Selected Correspondence of Twilight Sparkle and HRH Celestia
With thanks to the Canterlot National Archive for portions of this text. The following correspondence is included to provide background material for subsequent discussions and interviews and is published without correction. Further correspondence shall be included in later chapters to provide additional context.
Dear Princess Celestia,
Today is a little difficult. Bellerophon let me know this morning that he’s earned enough money to purchase a small house in town. He’s going to be on Zweibrücker Road, near the park, so it’s not a long way from here, but I feel very odd that he’ll be leaving shortly.
Spike seems to be taking it better than I am. He’s spent the last few days complaining about hair in the shower stall. I’m not sure Bellerophon could even fit in there, and I have no idea when Spike started taking showers.
Rainbow Dash still spends almost every day with him, showing him around and introducing him to all those crazy sports she likes to play. Hoofball seems to be their favourite, though how he can stand to do something so violent with those delicate appendages of his, I really don’t know. Then again they seem to be more than capable of great strength, which is something I had planned on studying in more detail when the opportunity arose. Perhaps it still shall, but it will be more difficult once he’s out from under my roof.
Look at me rambling on like he’s already left! Perhaps this is a taste of how I’ll feel when Spike finally sets out on his own.
Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
What you are experiencing is the same as any mentor figure towards a favoured student, or any parent toward a child. Or a pony toward any close friend whom circumstance takes away.
In other circumstances you may have felt compelled to ask him to leave, but the feelings would be the same. Remember that you are still his friend. Even if you grow distant, that which you shared in your time together with this human will enrich your life. I am sure he will appreciate any time you make for him, and I am equally sure he will make time for you.
If you wish to discuss this issue further, you are free to write or even visit any time. I am always here.
Princess Celestia
Dear Princess Celestia,
Lero continues to integrate well. He has finally completed his modifications to the house he purchased, even going so far as to make himself some very strange, very large furniture. It feels like being in a giant’s castle when I visit. You might feel at home there.
The others are cautious around him still, though in a good sort of way I suppose. Applejack has finally warmed to him after he fixed a hard-to-get leak on her roof but she still seems to be fairly stand-offish. I think he just confuses her. I know he confuses me at times, and I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know him.
Not as much as a certain pegasus, mind you. Rainbow Dash is spending more and more time with Lero these days. We all have our suspicions but it seems like Lero hasn’t noticed, and knowing Rainbow it’s likely she hasn’t noticed either. Applejack is talking about a pool on the outcome of their times together, which I think is a terrible thing to do to a friend. As such I’ve put myself down for no more than three bits on the spread.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
I feel somewhat concerned that I did not pay attention to your previous mention of Bellerophon’s interaction with Rainbow Dash. They do appear to have become very close, if your prior correspondence is anything to go by.
Evidently Rainbow Dash has taken Bellerophon under her wing and considers herself to be his guardian and guide. It is admirable to see such dedication to a relative stranger, and I would expect nothing less from the Element of Loyalty herself. It is interesting that she should display any sort of attraction toward an alien creature, yet ultimately it is personality that defines such things.
This is a delicate situation, which I am sure you and your friends shall handle with same tact and sensitivity that I and my sister would surely display.
Princess Celestia
To our Friend, Twilight Sparkle,
We wish to enter this ‘pool’ of which you spoke, with an opening wager of ten bits on successful consummation within a month.
Cordially,
Princess Luna
Dear Princess Celestia,
They just told us. Applejack and I, that is. Today. It’s probably the most adorable situation I’ve seen since Spike discovered he had a tail. Lero and Rainbow were pretending to be just friends but it was so obvious that they were together, the way they were sitting even closer together than usual made it pretty easy for even I to see there was something definitely going on. And then they kissed.
I like to think I’m a tolerant mare but that was incredibly unusual to see. Still adorable.
We’ve promised not to tell anypony else, though I’m making an exception for you as this is more than relevant to my continued studies of friendship. Rainbow will surely understand.
