The Mailmare and the Watchmaker

Chapters

I Brought You a Letter!
Time Off
A Time and a Place
To Whom it May Concern

I Brought You a Letter!

The mailroom of the Ponyville Postal Service lay in shambles. Completely littered with postmarked envelopes, unsigned packages, and partially-consumed muffins, of the lemon surprise flavor, mind you, the intriguing little pegasus mare stationed at this section of the office tried her best to pick up after herself. It would seem, however, that every time she bent over to tidy up a stack of papers, the ones behind her would somehow find their way back onto the floor.

“Stupid letters,” Ditzy Doo sighed, grabbing the mail with her mouth. As she drooped her head, her haunches rose into the air, causing her tail to flutter about and smack into another stack of mis-alphabetized messages. “Oh… Oh no,” she whined, staring at the new layer of litter on the ground. She ruffled her blonde mane and rubbed her derped face. For a moment, her eyes aligned correctly, but after a few seconds, they adjusted to their normal position.

“Ditzy! Ditzy Doo!” a voice boomed from the adjacent office. The abrupt summons startled the mare, and she crashed into a pile of parcels positioned unevenly around each other. “Ms. Doo, what on earth are you doing in there?!”

“Uh… I’m trying to find today’s deliveries!” Ditzy shouted back, scrunching her face at the incomprehensible sea of white and occasional paper-brown.

“It’s a wonder that you’re still able to keep your job, given how disastrously messy you are,” the voice said again, this time from the doorway.

Standing in the office now, with a bemused countenance, was a light orange pegasus stallion. His short, green mane tufted out from the back of his neck and spiked up at the top of his cranium. He wore the traditional mail uniform, yet his name tag held three engraved stars under his title, something Ditzy envied with all her might. He wasn’t considerably large, but the stern glare plastered over his face was enough to force Ditzy Doo out of her letter pile and into attention.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Tangelo, sir!” she cried out, leaning over to grab a set of letters. The ones she had stashed in her carrying tote slipped out now, gliding over her head and onto the floor. Mr. Tangelo accompanied each one to the ground with his eyes.

“Ditzy,” he said in a softer tone, not as oppressive, yet still kind of scary, “how many times have I told you that you need to wear your uniform inside and outside of the office?”

“S-sorry, Mr. Tangelo… I guess I forgot again,” she said, lifting the mess off of the floor.

“Yes, that happens a lot as well,” Tangelo muttered under his breath. “Regardless, I need you to stop wasting time here as I already have today’s deliveries prepared for you.”

“You do?!” Ditzy cried, speeding over to Tangelo. Her sudden burst of wind pushed all of the remaining letters onto the ground, as well as uplifting the piles already strewn about on the floor.

“Yes,” Tangelo sighed, putting on a smile. “It would be good for you to… get some fresh air. Not to mention, you are one of the faster mailponies in our department. I figure, even if you are seven minutes behind schedule, you can make up the time.”

“Seven minutes?!” she shouted, glancing at her watch. “But my time says it’s 7:38!”

“When was the last time you had a battery in that thing?”

Ditzy stared at her supervisor for a moment before blushing.

“Oh, my bad,” she said, chuckling nervously afterwards. Tangelo rolled his eyes.

“Don’t worry about your previous engagement, I’m sure we can sort it out at a later time, assuming you’ll actually be on one then,” he remarked, turning away from her and trotting back to his office.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Tangelo,” Ditzy said. “I’ll get these taken care of and be back in time to clean up my mess!”

“I’m sure you will,” Tangelo said, pointing to the large bag on the floor. He entered his office and politely shut the door.

Ditzy was too busy preparing for her routes to hear any of Tangelo’s muffled screams and whatever else he was doing in his office now. She had slipped on her vest and slung the bag of letters over her shoulder, making sure to proudly display the shiny mailpony badge on the outward strap. This was her favorite part of the job, and for good reason too.

“Time to go see all of my friends!” she shouted, taking off rather smoothly this time. She flew out of the building in the clouds and into the the warm, sunny sky. She took in a deep breath, soaking in all of the amazing beauty that her quaint little town had to offer. Upon her exhale, she giggled with excitement and took off.

“Hey, thanks, Ditz,” Rainbow Dash said, patting her on the head.

“Rainbow Dash, I told you I don’t like it when you do that!” she replied, flapping away and straightening her mane.

“Aw, lighten up, Ditzy. I’m just showing you that I appreciate ya,” Rainbow said, knocking her lightly in the foreleg. “So, you just about done then?”

