//------------------------------// // A Time and a Place // Story: The Mailmare and the Watchmaker // by Kaf_Kraked_Poni //------------------------------// “Hello, Time Turner,” Ditzy Doo said from outside of the shop window. He raised his head and smiled. “Hello, Ditzy,” he replied. “Glad to see you again.” She flew towards the opening, but hesitated, looking at him through the window. He smiled and nodded, and she entered through the space in the wall.   “I have a few letters for you,” she told him, removing the items out of her satchel. “Ah, thank you,” Time Turner said, setting down his tools. He grabbed a quick swallow from his drink and motioned over to the window to collect the mail. Humming lightly to himself, he shuffled through the letters, reading the return address of each one. “It’s pretty hot outside,” Ditzy said, wiping her forehead. “Are you doing okay in there?” “Oh yes,” he responded. “I’ve got a nice cold lemonade,” he said, pointing to the cup on the counter, “I’ve got my fans going rather nicely,” he motioned upwards, showing off the large swirling blades above, “and I’ve got my window open to welcome anymore refreshing things that may come my way.” Ditzy giggled. “Too bad that doesn’t happen more often,” she replied. “Not too much anymore,” he said with a sigh. “Listen, Ditzy, about that time with your friend…” “Oh, Rainbow Dash is over it,” she interrupted. “She still thinks you’re a jerk, but she’s not too mad or anything.” “Well, I feel I still need to apologize, nonetheless.” “We could always try again,” Ditzy suggested. “I’m sure it’s been long enough to where Rainbow Dash will allow you to befriend her.” Time Turner chuckled, setting down his mail to lean on the counter. “Oh, I don’t know what to do with myself, Ditzy,” he said then, shaking his head. “What do you mean?” “I came here to escape the fuss of my… Well, I came here to relax, and I end up making an enemy already.” He sighed again. “It must be the stress of work.” “Well, if it’s any consolation, you also made a pretty good friend.” “Oh, and who might that be?” Ditzy crossed her fore hooves and straightened her face. Time Turner chuckled and returned to his work bench. “Don’t think anything of it,” he said then. “I’m just a little upset is all.” “Because of your work?” “No, not particularly,” he replied, staring off into space. “I’ve yet to receive a letter from May Flower about something. It was actually rather pressing.” “Oh, sorry,” Ditzy replied, rummaging through her bag. “Those were all of the letters that were addressed to you today.” “It’s all right, I’m sure she’s still thinking about her decision,” he said with a smile. “She’s often one to take her time with her choices, but she’s very deliberate. I’ll know for sure that her choice is her choice.” “Okay, I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for that specific letter!” Ditzy did a little twirl and held her hoof out in front of Time Turner. He met it halfway and they both laughed. “Say,” he began now, before Ditzy could leave, “I would like to take you up on your offer before… About being shown around town.” She jumped in mid-flight. “R-really?” “Well, yes,” he replied. “I said I wanted to make it up to Rainbow Dash, and while she probably won’t allow me to, I figure if I make it up to you, that’ll suffice. After all, I was being a jerk to you as well.” He waited for an answer, but Ditzy seemed like she was still reeling over the fact that he wanted to actually do something in town today.   “Oh that’s awesome!” she exclaimed. “There’s so much to do! We could go to Sugarcube Corner, take a trip to the Pet Park, visit Carousel Boutique, check out the lake—” “How about…” Time Turner interrupted, holding his fore hoof out. “How about that sugar place? It sounds like a nice enough adventure. I still have to be able to come back to work the following day.” “Sugarcube Corner? Okay,” Ditzy said in a squeal. “Man, it’s going to be so fun hanging out with you!” “Oh really?” She suddenly blushed. “Oh no, err… I mean I’m just happy that you actually want to hang out… because, you know… you don’t have a lot of friends here… is all…” She fumbled with the words before allowing them to leave her throat. “It’s okay, I think I understand,” he replied. “So, when do you finish?” Her face lit up as she flew closer to his. “Oh… well, I’ll be done at about 5:00 this evening—” “Great, I’ll come get you then?” “I believe I can manage that… Sure, I’ll