Dear Anonymous

by unipie

Chapter One: Jane Mare

“Finally.” Twilight sighed contently, deeming her latest efforts as a job well done.

To many a pony, cleaning the library would be a tedious task. Few would consider re-shelving an entire library-sized collection of literature a ‘good time’. Twilight, however, thought it to be the most relaxing and soothing part of her day. Sliding that wonderful leather-bound piece of knowledge back into its own perfectly designated spot on the shelf – it was delightful.

Although Spike was usually the one to be bestowed this grand job, Twilight couldn’t resist the temptation for long. Since it was usually the alicorn who tended to part the books from their beloved shelves, it was only fitting that she should return them from time to time.

“And … done!” she declared, placing the final huge encyclopedia onto the top shelf. While wiping the single bead of sweat from under her horn, she glided steadily down towards her desk. She gave a swift rustle of her feathers, thankful to be back on all four hooves.

“Hey, Twilight, you done?” Spike called from the kitchen doorway, admiring his mentor’s handiwork.

The purple mare continued to peer down into her journal, studying it intently. “Uh-huh, I just gotta check” – Flicking her quill, she drew a large tick on her checklist – “this off. Okay, that’s my errands done for the day.”

She beamed happily at the dragon. Using her magic, she grabbed some nachos from the bowl he was holding. She did always appreciate the dragon’s cooking, even if on occasion it was ‘questionable’.

“Mmm, so what do you wanna do now?” he asked, munching on another clawful of the salty snacks.

She tapped her chin in thought. Twilight wasn’t one for not keeping busy, even on a Sunday. This was why she had to maintain her list-making, to be organised, and to tend to the task at hoof. When there was no task to place a hoof on, she could quickly find herself bored. She despised even the thought of having to sit and do nothing. Well, nothing productive at least.

“It’s a pretty nice day outside.” She peeked out one of the downstairs windows, hollowed into the tree bark. “We could … go for a walk through town? I could do with some more writing ink.”

“What, for writing more check lists?” he scoffed, bringing the bowl to his lips before gulping down the remains.

“N-no!” She shot him a piercing look, trotting over to retrieve her saddle bag. “F-for … writing in our journal.” She lied, tightening the strap with a wave of magic.

Her dragon companion groaned, opening the heavy front door. “Right. We don’t even have the journal at the moment!”

Oh, Celestia, he’s right! she thought, giving an awkward grin. “I-I think Applejack has it, or maybe … Fluttershy?”

“All I know is we don’t,” he muttered, hopping up onto Twilight’s back. The newly arisen sun peered down on the pair as Twilight stepped out onto the freshly cut grass. She was thrilled that winter had finally been wrapped up, and spring had descended upon Ponyville. Just like a little sprout, the townsfolk had begun to grow the town back to its warm, friendly bustle.

“Ah. Well, you can never have too much ink,” she said cheerfully, starting off at a brisk trot.

Spike sighed, taking in the sweet, flowery scent drifting on the breeze. “I guess.”

He listened to the sound of Twilight’s hooves clopping against the cobbled path, when they reached the small bridge leading to town. It truly was a beautiful day, and the dragon enjoyed the feeling of the warm sunlight against his scales.

“So, any stores you want to go to, Spike?” Twilight smiled, looking over her shoulder.

“Not really, Twilight. Just as long as we don’t have to go to –”

“The bookstore!” The alicorn whinnied, galloping over to her favourite place in Ponyville. Her dragon companion almost fell off with her sudden burst of speed. She pressed her muzzle against the glass, grinning at the small assortment of books in the window.

“Ugh, geez, Twilight!” Spike moaned, barely able to hold onto the alicorn’s back.

“Let’s go in!” She trotted inside, giggling at the sweet chime of the bell above the door.

Spike held his head in his claws, well aware it was the fifth time this week his mentor had visited the shop. “Yes, let’s.”

“Good morning, Princess Twilight!” a deep, smooth voice called from behind the cash register. An elderly stallion emerged from behind the counter. His pale watery eyes glistened, showing years of wisdom and a kind spirit.