“Yeah,” Ditzy said, doing a loop in the air. “I got one last letter to deliver and then I gotta go back and clean my room.”

“Clean your room?” Rainbow Dash scratched her head.

“My office! Mr. Tangelo said it’s a mess,” she replied.

“That shtick, huh? Well, I better not hold you then,” Rainbow said, hoof bumping her friend. “Good luck with Mr. Tart when you get back.”

“Huh? Who’s Mr. Tart?” Rainbow gave Ditzy a light tap on the shoulder and chuckled.

“And that’s why you’re my favorite mailmare,” she said, flying away. “I’ll meet you at the Cider Slider later!”

“Oh, ok! Thank you Rainbow Dash!” Ditzy shouted, waving at the vanishing blur. “But who’s Mr. Tart?” She hovered in the air for a little bit before laughing suddenly. “He can be a bit sour at times,” she giggled, flying towards her next destination.

She glanced down at the letter in her hooves and studied the address intently, trying to figure out where exactly it was located. She didn’t recognized it at all. According to the postal code, however, it would be located just in the center of town. Ditzy descended, coming to a halt and decided to trot the rest of the way.

“Let’s see,” she sang to herself, looking down at the address on the envelope and back up at the buildings. “2003… 2004… Oh, 2005! This is the place!” Now that she had arrived, she remembered where she was. It was a while since she came to this particular side of town, however.

The building itself was rather old, and from what Ditzy could recall, it had been abandoned for quite some time. She lifted her head, staring now at the sign on the side of the wall. “Time Turner,” she read. Above the name plate was another sign that read, Timey Wimey: A Preferred Watchmaker “Yep, it matches the letter!” She opened the mailbox and placed it inside, turning around to leave.

A thought entered her mind though, at the last moment. She lifted her foreleg and saw that her watch had not moved from its original position, despite the fact that she had been out for a few hours already. She faced the shop again and smiled. That would be perfect! If she got her watch fixed, Tangelo wouldn’t have to worry about her being late anymore. She proudly congratulated herself for her idea, bowing in front of the store at an invisible audience.

“Are you quite all right?” a light voice said from behind her now. Ditzy shouted, jumping into the air before planting face-first into the ground. Her wings remained flared open, slowly resuming their folded position as she brought her head off of the grass.

“I’m sorry,” she squeaked, covering her face still. “Please don’t tell Mr. Tangelo I was dancing around.”

“I… I don’t know a Mr. Tangelo,” the brown earth stallion replied, offering to help her off of the floor. “I’m sure I wouldn’t, even if I did,” he added.

“Oh, that’s a relief!” Ditzy cried, shaking the dirt off of herself. The stallion backed away, avoiding any loose debris that might have fallen on him. “Hi, I’m Ditzy Doo. I’m a mailmare here in Ponyville. I don’t think I’ve seen you around before.” She extended her hoof out to him.

“Time Turner, a pleasure, Ditzy,” he replied, reluctantly accepting the handshake. He looked directly at her eyes, wanting to say something but also feeling the urge to not point out her… seemingly perplexed complexion.. “I uh… I just moved here, about a week ago.”

“Time Turner? So you’re the one I just delivered a letter to!”

“I have mail?” Time Turner asked, trotting over to his mailbox. He opened it and removed the envelope from inside, examining the return address. “Ah, I see,” he said. “Well, thank you, Ditzy Doo.” He smiled, bowing a little before opening his front door and entering.

“Oh, wait!” the bubbly mare shouted, grabbing the stallion’s attention before he could disappear.

“Yes?”

“Your sign says you’re a watchmaker, right?” She noticed his hourglass cutiemark and pointed to that as well. Time Turner glanced at his name plate and then back at Ditzy.

“That it does,” he replied. “I am a watchmaker, though nowadays I mostly fix watches and work on specialty commissions.”

“Do you think you could fix mine? It’s busted and I kind of need it for work,” Ditzy said, shaking it robustly next to her ear. She glided over to Time Turner and did the same next to his head, startling him suddenly. “See, I think it needs like a battery or something.” Time Turner grabbed her hoof and studied the object on her wrist.

“It’s an older model, that’s for sure,” he commented. Her placed the letter in the satchel over his back and removed the watch on Ditzy’s wrist. “Let’s see if I maybe have a spare battery.”

“Thank you! That would be great!” she shouted. Time Turner opened his door, allowing Ditzy to enter before him. She stepped inside the musty building and coughed a little, holding a hoof up to her muzzle. “Sorry, my bad.”

