Full Stomachs, Fluttering Hearts
~
Fitful Sleep ~ Letters ~ Schedules
Celestia’s sun was just peeking over the horizon as two stuffed ponies and one exhausted dragon left Sugarcube Corner. Spike slept on Twilights back, muttering about mica flakes and jalapeños, Rainbow flapped weakly alongside her, groaning and clutching her stomach. “You ate too much?” Twilight asked her friend, mentally collating an indigestion cure. “Nah, I just should have eaten less of the spicy popcorn, it was so good. The cheese, I never thought…” She gave a small burp and grinned sheepishly.
“It was surprisingly tasty wasn’t it? Guava was pretty good too.” They smiled at the remembered tastes “Citrine popcorn, awesome…” Spike mumbled shifting position on Twilight’s back, the two friends chuckled at that and noticed their proximity to the library. Twilight turned to Rainbow, or at least that was her intention. The pegasus pony had lowered even closer to her unicorn friend and the simple act of turning had led to her lips brushing against a cyan cheek. Rainbow coloured hair filled her vision and soft fur caressed her lips…
Twilight squeaked and teleported, complete with Spike, the last few yards into her Library. Rainbow on the other hand had frozen. Wings no longer supporting her she landed with a thump to the ground. The impact on her rump breaking the trance she had entered. She gingerly raised a hoof to her cheek to check that it wasn’t in fact on fire, (a mirror would have begged to differ). Her brain caught up then, though it still replayed the indescribable softness of Twilight’s lips across her cheek, a tingling line like an electric shock. Parts of her consciousness tapped her reeling brain on the proverbial shoulder to deliver the message that, sadly, the purple mare had left in quite a hurry. “Twi’…”
*
On the other side of the library door sat a hyperventilating unicorn. “Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear oh by Celestia, Luna and all of Equestria what did I just do!!!!!” She nearly screamed, only a deep concern that somepony might hear her and demand an explanation kept her volume down. Trying to return her breathing to normal after that kiss, well almost kiss, a smidgen sort of like a kiss maybe…
‘Stop that!’ she shook her head. ‘Now, where did I put Spike?’ Calming down a little, her mind still grasping to the recollections of the dazzling rainbow she saw and the softness she felt, Twilight sought out her draconic ward. She was relieved to see that even in her excited state she had ‘ported Spike to his basket. Strangely a tiny teddy that looked a little like an Ursa Minor was clutched in his arm, not something she had seen before. “That warrants further study,” she mused to herself while a decidedly more heated part of her mind demanded more kissing to collect a full set of data. Clambering into bed, too distracted to truly study anything Twilight levitated her blanket over herself “Goodnight Spike” she whispered.
“Night mhmny.” He mumbled sleepily, cuddling the teddy closer and rolling over.
*
In the sky above Ponyville floated a cloud house. Its resident was also in bed, she too was thinking of recent events. Rainbow had barely moved her hoof since placing it there. It was as if taking it away would release all the feelings of the touch. “It was an accident,” she said to Tank, “I mean she never meant to do that, I just got too close to her so when she turned she brushed me… With her lips…” She smacked her forehead with her free hoof. “It’s going to be a long night.”
*
Neither pony had a very good night’s sleep. Both of them kept coming back to their earlier ‘situation’. “I’ll just put it behind me, she won’t mind will she?” both mares thought in the early hours of the morning. “Twilight did it by accident right? No way would she do it on purpose. Or even want to do it.” Rainbow thought. “She’d never like somepony like me that way.”
“It was an accident, Rainbow won’t care anyway, she’d never want a boring egghead like me.” Twilight concluded. Both ponies, unaware of each other’s feelings turned over in their beds, feeling a little bit miserable and a touch alone. They both snuggled some blanket over themselves and fell into the welcome comfort of sleep.
*
The next morning Spike was once again up and bustling around. “Must be all the minerals in his diet,” Twilight thought, pulling her pillow over her ears. His humming was cute, probably one of the songs Pinkie or Sweetie Belle had come up with, a small price to pay for letting him have a day off with his friends. A familiar burping and flare sound came from downstairs. “Twilight! You’ve got a letter!” Spike called, she heard his feet on the stairs and the bedroom door opening. “This one has Luna’s seal on it. Isn’t that cool!” at the mention of the nocturnal princess Twilight paid attention.
“Can you read it Spike?” she asked, sitting up and gesturing for him to sit next to her. The little dragon jumped up and with a flourish unsealed the letter. “Dear Twilight Sparkle” He read, “It has come to our attention that the profession of Astronomer has gained status since our return. Certain dedicated ponies have worked tirelessly for many years making fascinating discoveries and beautiful photographs of the sky beyond our fair home. One such pony, Andromeda Star has advanced far into her chosen career.” Twilight cut Spike off then.
“That is nice to hear, I can’t wait to catch up with her now! She always did love to record the sky.” Twilight gushed a little, it was strange, her reconnection with all these ponies from her childhood. “Can I continue?” sniffed Spike as he ruffled the letter. Twilight nodded and with a little cough Spike began again. “One has seen to it that she received promotions she quite richly deserved and in turn persuaded the esteemed ponies of the Royal Observatory to allow her charge of a facility. It is for this reason I write to you. One has highly recommended the town of Ponyville for its impressive vantage point and friendly inhabitants. One looks forward to thy reply and that thou has sent to Dr. Star. Many regards, Luna.”
“Wow, she sure writes fancy doesn’t she Twilight?” Spike looked to his pony friend, “Uh Twilight?” he waved a hand in front of her face “Guess that froze her up good!” He snickered, dropping the scroll beside the unicorn and hurrying back down to his breakfast.
*
A few minutes later a still dazed Twilight wandered past Spike, mumbling about princesses, moons and getting the guest room ready. She plonked herself down on the chair by her desk and a flurry of magic assisted activity occurred. “Twilight, are you ok?” Spike looked over at her, at least five sheets of paper floated ahead of her, six quills rushing across the pages. “What are you doing Twilight?” Spike was more concerned now. She turned to face him, a manic look and a twitch in her eye. “Schedules!” was her eerie reply.