In fact secrecy may explain some of their behaviour, such as the lack of obvious courtship, though it seemed obvious Lero had no idea what Applejack was talking about when she mentioned his not having a flower. It’s made me realise again just how alien Lero is; even the most isolated Griffons know about the flowers.
I will have to study this further at some point.
Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle.
P.S. I’ve enclosed a banker’s draft for Luna’s winnings.
Twilight,
I am not entirely sure how to react to this news, given the very secretive way they are going about their relationship, but I wish your friends all the very best. Please keep me informed of their progress. Given everything he has endured, I would dearly like to see Lero find happiness here.
I shall speak with Luna later.
Princess Celestia
Dis gon' be good!
Well this is interesting, someone decided to add to Xenophilia. I was wondering when a side story would appear. Maybe the author can help you with some of the world building.
1486649
Sounds pretty interesting to me.
Maybe a HIE story that will not receive a lot of hate.
Against my better judgement I'm gonna take a look at this later.
All I'm saying is this better be good if it's going to be a continuation of Xenophilia. I'll be majorly pissed it isn't.
1490667
Tell me if it's worth my time, okay?
I'm interested as well, but I've got lectures in half an hour and have had a grand total of 3 hours sleepsdl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Lyra_cry.png
1490667 Not to boast but AnonAuthor seems to like it. Oh wait that is boasting...
I would be surprised if it appealed to the entire audience of Xenophilia. It's a very different sort of fic, more about the sociological aspects than anything else. Also Twilight writing academic papers.
Will track for a while. Seems promising.
I Rofl'd
Other than that this is a very neat Fic you have come up with, tracked and a thumb
archonix, you're a cool guy
These letters sound great! I wonder what the next few letters are gonna be like?
Perhaps we'll see a whole series of side stories from other authors generated from Xenophilia?
1490667
I personally think it's quite good. It's different, and I enjoy the academic, scholarly tone, and I like the way he's going to be switching styles for the different chapters. (I've seen some other chapters that you folks haven't) I obviously can't speak for anyone but myself, but I like both the concept and the execution, and I love that cover picture. Love. It.
1491956
I know, isn't it a fascinating approach? I was quite enthusiastic about it when archonix contacted me, and my enthusiasm hasn't diminished. I hope it will be as well-received as its predecessor.
As someone who's not a particular fan of clop, but absolutely LOVED Xenophilia, this is pretty damn good! And as a student of biological sciences, I'm loving the academic theme, especially attemtping to explain interspecies social relationships and interactions.
dis gun b gud
1491324
Yes that is boasting you magnificent bastard. I like the scholarly way it's going about the whole relationship but I'm wondering if it's going to be told entirely as a series of missives to and from Twilight Sparkle or will this alternate between things like the academic paper, the letters and possibly interviews? Also, is that Lyra we see as the third member?
1491307
Took a look at it last night and I'll admit I was intruigued. While I feel it deserves a watch at the moment, I don't know if I'm going to favourite it just yet.
1492034
I have a serious fondness for Xenophilia as you've probably guessed over the events that happened yesterday and the last thing I would want is somebody coming along and somehow taking away from that story by having something less good attached to it. But if you're all for it, then I've got nothing to complain about other than to see how this new chapter progresses.
1492294 Oh, no pressure then?
Yes, that is Lyra. dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Lyra_dealwithit.png
I know I won't be as good. One of the reasons I went for this different style (or collection of styles, really) is because my prose style is very different to Xenophilia, so I figured if I was going to be different, I might as well go the whole hog. I make no promises, I just want to try.
1492034 Oh you!
1491934 I know that AnonponyDASHIE is working on side-stories, and I'm seriously looking forward to them. No idea what they'll be (and I do worry I'm treading on his toes an awful lot with my ideas here) but they're bound to be interesting.
1492294
Did something happen yesterday? You can PM me with a response, so we don't hijack the comments here.
As for what you said to archonix... I think you'll be pleased.
1492400
No pressure at all. I'll just be here sharpening my tongue and waiting for you to slip up before leaping for your jugular. Mwahahahahahaha!
But in all seriousness, so far it warrants a watch and I'm all up for the inclusion of Lyra although I'm wondering if you're going to be treating her as the humanophile with a fascination for hands that seems to have taken over the fandom.