“No, it’s quite alright,” Time Turner replied, shutting the door. He trotted over to the window and opened it. “I’ve still got plenty of unpacking to do, not to mention I haven’t really cleaned out the place yet.” He placed Ditzy’s watch on the counter in the front of the shop and squeezed through a crevice created by two towers of boxes.

“I remember this used to be an old horseshoe shop,” Ditzy said, standing close to the window next to the door.

“Well, that probably explains the smell,” Time Turner chuckled, straining to remove a box from the top of a stack. He set the box on the floor and opened the following one, rummaging through its contents. Ditzy Doo stood quietly by the window, waiting for the stallion to find a battery. For a long while, there was nothing but the clatter and an occasional mumble from the occupied stallion.

“So, you said you just moved here,” Ditzy said then. “Where from?”

“Trotland,” Time Turner replied, pulling what appeared to be a small mint out from the box. He examined the object and began his return to the counter.

“Trotland? That’s really far away!”

“Yes, it is, isn’t it?” he replied, setting the watch battery down.

“It also explains the accent,” she added. He flipped Ditzy’s wristwatch over and muttered something under his breath. “Need my screwdriver,” he said, diving into the sea of boxes again.

“Well, why did you come to Ponyville? Didn’t like the cold?”

“No, no, I enjoyed the cooler temperature, actually,” he replied, returning to the counter. “I just needed a change of pace though.” He began unscrewing the back flap of the watch. Ditzy watched closely, making sure to memorize how to do it herself.

“I’ve lived in Ponyville my whole life,” she said then. “I was born in Cloudsdale, but I moved here because of all of the nice ponies, and because of my job.”

“I had heard that Ponyville was a rather friendly village,” Time Turner commented. “I haven’t met anypony officially yet, however.”

“Well, you met me!”

He looked up from his work and smiled at the wide streak of white that Ditzy held on her face.

“I suppose I have, haven’t I?” He installed the battery and began tinkering now with the gears within the device, making sure to check his own every so often. “Your watch is calibrated rather oddly,” he said.

“Yeah, it was stuck at 7:38 for a while,” she said, leaning on the counter now. She brought her face closer to the spectacle, nodding at the stallion’s adjustments. Time Turner perfectly set the dials and closed the flap. He set the watch down and leaned over to tighten the lid, but collided with Ditzy’s head the moment he bent over.

“Oh! Ow! I’m so sorry, Ditzy, are you okay?” he cried, grabbing his forehead.

“Y-yeah,” she winced, rubbing her head. “I got a thick skull.”

“I can tell,” Time Turner replied, rubbing his head as well now. “Just allow me to tighten this, and you can be on your way, okay, Ditzy?.”

“Kay, thanks,” she said, getting over the accident faster than the pony in front of her. Time Turner finished his little task and handed Ditzy her watch back. She strapped it onto her wrist and cheered happily at the moving arms. “Listen! It’s ticking, it’s ticking!”

“Yes,” the stallion chuckled. “That’s what it’s supposed to do.”

“Let me repay you,” Ditzy said, reaching into her pouch.

“Oh it’s fine, you really don’t have to,” Time Turner said, still rubbing his head. “The shop isn’t even officially open so—”

“No, it’s fine. This will help you!” Ditzy removed a bandage from her pouch and leaned over the counter, placing it on the stallion’s head. “You made me feel better, so I’ll do the same for you!”

“Well… that’s nice, Ditzy Doo. Thank you,” he replied. “The ponies here in Ponyville are nice after all.”

“Oh no, is it really 12:30?!” Ditzy rushed over to the door. “Thank you, Time Turner. It was nice meeting you!”

“The feeling was mutual, I assume you recall?” he replied with a smile of his own. “I guess I’ll be seeing more of you then?”

“Everyday you have mail!” she replied, exiting the shop. “Bye!”

“Good day,” Time Turner tried to say, but Ditzy was already gone before the words came out.

Time Off

“I brought you a letter!” The bubbly voice carried in from the open window next to the shop door. Ditzy fluttered outside the opening and held a stamped envelope in her hoof. Time Turner, who had just finished tinkering with some small gears, looked up. His eyes bulged out at the flying mare through the magnified lenses of his copper-toned goggles.

“Ah, Ditzy Doo. A pleasure, as always,” he said, lifting the eye-wear over his head. He blinked a few times to readjust his vision.