be waiting right here, Ditzy Doo.” He held his hoof out. “So we’re agreed?” “Yeah!” she shouted, returning his hoof shake. “5:00.” “When you told me Sugarcube Corner, I was expecting a sweet shop of sorts,” Time Turner said, gazing at the building. “I wasn’t expecting it to actually be made out of the sweets…” “Oh, it’s just the design,” Ditzy giggled. “Come on, Pinkie Pie reserved our table for us.” “Pinkie Pie?” “You haven’t met Pinkie Pie?” “Who hasn’t met Pinkie Pie?!” a voice shouted from the doorway now. “I mean, who hasn’t heard of me?” “Pinkie Pie! This is Time Turner,” Ditzy said, pointing a hoof at the stallion next to her. Time Turner chuckled nervously, extending his hoof out towards the pink mare. “A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Pie,” he said. “I’m not Ms. Pie, that’s my mom, I’m Pinkie!” She placed a cupcake where her hoof was supposed to be and smiled. “It’s funny that I’m meeting you for the first time, since I know practically everypony here.” “That seems like quite a feat,” Time Turner said, handing the cupcake to Ditzy. “Um, may we go and sit inside, please?” Pinkie Pie nodded, allowing the two to enter. “Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! Home of the best baked treats in all of Ponyville, possibly the world! We’re still working on getting that copyrighted,” she exclaimed, whispering that last part into Time Turner's ears. “Make yourselves at home, and when you’re ready, just pick your delight!” Pinkie Pie bounded off, disappearing into the back through a set of double doors. “Pinkie Pie… quite a character. Is she another friend of yours?” Time Turner asked, seating himself. Ditzy took the chair opposite of him and nodded. “Yeah, she’s really fun to be around. Always partying and making people happy, I think she’s one of the best ponies in town!” “Well, I’m not really one for large social gatherings,” he replied. “Even stepping out tonight was a bold move for me.” “I’m sure you’ll get used to it,” she replied with a smile. “You’ll have to eventually!” “Perhaps,” he replied.  Pinkie returned with two drinks on a tray and skipped over to the duo again. “Two chocolate sweet grass milkshakes for the silly couple!” She sat the tall whipped cream frothed glasses down. “Couple?” Time Turner choked. “Silly?” Ditzy asked. “Two! For you!” Pinkie giggled, bounding away again, singing to herself. Time Turner cleared his throat and looked over at Ditzy, who was actually avoiding eye contact now. He sipped his drink from the crazy straw that protruded from the mountain high cream and let out a small sigh. “That’s actually not that bad,” he said, breaking their silence. Ditzy took a sip as well, and smiled again, taking deeper gulps the second time around. “Yeah, it’s a lot sweeter than that cider that Rainbow Dash likes,” she said, wiping her mouth. “I’m not one for cider,” Time Turner informed, tapping on the table with his hoof. “Never could handle a stiff drink.” “You think cider is stiff?” Ditzy giggled. “Even I’ve had stronger drinks than that.” “Bragging now, are we?” “No,” she replied. “I’m just saying…” Ditzy trailed off then. She got up and trotted over to Time Turner. “Come on, you gotta check out all the different kinds of baked goods they have here.” “I don’t really have much of a sweet tooth either,” he said then, rising from his seat. “There’s more than just cakes and pies,” she said, pulling him towards one of the glass displays. “Look… muffins!” “Well, I do fancy myself a good muffin every now and then,” he said. “We got all kinds of good muffins here,” Pinkie Pie exclaimed from within the glass case. Time Turner jumped, letting out a small cry as he stumbled back some. “That’s probably not sanitary,” he remarked. “Oh, these are just for display, they’re fake,” Pinkie explained, biting into one. “See? Plastic…” She cheered with her mouth full. “What kind of muffins do you guys want?” She finished eating the fake muffin and removed herself from the display. “Ooh, how about your special Lemon Surprise!” Ditzy shouted. “Two please! You want one too, right?” “I’m still trying to process how and why that mare just ate that thing,” Time Turner said. “Yeah, we’ll take two.” “Okay, two non-non-edible Lemon Surprise muffins coming right up! I’ll bake 'em fresh, just for you two!” Pinkie exclaimed, bolting into the kitchen. “That Pinkie Pie,” Ditzy chuckled. “Are you okay, Time Turner?” “I’m actually wondering if our host is the one