“Good morning, Mr Inkwell.” Twilight tore herself away from a book stand, nodding towards him. “Please, just call me Twilight.”

“Oh, of course, Prin— Miss Twilight. It’s not every day I get royalty in my store.” He grinned, continuing to count some bits on the countertop.

“That’s alright, because Twilight actually is in here every day!” Spike huffed, leaning against the doorframe, refusing to take a step closer.

Twilight shot him a glare. “Spike! I-It’s not every day.”

“Whatever.”

“So,” she turned back to the bookshelves, inspecting them intently, “Got anything new?”

The stallion gave a hearty laugh. “Not since yesterday!”

“That’s alright,” Twilight announced, sliding a small, hardback novel of the top shelf. It was old and covered in a thick layer of dust.

“I’ll take this one.”

“That one? I’d expect you to have a copy of this in the library.” Mr Inkwell gave a look of astonishment over his half-moon spectacles.

“Oh yes, there is, but this is for my personal collection.” She smiled, placing the book on the counter. “It seems quite popular with readers, so I thought I’d give it a try.” Rarity had checked it out many a time from the library, so Twilight had been rather curious. What was so amazing about this ancient novel? Spike jumped up at the counter, grabbing the book.

“Lemmie see!” The young dragon stared at the cover. There was no illustration, just a tatty, textured cover. “Jane Mare, what’s that?”

“It’s a classic, Mister Spike.” Mr Inkwell explained, peering down at the dragon.

Spike nodded, handing the book back to Twilight. “Oh, okay.”

“Yep, probably the best love story of all time.”

“Love story!” both Twilight and her assistant barked, looking at one another. Spike burst into a fit of laughter.

“Yeah, like Twilight would read anything like that!” he breathed, wiping away a tear of joy. “She isn’t even interested in romance.”

Twilight frowned, trying her best to hide the embarrassment, and handed the book back to the elderly pony. Thanks a lot, Spike!

Was he right? She was Princess Celestia’s faithful student and a Princess, for pony’s sake! She didn’t have time for romance – that was all. It wasn’t that she wasn’t ‘interested in romance’.

“That’s not true!” she blurted angrily, before realising her words. Spike gawked at her, shocked and a little concerned. He huffed before waddling off to look at some comics. There was a tense silence before Mr Inkwell coughed loudly.

Oh, Celestia, Twilight moaned to herself. I’ll never be able to set hoof in this bookstore again.

“It’s quite alright, Miss Twilight. It’s yours,” he whispered.

“B-but sir!” she demanded, looking at him wide-eyed. She couldn’t take charity from such a nice, old stallion. It didn’t feel right.

Mr Inkwell sighed, studying Twilight’s expression. “I insist.”

“W-well, thank you. Thank you very much!”

“Well, you are my best customer after all, Princess,” the stallion said, opening a drawer behind the counter. “Miss Twilight, I couldn’t help but think about your … dilemma.”

“Dilemma?” she asked, confused. Mr Inkwell nodded, looking a little anxious. What was he talking about?

“Yes … about romance?” He looked at her sternly.

“Ugh, huh?” She gulped, anticipating the worst. Nopony had ever been so forward with her about the subject before. Perhaps not even Rarity, though she had mentioned it to Twilight a couple of times. Twilight had just presumed that everypony knew she didn’t have time for that sort of thing.

“We got some flyers given to us about this new company around Hearts and Hooves Day. It’s quite clever actually,” he explained, fishing a pile of paper out of the desk. “You write letters to other ponies who have also joined up.”

“Uh, okay.” She didn’t know what to say. At least you got to write letters, she loved to do that.

“Ah-hah! Here,” he announced, handing over a pink, fancy-looking flyer.

“Magic Match,” she read aloud, slightly confused. “S-so, is this like a pen pal service?”

“W-well, not quite, dear. More like a … dating service,” he said, pitching his voice low as not to attract the attention of Spike.