“No, put them back on!” Ditzy pleaded suddenly. Time Turner removed a hoof from his face and raised a brow.

“Excuse me?”

“Put your glasses back on,” Ditzy chuckled. “You looked like a bug or something!” She laughed and handed him his mail. He retrieved it with a chuckle of his own and shook his head.

“Well, thank you again. Good day, Ditzy.” He placed the envelope on a nearby stand and returned to his work bench.

“What are you working on?” she asked, hanging on the windowsill now. Time Turner replaced his goggles and removed a pocket watch from the small box on his table.

“A customer asked that I fix his beloved family heirloom,” he replied without looking up. “I’m examining the parts and making sure that I have enough spares for a complete repair, if needed.” He looked up now and raised his hoof. “That reminds me, I actually have some mail to be sent out.”

“Whoa,” Ditzy exclaimed. “It’s only been a week since you set up and you’ve got orders for parts or something?”

“Haha, no, not so. My clientele isn’t that rigorous as of yet,” he responded. Time Turner removed his goggles again and trotted over to a large cabinet in the back of the workshop. He had done a rather decent job of stitching up the place after moving in. No longer did cobwebs hang from the ceiling, and the smell of old horseshoe was replaced with a nice lemon fragrance, reminding Ditzy of her favorite snack.

“I didn’t know you had so many clocks and watches, Time Turner,” she said, admiring all of the ticking variants hanging along the walls.

“Well, considering they were all stuffed in a box until just recently, I wouldn’t expect you to,” he replied, unlocking the cabinet. “But that actually pertains to my package in question.”

“Cool, I get to deliver a package to somepony?” Ditzy asked, entering through the window of the shop. She fluttered over to the space behind Time Turner’s counter.

“Oi!” he shouted, causing her to flinch.

“What?”

“I have a door, you know? Also, this section is for employees only,” he explained, pursing his lips.

“Ah… oh, I’m sorry, Time Turner,” Ditzy sighed.

“I’m merely fooling, Ms. Doo,” he said with a chuckle. “I was actually hoping you would come in and save me the trouble of walking out at the moment.”

“What’s wrong with walking? It’s a beautiful day outside!” she said, twirling about in midair.

“It is rather pleasant, isn’t it?” he observed, peeking out the window. “However, I am really busy, as this is but one of the many commissions I was given upon opening my shop.” He handed her the parcel, and she took it and stuffed it in her mail tote.

“Make any new friends yet?”

“Not as of late,” he replied, making his way back to the work bench. “Won’t you be late for your other deliveries if you remain here and talk with me?”

“Nah,” Ditzy said, holding up her wristwatch. “Since you fixed my watch, I’ve been ahead on all of my deliveries!”

“Well, I suppose that’s something,” Time Turner said, removing a few tools from a chest.

“Yeah it’s something,” Ditzy shouted, fluttering in front of him now. He dropped his micro screwdriver as she positioned herself at the front of the store. “Anyway, thanks again. I’ll make sure to get this package to where you need it, tooth… erm, toost… toot…”

“Tout Suite?” the stallion finished.

“Yeah, tootsie wheat!” Ditzy squeaked. Time Turner shook his head again. “What is it that I’m mailing?” she asked him.

“Did you need to know?” he returned quite suddenly.

“Well, it’s just a department policy. I’d have you fill out the paperwork and subject this to screening, but I trust you!”

“That’s… rather interesting,” Time Turner said. “Very well then, I can promise you all that is is a simple memento to a friend, back home. She requested I mail it to her.”

“Ooh, a her eh? Who’s that, Timey?” Ditzy teased.

“We’re on a nickname basis now, is that it? Okay then, Derpy. She’s actually my lover,” he replied.

“Derpy?” she mused, rubbing her chin. “Hey, it’s because of my eyes, huh?” Time Turner widened his own eyes.

“A rather straight-to-the-point accusation, however accurate.”

“Ha, well you’re lucky it sounds like a cute name,” she said.

“Actually, I would find it rather offensive, and I’m sort of regretting calling you that now.”

“Don’t worry about it, I don’t mind,” Ditzy said, making her way back towards the window. “Why would you move away from your lover?”

“I know I regarded you as frank,” Time Turner began, looking oddly at her, “but I would go as far to say that asking such a thing is borderline nosy.”

“Well, if I had a stallion friend that was my lover, I don’t think I would move away from him,” she argued.

“You know… I am still on the clock,” Time Turner interjected.

“Was that a joke?” Ditzy giggled.