we should be concerned about,” he replied. “Where are we going now?” Time Turner asked following Ditzy as she glided through the air. “Hurry up! We have to get there before it closes!” “Before what closes?” he asked her. Time Turner’s brisk canter slowed to a trot as Ditzy landed a few feet from an immaculately dressed building. The sign in the window read open, much to the mare’s excitement. “Carousel Boutique,” he read. What a fancy looking establishment.” “There’s all kinds of cool outfits here,” Ditzy said, leading him over to the door. “It’s mostly girl stuff, but I’ve seen some cool ties and collars for stallions in here too.” “I’m not one for ties, to tell the truth,” he admitted. Ditzy opened the door and allowed him to walk in first. She followed shortly after and scanned the displays. As she eyed each one with desiring fervor, her eyes lit up at the newest dress centered on display. “Look at that! Beautiful!” she cried, her eyes glittering like the stars lined around the piece’s tail. “My, that is rather impressive,” Time Turner commented, standing next to Ditzy. “Was that hoof-stitched?” “Of course, I don’t compose my pieces any other way,” a voice sounded from behind the stage curtains. A white mare exited, her vivacious mane and tail bobbing as she took a position next to the pair below stage. “Ah, isn’t it just magnificent?” she sighed. “It’s really beautiful, Rarity,” Ditzy said. “All of your dresses are beautiful!” “Now, Ditzy Doo, don’t inflate my ego anymore, dear,” she giggled. “Although, you are correct.”   “I must say, I didn’t expect to see such marvelous craftsmanship out here,” Time Turner chimed in. Rarity leaned over and made eye contact with the stallion. “My dear, who is this?” Rarity eyed him up and down, fixing her hair some. “This is Time Turner,” Ditzy replied, placing her hoof over his shoulder. Time Turner promptly slid out from under her grasp. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rarity.” “The pleasure is all mine,” Rarity greeted back. “Ooh, he has such nice manners, and a wonderfully enthralling accent!” “Oh please,” he chuckled. “I’m just a simple stallion from Trotland is all." “Trotland? My, that’s quite a ways,” Rarity chuckled, looking at Ditzy. “I’m sure though you’ve seen more grandiose works than mine then?” “I have met a few designers,” he said, moving away now. He studied the current piece on display above stage. “But still, I would have to say that your work rivals even some of Trotland’s best.” “Oh, really?!” Rarity nearly shrieked in glee. “Oh Ditzy, your new coltfriend is so nice and handsome… What was Rainbow thinking, leading me to believe he was an unruly fellow? Good choice, my dear. He’s a keeper.” “Oh, I’m sorry, we’re not… No, I mean, we’re nothing… He has a…” “I’m taken,” Time Turner said, stopping the mare. “Ditzy is just being a good friend and showing me around town.” “Oh, well… How sweet of you, regardless,” Rarity chuckled, hiding behind a smile. “I know,” she suddenly exclaimed, galloping away. “I have something for you. I think it’ll make a nice addition to your wardrobe.” “A gift, for me? But we’ve only just met!” Time Turner replied. “Ha! Darling, do you realize who you’re speaking to?” “Miss… Rarity?” “Here we are!” she cried, pulling a neatly folded, white dress collar from a box. She unfastened another container and removed a dark-blue necktie from its contents. “I think this would look lovely on you. It would match your coat and eyes so well.” “Really, Miss Rarity, I—” “Nonsense, dear. I won’t accept no for an answer,” she replied. “You’ve been so kind to Ditzy as of late, I’m sure, and you certainly aren’t the brute that my puffy friend described to me the other day. Besides, how can I advertise my new stallion’s summer collection when no stallion I know will even wear anything I’ve made?” “They won’t?” Time Turner took the pieces from Rarity’s hoof. “Well, one’s not so much a stallion per se… and the other seems to present discomfort whenever something aside from a yoke is draped over his body,” she sighed. “You don’t have to wear it all the time,” Ditzy reasoned with him. “Just try it on for Rarity!” Time Turner chuckled a little and rolled his eyes. He slipped the collar over his neck and buttoned it. Then, he grabbed the tie and wrapped it around, fastening the noose in a swift motion. “For someone who hates ties, you sure do know how to knot one real well,” Ditzy commented. “I didn’t say that