1492403
It was something I brought to AnonponyDASHIE's attention that some hack had literally plagarised almost one whole chapter of Xenophilia in the most obvious way. There's more about this on my blog if you want to check it out including text capture. He's taken the chapters down now and he was reported for it but I and others were a little incensed that this happened.
i.imgur.com/ViY7j.gif
Seriously in what little there is looks great tracking.
1492661 Oh absolutely not. Though she wasn't in it much I rather like the hinted character she had in Xenophilia. She's a bit of a free spirit and a bit of a mystic, but very firmly bedded in reality. She could easily be a cynic, but it seems rather too depressing and she'd prefer to enjoy her life.
If anyone has an obsession with Lero's hands it'll be Rainbow Dash. For some reason.
*scrolls along through the featured list* Hmm... angst, angst, emo, angst, grimdark (x5,000), DBZ in Equestria (Ooo! Watched and favorited!), Xenophile... xeno...
HOT DAMN!!
*reads* Heeeyyyyyy, you tricked me into reading smart stuff!
1493598 dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Lyra_dealwithit.png
Interesting.
(*reads first chapter*) Not bad, I like the scholarly approach.
(*reads second chapter*) Okay, kinda cute.
Okay, thumbs up and going in the favourites.
If you ever want any help, just ask. I loved the world this is building on, I love world building, and I'm a pretty good editor.
Also, this is turning out very nicely.
i like
you get a pony
24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m57zqxwxR71r0txg6o1_1280.gif
I like Luna being a bit looser than your average Princess.
Moment she hears about a romance bet? "Ten bucks they're in bed by the end of the month."
Tracking progress.
The subtext of Celestia's first response; the "In other circumstances..." line, specifically, is just priceless. There's just no way Twilight would pick up on it, either.
How can there be a spread for the betting? Is there some kind of Rainbow vs. Leroy point-scoring?
Twilight is best bookie.
This is beginning to look like another version of "The Memoirs of a Reality Jumper." I think I'll take a look at the full story sometime later. Right now it reminds me of the Applejack's Diary sidestories and my idea of reading those short stories first to get a good idea on what the main story is about and before deciding to read it.
I find it hilarious what luna did xD its cool she isn't uptight at all and while reading this I SO wanna cross refrence these letters with the actual story xenophilia xD
...go on.
Oh, Luna... Luna, Luna, Luna. Gambling? Tsk... I am disappointed in you, Princess.
1494778 Oh, get out of here...!
1495829 I'm more dissapointed Celestia didn't partake in the pool! Maybe Luna could have won bragging rights.
1493936 but thats a changeling not a pony
1492034 I absolutely love it! I can't wait to read the discussions, and data comparison between worlds!
Eeeee~!!! So excited!
Oh you silly Luna.
GAMBLUNA~! :P
Instafav for Twilight's scholarly style introduction.
I wonder what Luna bought with her winnings...maybe an abacus?
1491544
Reason why Luna is best princess.
I would have liked to see more of these back and forth letters, very entertaining.
Oh Luna, you old hound dog you.
1493936
lol
-
looks like Luna is going to get a time-out!
-I would like/favorite you 12 times more for that if I could!
This is how imagine Luna telling Celestia a bout the bet
fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/121/6/7/princess_luna___the_fun_has_been_doubled__vector_by_cubonator-d4y66om.png
``Look Tia!!! I won 30 Bits``
OK, I so want to see that! The d'aww would be very strong.
1895019
He started sucking on it when he hatched in "Cutie Mark Chronicles"...of course she could mean when he was old enough to be self aware of his tail...whatever.
Luna's letter. Priceless.
Am I sensing a hidden message in Celestia's letter to Twilight about their relationship?
1491324 i like academic things.
LUNA'S IN FOR 10 BITS ON THE NEW GUY!
I'LL GO 20!
PUT MY IN FOR 50!
I OFFER UP MY FIRSTBORN!
firstborn: "Daaaaaaaaad..."
"Quiet son, this is a sure win."