“No,” he chuckled. “I figure, you are working as well, and now might not be the time for fraternizing, hmm?”

“Oh, I get it. I’m bothering you…”

“I’d rather not have thought of it like that, but... I’m sorry, Ditzy, but I really am busy and do wish to get back to my work,” he said.

“That’s okay. I think I’m out of time too,” she replied. She exited through the window, and turned around in a blush. “My bad,” she apologized.

“It’s quite alright,” Time Turner responded. “Just… make sure the window is open when you do that.”

“Hey,” she said again, stopping him in his tracks.

“Yes? What is it, Ms. Doo?”

“After work, me and my friend, Rainbow Dash, usually hang out at the Cider Slider. It’s a neat place. I figured I could show you around town and maybe we can meet up there with her?”

“Where is this coming from all of a sudden?” he asked, strapping his goggles on again.

“It’s been a whole week and you still don’t know anypony here,” she replied, raising a brow.

“That’s not true. Why, today I had the pleasure of acquainting myself with that lovely mare in the town square, with the shop stand,” he retorted.

“What was her name?”

“Appleseed or something of that sort…”

“I just don’t want you to be lonely here is all,” Ditzy said then, removing Time Turner from his thoughts.

“Alone? I’m not really alone. I’ve sent and received a few messages from May Flower, and I see you almost everyday.”

“May Flower? Is she your girlfriend?”

“Right then, that’s enough,” Time Turner chuckled, slipping his goggles over his face. “I’ll be busy now. Carry on, Ms. Doo. I thank you for the invitation, but I’ve got to have this done by Wednesday. Good day.”

“Okay…” Ditzy said, hovering in the same spot for a little while. “My offer still stands. If you want to see the town, and maybe get to know more than the mailmare and the apple clerk. Come by the Cider Slider.”

“Thank you, I will keep that in mind,” Time Turner said, removing a piece from the pocket watch. Although she remained outside the building, he refused to acknowledge her anymore. He was now removing pieces left and right and mumbling incoherent words to himself.

Ditzy shuffled off, flying low to the ground, deep in thought. She nearly finished her route, remaining silent along the way, except to those who had readily greeted her on her trip. The smile would fade, however, as she thought back to the earth pony sitting alone in his little shop.

“I guess I struck a nerve,” she said, stopping at a cottage to deliver some mail. “My bad.”

“May Flower? Sounds prissy if you ask me,” Rainbow Dash commented, finishing a gulp of apple cider in her mug. She placed the cup on the oaken tabletop, laying down another bit for the waiter to fill up her container. “Time Turner sounds pretty stuck up too.”

“He’s actually really nice,” Ditzy replied, poking her banana-nut muffin. The sound of billiards in the background distracted her for a second. It reminded her of a ticking clock. “It just seems like he’s a little… edgy.”

“I would be too, especially if I called Applejack Appleseed,” Rainbow chuckled. “Wait till I tell her…”

“I want him to feel welcomed here. He was really kind to me, and is the only pony that really associates with me—”

“Ahem!” Rainbow Dash coughed, leaning over the bar and glaring at the mare next to her.

“On the job,” Ditzy finished, taking a sip of her drink. Rainbow did the same, releasing a satisfied sigh afterwards. The fans overhead hummed subtly, only audible whenever the soft jazz in the background switched tracks.

“Did ya invite him here? It’s not a bad place to get to know some ponies.”

“I mentioned it,” the gray mare replied. “He didn’t seem too excited.”

“Heh, he probably drinks stuff like unsweetened tea, and eats biscuits all day.”

“Why are you being mean?” Ditzy asked, shoving her friend a little.

“I’m not!” Rainbow protested. “I’m just teasing you about your crush is all.”

“He’s not my crush,” Ditzy replied. She scrunched her muzzle up at Rainbow’s accusation. All Rainbow did in return was grin slyly, and sip out the top of her glass.

“Then why are you so worried about him?” she chuckled. “If anything, he’ll get bored holed up in his little shop and start meeting some ponies before you know it. Give it some time.”

“Besides… he has May Flower, remember?”

“Oh, so you’re going back to that, huh? It’s so fancy… it’d be like a name you’d give a hot air balloon!” Rainbow laughed. “Excuse me, sir, would you fancy a ride on my dirigible? I like to call her, May Flower!”

“She doesn’t sail too badly, to tell the truth,” Time Turner said from behind the mare. Rainbow Dash slipped off of her stool and fell on the floor, garnering a few chuckles from around the room. “So sorry, allow me to give you a lift,” the stallion said, holding his hoof out.

