//------------------------------//
// 2. Half-Truths and Lies 
// Story: In a Timewhirl 
// by Inactive AF 
//------------------------------//

"Timewhirl. What have you just done?" I can hear the irritation in Doctor Hooves' voice.
"Well.... I was kinda very late to the interview, Doc. And she sorta started thinking that I didn't care about the job-"
"Oh so you're a mind reader as well as a time agent now?" He asks sarcastically.
"Well no.... but I got a raised eyebrow! It was just like Daddy when he was cross! Oh, I can't face this sort of judgement!" I'm panicking again, and I start to shiver with anxiety.

Suddenly, I feel myself embraced by a big body.
"Hush, Whirly, it's going to be OK." He soothes.
He rubs my back until I calm down.
"Thanks, Doc. And I'm sorry." I apologise when my breathing becomes normal.
"That's OK. Now, because I love you I'm going to let you off this once. I won't punish you, and you can retake the interview."
"Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Doc!" I exclaim.
"No problem. Now, go, you don't want to be late again."
I dash.

This time I know what to expect, and bow, smile and take a seat like a normal pony.
"Timewhirl." She greets warmly. "I must say, it was getting close, I thought you would be late!"
What the princess doesn't realise is that by repeating the time she is getting a slight sense of deja vu and expected me to be late, subconsciously of course.
"Well, I'm a good timekeeper Your Highness." I explain, smiling widely all the time.

"Indeed. Now." She peers and my CV again. "Timewhirl. Interesting name. It says here you're from Shireland?"
"Yes, I am. I moved here to be closer to my cousin, Doctor Hooves and to be away from all the current strife there."
"Yes, I heard about that. I must question you about the horses sometime." She says with apparent glee, as she jots down the information in a notebook.

"So, Timewhirl. Why do you want to be a librarian here in the castle library?" The princess enquires, back to business.
"Well, I've always loved books- reading and writing them." I explain. "In fact... that's why there's a book in my cutie mark!" Not entirely the truth there, it's much more complex than that, but oh well.
"Oh! You're an author then?" She asks.
"Uh.... yes." I reply.
"That's funny, I don't think I have books by Timewhirl, or that I've even heard of you.."
"Well, that's probably because I use a pen name." 
"And what's that?" She asks.
"Well..." I consider.

Should I tell her? I probably have to. Why did I mention it? She probably hasn't heard of me anyway, she's far too innocent, so I guess I should tell her and hope she doesn't look me up.
"Well?" She prompts with a genuine smile.
"It's Golden Lily." I say confidently with a smile.
It takes me all of a second to realise I've just made a huge mistake.

She stares at me, eyes wide, her cheeks slowly turning pink.
I stare back, my copper eyes wide in horror.
We continue like this for all of a minute and it's not long before we're both cherry red.
"You..... write.... smut?" She chokes out.

There's no going back. But... there is. Is it worth the wrath of Doc though?

OF COURSE IT IS! The Princess of Friendship knows I write smut.

"No, this isn't going to work." I explain as my horn starts to light up.
"What?" Princess Twilight asks, confused.
Damn, why does it take longer when I'm not having a panic attack? "Don't worry, it's alright." I say.

Then I'm gone.

Back to the bench in Ponyville with a disapproving cousin who is NOT impressed.

"Young mare you have some explaining to do!" He exclaims.

I am so doubly screwed.