden realization. “Now I remember why you seem so familiar. I used to see you and your brother playing together in the street all the time when you were just a little filly.” “This is just unbelievable. Just last night, Spike wondered if you two knew my parents or not.” Twilight says with a little laugh. “He was more right than he knew.” “Spike?” Val asks curiously as they walk inside. “He's a baby dragon I hatched when I was a little filly. It's how I gained admittance to the School and became the Princess' personal student.” Twilight replies. “Really? You'll have to bring him along next time if you come over for a social visit, I'd love to meet the little fellow.” Ever says looking forward to the occasion. They walk into the house together, Twilight noticing that their house is very similar to her parents. Comfortable furniture set about the living room with more than a few book cases. She notices that their home isn't unnaturally cold, so she breaths a sigh of relief that she wouldn't be sent across Equestria by an errant thought as she rounds a corner. They make their way down the hallway a bit past a staircase to the kitchen where Val is already setting ingredients out for lunch. “It shouldn't take us too long to get lunch around if you'd like to take a seat at the table. We're having pumpkin soup today, with fresh salad and bread.” Ever says. “That sounds absolutely amazing, but I can help out if you want.” Twilight replies. “It's quite alright. It doesn't take us long, and good company will just make it that much faster.” Val says with a smile over his shoulder. “Exactly.” Ever says smiling at his words. Twilight takes a seat and watches as her hosts go about their preparations. Such an odd couple, but their love and happiness around each other is undeniable. She thinks watching them work. It's not uncommon for ponies to marry outside of their respective types, but it's even more uncommon for an earth and unicorn couple. I guess it's true that love truly knows no bounds. They work efficiently, talking with each other as they go about their business. They laugh at some quip or other and their perpetual smiles never leave their faces as though they are supremely happy as long as they have each other at their side. Twilight smiles as she watches them. They remind her of her own parents... if they worked in reality bending philosophies and worried about their office swapping floors as though it were a common occurrence. Twilight laughs a little at the absurdity of it all, drawing the curious look of Ever. Twilight shakes her head, showing that it's something she shouldn't worry about. True to their word, lunch is ready in about twenty minutes. Plates, bowls and silverware float around the room to settle around the table with Ever and Val's places set across from Twilight. “Lunch is served.” Ever says as she sits in front of the right arrangement. “It smells great.” Twilight says smelling the faint, spicy aroma of the soup. Taking a spoonful o the light orange soup, she tastes the creamy pumpkin laced with freshly cracked pepper. “Thank you very much for lunch, by the way. It's excellent.” “Not a problem, and I'm glad you like the soup. We don't get many guests aside from the odd co-worker.” Val says as he takes the seat beside his wife. “We have invited your parents over on occasion, though they seem a little uncomfortable coming over after we had our son here at the same time to have dinner with all of us.” “I could only imagine.” Twilight says with laughter silvering her voice. “I hope they didn't end up running and screaming back home like I did when I first met your son. All this happened because of an overdue book.” “Oh my, no.” Ever says sharing a little laugh at her parents expense. “Though it seems like you got over it quick enough. They just got a bit nervous and flinched every time Never set his spoon down or took a piece of bread. They never got used to his notes either, responding with the bare minimum.” “That sounds like them.” Twilight says with a snort. “They didn't quite know how to act after I accidentally turned them into potted plants. They got better though, after Princess Celestia intervened. I began control lessons shortly after and everything went back to normal faster than expected.” “It sounds like you had quite the foalhood.” Val says with a grin. “So, to the matter at hoof. You have some questions for my wife and I?” “Yes. The biggest one I'd like to ask is why does nothing interact with him, but he can interact with other things?” She says eagerly. “Oh, that's easy. It's his perception.” Ever says simply. “Perception?” Twilight says utterly confused. “Of course. Perception. I'll demonstrate.” She points to her fork on the table. “Would you say that my fork is there?” “Yes?” Twilight responds. Ever picks it up with her hoof. “Now, for me, it's here.” She says with a smile. Twilight furrows her brow. “Some sugar was spilled around him last night, but none of it settled on or around him though. How does that work?” She asks. “How did my fork transition from there to here? Because I wanted it to through a decision. If I didn't want my fork here, I would have left it there.” Ever says. “But how is he able to make that distinction? Nopony can choose to have or not have something land on them.” She