“I got it, just back up,” Rainbow Dash said, picking herself off of the floor.

“Time Turner, you decided to come!” Ditzy cheered.

“Yes, well… I finished that commission earlier than I expected, and rather than sit at home sipping tea and nibbling on biscuits, I decided to see what common ponyfolk do in their spare time.”

“Har har, you’ve got a sense of humor,” Rainbow Dash said, fixing her bar stool. “You gonna seat yourself, or what?”

“If you don’t mind, Ms. Dash,” Time Turner said, taking the stool next to Ditzy. “I would like a glass of water though, a lemon on the side as well.” The bartender stared at the stallion for a moment and shuffled off to complete the request.

“Water? Does he know where he’s at?”

“Rainbow Dash, stop!” Ditzy protested, swinging around to face the other pegasus.

“I can see why you associate with somepony like Ms. Dash here, Ditzy,” Time Turner remarked. “She’s a great listener.”

“Time Turner, that's—”

“Are you trying to start something?” Rainbow interrupted. Ditzy shrunk in her stool. “I don’t have a problem pounding you up, buddy.”

“I’m not wanting to start anything, Ms. Dash. I am merely associating with you, as per custom in this village,” the stallion replied.

“You know, I’d like to mess your teeth up… but given where you’re from, I might not have to!” Rainbow Dash slammed her hoof on the bar.

“Goodness, can’t a stallion order a drink without being subjected to the stereotypes of his ethnicity? I suppose it’s to be expected from your sort, however.” The bartender returned with a tall glass of water and a sliced lemon on a saucer.

“Hope it ain’t too yankee for ya,” he said, trotting away. Time Turner turned to Ditzy and pointed a hoof at the bartender’s back.

“Time Turner,” she said, furrowing her brow, “why did you come here? Did you really take me up on my offer, or are you trying to do something else?”

“All I’m trying to do is get a drink,” he replied, picking up his glass. He squeezed a lemon slice in the cup and dropped the husk inside. “After which I will gladly depart back home.”

“Hey, you started things,” Rainbow Dash growled, bringing her cup up to her mouth. She took several large gulps and sat the mug down. “I was just playing around.”

“Do make it more apparent next time, as I tend to take things rather seriously outside of my comfort zone,” Time Turner said.

Ditzy sat silent, shifting her eyes back and forth between Rainbow Dash and Time Turner. Each one had taken to studying a different object within the establishment, quietly enjoying their beverages. She took a bite of her muffin and sipped some cider, sighing and leaning on the bar.

“She was from Manehattan, by the way,” Time Turner suddenly said. Both mares looked in his direction. “Loved apples. Still does, I bet. About as yankee as one could get.” He finished his water and placed a few bits on the table. Stepping off of his bar stool, he looked towards Ditzy and smiled. “Thank you for inviting me.” He leaned over and gave a small smile to Rainbow Dash. “Thank you for bearing with me.”

“I might have to get used to it,” she replied, spinning some coins on the tabletop. Time Turner nodded.

“You might have to,” he affirmed. He gave Ditzy one final farewell gesture, and left.

“Yeah, he seems nice,” Rainbow muttered from her raised mug. Ditzy Doo sighed, sliding her drink between her hooves.

A Time and a Place

“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.

To Whom it May Concern

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, and you didn’t open the envelope?” Rainbow Dash asked, nearly choking on her drink.

“No! I… I mean, it wasn’t mine… I didn’t…”

“Let me stop you right there,” Rainbow said, holding her hoof up. “You had the opportunity of a lifetime and didn’t take it, because you were worried about what he might think of you?”

“Gosh, Rainbow,” Ditzy said. “You make it sound like you could do this without any issues at all.”

“Yeah, if I didn’t know the stallion, which I don’t,” Rainbow replied. She chuckled a little and took a sip of her drink. Lowering her glass slightly, she peered at Ditzy. A small grin cracked across her face. “This proves that you like him…”

“R-r-rainbow…!”

“Bwahahahahaha!” Rainbow Dash laughed, and then coughed suddenly, as her cider invaded her lungs. She swiveled in her chair, spurting out half-laughs, half-coughs as Ditzy burned a violent red.

“I already told you, he has a girlfriend!”

“Or… maybe he doesn’t anymore,” she wheezed.

“What are you sa—”

“Who’d you say that letter was from? Maybelieve?”

“May Flower,” Ditzy corrected.

