//------------------------------// // Book 5: Moonlight Scroll // Story: Writing Future Pages // by River Road //------------------------------// “Can I help you?” Pages looked at the young stallion addressing him. He was a dark blue unicorn with light blue eyes, his mane two shades of red. On his flank was the picture of a rolled-up piece of parchment, tied together by a light blue ribbon. “Oh, hello. No, I was just looking around, not for anything in particular.” Pages looked the other pony over. “I don’t think I have met you before. Do you work in this library?” “Uhm, yeah, I do…” The unicorn rubbed his neck nervously. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure what to say. With you not looking for anything in particular, I mean…” He trailed off, giving a nervous smile. Pages chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll find something worthwhile.” He held out his hoof to Moonlight. “But right now I’m more interested in you. My name is Future Pages.” The unicorn shook it hesitantly. “Moonlight Scroll. I’m not very interesting, though…” “Oh, pish posh. Let me be the judge of that.” Pages waved him off. “There is no such thing as a boring pony. I should know that, I talked to ponies that definitely looked the part.” “If you say so…” Moonlight avoided his gaze, slightly embarrassed. “I do say so. But right now I’d like you to say something. What is your life like, Mister Scroll… How did you get this job at the library? Do you have a marefriend, family, what is your special talent? Please talk about whatever you feel comfortable with.” “Well… I really don’t know what I’m supposed to talk about. I don’t have a real talent… I just got at this job because they were looking for somepony and I like being around books. I don’t have a marefriend, either… I don’t think anypony would be interested in me.” He looks down. “Now don’t go saying something like that. There must be something special about you.” “There really isn’t. I’m not bad at stacking books, but that’s really nothing to be proud of. Everypony could do that.” Moonlight took a small stack of books, not even taking a closer look at the titles as he levitated them into several places in a bookshelf seemingly at random. “Excuse me?” A middle-aged pegasus mare trotted up to them. “I was looking for–“ “Aisle Seven, third shelf.” Moonlight pointed in one direction. “Smarty Brickoven’s “Baked Spectaculars” has a lot of recipes that are easy to make and very good. That’s what I heard, at least, I never found the time to try them myself, yet.” “I, uhm…” The mare blinked, trying to catch up with the conversation. “Okay? Thank you, that’s exactly what I was looking for.” Her face had visibly lit up during the last sentence and she turned to trot in the direction Moonlight had pointed in. Moonlight had already turned back to his books. “Anyway, like I said… I’m not anything special, and I don’t think any mare would be interested in me. I can barely talk to mares as it is.” Pages looked at him for a moment, then shook his head, smiling. “If you say so. You’re not giving yourself enough credit, though. I’m sure that you’re going to find the perfect mare for yourself someday.” Moonlight didn’t reply, already completely distracted by his books. Pages chuckled and turned away, starting to trot away. “Aisle Fourteen.” “I’m sorry?” Pages stopped and turned back around. “Aisle Fourteen.” Moonlight didn’t look away from the books he was sorting. “I don’t know where, but somewhere in that aisle is the book you’re looking for.” Pages watched him for a moment, then smiled and turned away, trotting off towards the back of the library. Aisle fourteen… I found out recently that Moonlight has indeed found himself a marefriend. I have written about that travelling showmare before, and it seems that she has finally decided to settle down. I think they’re just perfect for each other… It would be a sad world if they weren’t.