replies. “Of course you can. You can get out of the way, can't you?” Ever responds. “Yeah, of course.” Twilight responds. “It's the same principle. Our son has the special talent of being between here and there. At least that's what we think it is.” Val says picking up the conversation. “Being between here and there?” Twilight asks even more confused. “Yes. Not only is our handsome son the most precious part of our life, but he is also the living embodiment of some of our theories.” Val taps his bowl lightly, not even visibly moving it. “This is one of them. Even though I didn't visibly move my bowl, it still moved from its here to there.” “Our son is simply in a state of constant, imperceptible transition between here and there.” Ever says happily. “Well, that's what we believe in any case. There are still inconsistencies and paradoxes we can't account for as of yet, so it's still a working hypothesis.” “I don't get any of it.” Twilight deadpans. “That's perfectly okay, dear.” Ever says with a smile. “Would you like a slice of carrot cake for desert?” “I would love a slice of cake.” Twilight says, coming up for breath mentally. She remembers the expression about going off the deep end, and never has she ever felt the veracity of a saying in such a way before. “I think I'm done with questions for the day though. I'm going to try to understand what you've told me so far and ask the Princess about starting my lessons in your fields.” “If you have any questions, any at all, feel free to drop by and we can help you as much as we can.” Val says helpfully. “We're thinking about having a small dinner party next week on Friday if you would be interested in joining us. We'll extend an invitation to your parents as well if you think they wouldn't mind.” “I'll let them know. I'm sure they would be pleased to get to know you two better in any case. You're both such wonderful ponies and the food... it's beyond good.” Twilight says with a smile. “Thank you very much. We'd be happy to have them over again.” Ever says as she sets a plate with a nice slice of carrot cake in front of Twilight. “If you have any friends you would like to bring along are certainly welcome as well. It'll be a casual affair, so there's no need to dress up or anything.” “I'm certain my friends would love to come along as well.” She says before she takes a bite of cake. The cake is smooth and lightly spiced without being overbearing. The walnuts are deliciously crispy and the icing is more buttery than sweet. “Oh, I could get used to this.” “I'm glad you like our cooking so much.” Ever says laughing a little. “It's one of the recipes Never has yet to wheedle out of me. It seems as though we may be able to get you up the mountain for more than the occasional question if we have cake and good coffee.” “You're a devious pony, Ever Here.” Twilight says mock hurt. “How could you hold you do this to me! The thought of you luring me back with the promise of food, I thought I had more control than this.” They all enjoy a laugh at that as they lead the conversation to inconsequential things, like Twilight's studies, good books recently read and general life in Ponyville since they can barely make it down the mountain. They all have one more cup of coffee to wash the lingering sweetness away while they talk. Twilight leaves around two thirty with a happy farewell to her hosts and walks across the street to her parents home. Spike opens the door as she walks up the steps with an odd look. She walks inside before he says anything though. “I was only joking when I said that that stuff last night, Twilight.” Spike says with a little disbelief. “I was watching out the window since I figured you might be back for a late lunch. I never expected to see you coming from the house across the street.” “Turns out they do know Mom and Dad too.” She says with a little laugh at Spikes look of shock. “They're having a dinner party next Friday too if you want to come along. They'd like to meet you personally.” “Was his Moms cooking even better than his?” Spike asks curiously. “Oh yeah. I'll be coming back to Canterlot a lot more than to just visit Mom and Dad or the Princess from now on.” Twilight says with a rueful chuckle. “Oh man. I can't wait! This is gonna be awesome, Twilight.” He says but his good mood diminishes a little as he asks, “So did you learn anything?” “I only learned that I have a lot more to learn.” She replies with a sigh. “Isn't that something you said you hoped would happen? You know, always wanting to learn something new every day?” He says. “Yeah, but I don't know how much I'll pick up. The stuff they know and do on a daily basis literally defies logic.” She says a little strained. “I don't know anything about it, but don't go off the deep end on me.” He says with a chuckle. “Ha! I'll tell you right now, I know exactly what that feels like.” Twilight says laughing a little at the look Spike gives her. “You want to visit with your parents for a while before we head back to Ponyville at least?” Spike asks a little worriedly at her odd turn of phrase, not knowing if she's joking or not. “That sounds great. I could use a little here before there right now.” Twilight says. She laughs again at Spikes expression before she heads fully into the house to visit with her parents.