“Whatever,” Rainbow sighed. “There’s a chance that May Flower has sent a break-up message to her handsome stallion.”

“You’re being antagonistic,” Ditzy growled. “Stop being antagonistic!”

“I’m being optimistic!” Rainbow shouted, slamming her drink down. “Didn’t you say that he was having girl problems with this mare?”

“So, what? Pounce on him the moment his girlfriend conveniently dumps him?”

“Well, when you say it like that—”

“No, Rainbow,” Ditzy affirmed. “Unlike you, I have morals.”

“I have morals,” Rainbow replied quickly. “It’s just a matter of me followin’ them is all.”

“Fine, then, I follow my morals,” Ditzy retorted, gripping her drink. She brought it close to her lips but stopped as a flash of white appeared in the corner of her eye.

“You follow your morals, huh? Then what’s this doing here?”

“Where did you—”

“Stickin’ out of your mailbag… It’s funny, this is the first time you’ve brought it with you after work,” Rainbow replied, straightening out the envelope. “You don’t mind if I…”

“I swear, on Celestia’s mane, if you open that letter…” Ditzy Doo started, furrowing her brow.

“First off, don’t do that, because you can’t pull off a pissed face with those eyes… Second, what are you going to do? Hit me? I’ve taken swats from adult dragons.”

“I won’t hit you,” Ditzy said through clenched teeth. “But I promise you, you won’t like it.”

“Relax, Derpy,” Rainbow chuckled. “I’m not that much of a—”

“Oof! Pardon me,” a drunken patron said, bumping into Rainbow Dash’s stool.

“Watch where you’re going, you drunk!” Rainbow shouted, shoving the stallion away. The pony stumbled, grabbing for the closest thing he could find. He latched onto Rainbow’s hoof, but she broke away, violently jerking her forearm back. When she pulled away, the letter, still in hoof, tore in two, splitting both the envelope and the contents inside.

“Rainbow!” Ditzy screamed, grabbing for the paper.

“What?! He’s fine!” she replied, waving her hoof at the stumbling stallion.

“Not that! Time Turner’s letter! You ripped it!”

“I what?”

“You ripped his letter, you idiot!” Ditzy grabbed for Rainbow’s chest, but Rainbow leaned back and slapped the other mare’s hooves away.

“Hey, don’t yell at me!”

“You’re always calling me a clutz or a derp, but you’re the stupid jerk that ripped Time Turner’s letter!”

“Chill out, Ditzy! Geez, I’m sorry!”

The two mares went at each other for a little bit, but the bartender split them apart with his magic. He sat them each a stool apart and placed another drink in front of them.

“Cool it, or I’ll have you both thrown out,” he said. “And don’t litter in my bar,” he finished, pointing out the torn paper on the floor. Ditzy leaned down to scoop up the fragments and glared at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow paid her no mind, sipping from her mug as if the whole altercation never even happened.

“So, what’s it say?” she asked then, still refraining from looking at Ditzy. “Might as well, seeing that it’s open.”

Ditzy sighed, setting the two halves on the counter and pushing them towards Rainbow Dash. She took her mug and emptied the glass, setting it down lightly and clearing her throat.

“I’m not going to read it.”

Rainbow scoffed, but grabbed the paper and pieced the halves together. She murmured to herself as she skimmed through its contents, chuckling a little here and there. Ditzy sulked in her stool, sliding her glass back and forth across the counter. She looked through the empty glass and saw her own reflection staring back at her with the same forlorn look that she could imagine Time Turner would have.

“Well, the good news is that you can still flirt with him,” Rainbow said, sliding the letter down to Ditzy. She quickly looked up and eyed the paper. Although a bit hesitant, her hooves grabbed for the sheets and her eyes began to scan the page. “She’s got pretty neat mawwriting,” Rainbow commented, “assuming she ain’t a unicorn.”

Time Turner,

If you are reading this, then it is obvious that I have chosen my answer. My only regret is that you should have to find out through this measly letter. You know I do not like to pour out my feelings in a splatter of fountained ink, but given the circumstances…

Look, I’ll be frank. It was never going to work. We couldn’t have lived the lives we wanted, not with the circumstances presented to us. You obviously had to concentrate on your work, and I needed to separate myself from your bad habits.

Our moment in the sun, our little heated soire, our midnight fling… I fear that was all that was. This moment of respite has cleared my mind and has revealed to me that our feelings, while they may have been genuine for you, they were not the same for me. For this, I am deeply sorry.