I hated them,” he replied. “I just don’t wear them often.” “Well, that should change,” Rarity said, placing a hoof over her mouth. “You look simply stunning in that color!” “It’s just a simple neck noose, Rarity,” he replied. “Nevertheless, I thank you for your generosity.” “No problem at all, dear,” she replied. “I suppose Ms. Doo would like to try something on now as well?” Rarity gasped suddenly, startling both Time Turner and Ditzy. “I think I have an idea.” “It would appear so,” the earth pony replied. Rarity bolted off, disappearing behind a set of swinging doors. A few fits of commotion and clamor erupted from the back room, but the door began to open slowly as Rarity backed out, her horn lit up with a magical aura. “I need help pushing my new catalog out, but I’d rather not use inanimate mannequins for such exquisite pieces,” she began. Time Turner began shaking his head, but Ditzy barged in front of him. “That’s awesome!” she cried out. “Me and Time Turner can model for you!” “Ah… I guess I’m not allowed to speak for myself,” he said, but neither mare heard him over their giddy tittering. “Then it’s settled, Ditzy Doo, Time Turner—you two shall represent Carousel Boutique, and Ponyville, in Rarity’s garbed extravaganza!” “You’re assuming a lot here,” Time Turner voiced, but was drowned out by Ditzy’s hoof stomps. “This is going to be so cool! We’ll be the most popular ponies in all of Ponyville! At least for the season,” she said to the stallion next to her. Ditzy looked at her companion who opened his mouth, but no words came out. As she widened her grin, he too formed a smile and nodded. “Yes, I suppose we will, won’t we?” “Places, places!” Rarity shouted, wheeling out a few lines of outfits. “I want to make sure to capture both of your good sides. You two already compliment each other so well, this will go off without a hitch!” Time Turner rested his haunches on the cool, wooden planks of the park bench and watched Ditzy chase a few fireflies under a not-to-far-off tree. He sighed to himself, looking past the occupied pegasus at the darkening silhouette of the town.  Ditzy jumped into the air, clasping her hooves together as she cornered one of the flashing insects. “Oh no, I killed it!” she cried, staring at her hooves. The bug floated behind her head, zipping off before she could realize that she wasn’t even close. “What do you want to do next?” she called out then, noticing the distant look on Time Turner’s face. “It’s rather late now, isn’t it?” “Well, yeah… I guess,” she replied hovering towards him. He closed his eyes and relaxed, leaning back into the bench. A sudden thump rocked his body, but did not stir him at all. Ditzy chuckled, plopping down next to him. “To be honest, I’m never really out this late.” Time Turner remained silent, breathing steadily with his head cocked back, muzzle in the sky. A small flickering noise sounded above them, illuminating their little section as the sun waved it’s final flare goodbye. “I’ve been out like this once,” Time Turner said now, prompting Ditzy to look over to him. “It was a long time ago.” “Like, you and May Flower?” she asked. His nod caused her to look at the gravel beneath their dangling hooves. “Do you miss her?” “I do, actually,” he replied, lifting his head. “We used to do stuff like this all the time, she and I.” “Really? Because you kind of acted like today was your first day out ever,” Ditzy said. “I suppose it has been a while since I had fun like this, hence my completely logical apprehension to being strapped to a metallic wheel and tossed about like a rag doll,” he said, looking over to her trembling form. “Hey, I didn’t force you, I just threatened your manliness is all,” she teased. They both laughed and raised their heads upward, catching the first few shimmers of the stars above. “It was actually on a night like this when…” Time Turner stopped, and cleared his throat. He brought his head down and yawned. “Well then, I suppose we should get going.” “What happened?” Ditzy asked, catching him off-guard. “Er, I yawned. I’m tired so…” “I mean, what happened between you and May Flower? You say all of these nice and amazing things about her, but you two are separated?” “We’re not separated,” Time Turner replied quickly. “We just… We’re very far apart right now.” “That’s what I don’t get,” Ditzy said. “If I loved somepony that much, I’d stay by his side forever, like super glue on a… on a piece of paper!” She brought