“D-d-dating!” Twilight spluttered loudly, looking between the stallion and the brightly coloured paper in horror.

He shuffled awkwardly on the spot, thinking carefully about his next words. Spike began to wander back over towards the two ponies. “Yes, I just thought that you don’t have a special somepony at the moment. Perhaps –”

“Mr Inkwell,” she spoke harshly, but quietly, “while I can appreciate your concern, I am a Princess now. I’m too wrapped up in royal duties to partake in … this!”

“What royal duties? Yesterday, you sat and read Harry Trotter for five hou –” Spike gagged as Twilight planted a hoof firm into his mouth to shut him up.

Great. Of all moments you had to be listening now, Spike. She gave an anxious laugh, smiling at the elderly stallion.

“My apologies, Miss Sparkle.” He frowned, before slipping the book’s inside a bag.

“Oh … it’s alright, Mr Inkwell,” she whispered, levitating the book into her saddle bag. She faked a smile, before turning to leave. It wasn’t her intention to snap at the poor cashier. She could feel the guilt welling up in her stomach, becoming more persistent with each passing second. Or perhaps it wasn’t guilt. Whatever it was it was a painful gut-wrenching feeling.

Loneliness?

She pushed open the shop door, the sun’s rays once again shining down on her coat. “Good day, Princess,” Mr Inkwell called, giving Twilight a strange expression. She nodded, furrowing her brow in deep thought.

“Bye!” Spike chirped, waving through the window.

I’m not lonely. I don’t need romance … d-do I? Her brain whirred, unsure of the strange concoction of emotion pulsating through her mind. She was mesmerized by it.

“Ugh, Twilight? I thought you wanted some new ink,” Spike inquired, skipping up beside her. She stayed silent, watching the cobbles pass by as she walked.

“We can get it another day, Spike. Let’s just go home.”

Spike was already fast asleep by the time Twilight had blown out the majority of candles. She left one remaining, burning brightly on her bedside dresser. The soft glow illuminated the bedroom with a faint orange like the final moments of a sunset. It was getting late, but she could spare ten minutes to read one or two chapters of her new book.

She slid quietly under the quilt, making herself comfortable. Spike gave a sharp snore for a moment before continuing his regular snoring pattern.

Alright, let’s see why this is so popular. She beamed, laying down onto her back, before snuggling into the sheets. With her magic she cracked the binding open, eager to absorb those first words. The alicorn gave a quick jump, and splutter when an unexpected surprise fell out the book and onto her muzzle.

Ugh? What in Equestria is … She lifted the paper away to read it. Her expression of shock turned to anger when realising what the mysterious gift was.

Magic Match date mail service! The flyer was the exact one Mr Inkwell had tried to force upon her earlier. She groaned, slapping a hoof against her forehead. Why was this in the book? Had he put it there on purpose?

She shook her head in disbelief. Mr Inkwell put it there by mistake, that’s all. The flyer’s pink and white colours flickered a tinge of orange in a candlelight, as she continued to read.

Do you need love in your life? Why not sign up for Magic Match! Send us your personal profile, and we will find you a perfect match. It’s that easy! Let’s us do all the searching for you.

Our state of the art personality spell will guarantee 99% compatibility with your new pen pony pal!

So what are you waiting for? Find your special somepony today!

Twilight scoffed, staring at the dark ceiling. Personality spell, what a load of pony feathers! I’ve never heard of such a spell. She rolled over, watching the flicker of her candle, and becoming more relaxed.

M-maybe I could – Her stare intensified. It was true, she’d never even been close to having a special somepony. She could only ask herself why. Was she not good enough for romance?

I-I don’t know the first thing about love. It’s not something I can learn about in a book.

She’d never thought about it until now. Maybe she was lonely. Sure, she had her friends, but never a coltfriend. Had she even tried to talk to a colt? All her life she’d been alone until she’d moved to Ponyville. Perhaps it was time for her to take a bigger step. She gulped before blowing out the bedside candle.

I … I’ll do it!