her hooves together and put them in Time Turner’s face. “We’d be like this, always!” “How do you know that?” he said, lowering her hooves. “Forever is a long time. Could you imagine being with someone for about four years, let alone eternity? It would require a lot more than mutual attraction.” “I’d find a way to make it work,” she said with a huff. “I admire your determination, but that right there is where your relationship begins to fall apart,” Time Turner said. Ditzy looked at him with a raised brow. “The moment you try to force anything, the very instant you pig-headedly express your wants, your desires, your dreams without any concern about your partner—that is where you fail.” She studied his face as he spoke. Before she could respond, he opened his mouth. “I made a mistake,” he said. “That’s the short-and-long of it.” “Oh… I see,” Ditzy replied, after being given the chance to speak. “Did you hurt her?” “A lot.” “Will she forgive you?” “I hope.” They sat in silence, a full moon raised overhead, surrounded by the endless sea of stars. Neither spoke, and neither wanted to move either. Time Turner sighed, mustering the strength to slide off of the bench first. “It’s been a wonderful night, Ditzy,” he said, getting her attention. “I enjoyed it too,” she replied, leaping off of the seat. “Thank you for taking the time to get to know the town a little better.” “I’ll be here a little while, I would’ve sooner or later. Sooner seemed the best to fit in my schedule so…” he nodded and shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll… I’ll keep an eye out, for that letter, I mean,” Ditzy stuttered. “Please do,” Time Turner replied. “It would mean the world to me.” He bowed, and began trotting away, back towards the little shop in the center of town. Ditzy turned around herself, heading to her small dwelling on the other side of the park.   The walk wasn’t very far, but it seemed to last a lot longer than she was used to. In fact, as soon as she stepped onto her front mat, she stretched out her wings and sighed, folding them back up in place of admitting hindsight. As she entered, the quietness of her home welcomed her back. Usually a small set of hooves would cheer wildly and crash into her, but Dinky had gone with their grandparents for the summer. For now, it was only Ditzy and her piles of letters she still had to sort through for tomorrow. “I’m not too sleepy, I guess I can do that before bed,” she yawned. Tangelo would probably chew her out for the clutter on her living room floor. Reason enough to at least tidy up the strewn about envelopes. As Ditzy trotted over to the massive mound, her hooves crunched on a letter out of place, postmarked, awaiting delivery for tomo—today?! “What?!” Ditzy cried out, reading and re-reading the return address, the destination, and the postmarked date. “I was supposed to deliver this today? Oh man, if Mr. Tangelo finds out,” she moaned, quickly setting the letter next to her delivery bag. “How did that even happen?” Oh wait, I did come home first before going to Time Turner’s place… I just had to pick up my hat for my uniform… did it fall out then? Ditzy picked up the letter to place it in her bag, but stopped suddenly as a peculiar image flashed across her eyes. The letter was intended for Time Turner… and the sender was a pony by the name of May Flower. Her hooves trembled a little. She stared at the letter and swallowed a large lump in her throat. “This… this is not my mail,” she told herself. “I will not open what is not mine… that is a federal offense!” She tossed the letter, or at least, she thought she did. As she opened her eyes, she found that she was still clutching onto the parchment. “Ditzy! Stop it!” She tried to calm her breathing and the fluttering in her chest, but the evidence was set before her… the answers she wanted, possibly were in this letter. “What will you gain?!” she asked herself then. “You’re Time Turner’s friend, a good friend wouldn’t do what you’re thinking of doing!” She finally mustered the strength to set the letter down. She backed away, taking large breaths and wiping the sweat from her brow.  “I can’t believe I got so worked up over a single letter,” she chuckled. Her eyes grazed over  to the tabletop, but she diverted away once again. “I’ll give it to him tomorrow, exactly as I promised.” She glanced over to the table and bit her lower lip in frustration. “I need a drink,” she sighed, rubbing her face.