I do not wish to hurt you. I do not want to forget you, but sadly, I do not love you. I thank you, Time Turner, and I hope and wish for you the best.

Respectfully,

Lady May Flower

“This is…”

“Kinda sucks, doesn’t it?” Rainbow finished for Ditzy. “Honestly, I feel sorry for the guy. It seems like she really liked him from how delicate she wrote it.”

“What do I do?” Ditzy asked, holding her head in her hooves.

“What do you mean, ‘What do you do?’ It’s not supposed to be any of your business,” Rainbow replied.

“I mean the letter!” Ditzy cried. “Time Turner was supposed to get this today. It says in the first line that if he reads this, then that means they’re done… but he hasn’t read it yet!”

“And you can’t really tell him because—”

“Because then he’ll know I’ve gone through his mail! It would break his trust with me if he found out, and May Flower’s words would break his heart,” Ditzy finished. “Oh! This is such a mess!” Ditzy ruffled her mane and brought her head down onto the counter hard. “Oh, what do I do? What do I do? I just don’t know.”

“Ditzy, relax,” Rainbow Dash said, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “Look, all we gotta do is make it look like the letter got roughed up in the delivery process, and then play it off like we don’t know a thing, yeah?”

“How can you just play this off like nothing’s happened?” Ditzy asked in a half-sob.

“Might be the booze, might be the fact that I don’t really care for the guy, but whatever it is, it doesn’t really matter. All we can do is move forward from this point,” Rainbow replied. Ditzy growled at her. Rainbow growled back. “Look, I’m trying to help you now!”

“I wouldn’t need help if you just minded your own business and let me vent like a normal friend!”

“Minded my own—? You kinda made it my business when you came in here flaunting that letter around and asking for advice!” The bartender cleared his throat, and both mares sidled away from each other slightly. Rainbow coughed. “Sorry, if that’s what you want to hear. I didn’t mean to actually open it… It kind of just happened.”

“I know,” Ditzy said. “I was the dummy who brought it with me. I don’t even know why, I guess I just forgot to take the bag off when I rushed out.”

“Sounds like something you would do.” Rainbow asked for another glass and looked at her friend. She released a long sigh and stroked her mane back. “Still want my help?”

“I don’t know,” Ditzy replied. She rested her head on the counter again and began tracing a circle with her hoof.

“You should just tell him, then, if you want to do the right thing,” Rainbow said, taking a drink. “If you really feel like it’s going to put a wall between you two, then go ahead and tell him.”

“Yeah… maybe that’s… Hey wait! We’re not even together like that! Stop suggesting things!”

“Oh come one, give me the benefit of the doubt this time!” Rainbow groaned. “Quit acting like a dork and just do what you feel is right.”

“What I feel…” Ditzy repeated. “I feel a little tired, to be honest.”

***

“Okay… You can do this, Ditzy,” she said to herself as she fluttered outside of Time Turner’s shop. “It’s no big deal. You’re going to look him straight in the eye, and you’re going to tell him… Like Rainbow Dash said, don’t deviate!” She nodded to herself for a moment before quickly resigning to a furious head shake. “Aah! This is so frustrating!” she cried, pulling on her face.

“Frustrating?” Time Turner asked from behind. Ditzy nearly dropped her entire mail bag.

“T-time Turner?!”

“Hello, Ditzy Doo,” Time Turner said with a smile. “It’s good to see you again… My, you look a little exhausted… are you all right?”

“Oh, erm… I’m fine,” Ditzy said, clearing her throat. Time Turner cocked his head at her.

“Funny, the sun isn’t that bright today, and yet you’re sweating profusely… Are you sure you’re all right? Perhaps you just need a drink?” Ditzy nodded her head real fast and feigned a smile. Time Turner chuckled and walked up to the door of his shop. He fished for his keys in his satchel and began unlocking the door.

“Sorry I’m a little late,” he said then, as Ditzy was silently trying to figure out how to explain the situation to him. “I was just taking a little scenic detour on my way to the shop. I revisited the path we took to the park last night and I actually bought a muffin from Sugarcube Corner for breakfast.”

“O-oh… Th-th-that’s nice,” Ditzy said, not really paying attention.

“Yes, I was hoping to familiarize myself with the rest of the town. It would be nice to give May Flower a tour if she should ever come over.”

“Huh? What?”

“Oh, well, I recently sent a letter to May Flower, I believe you were the one who delivered it actually, just a few days ago,” Time Turner began. “I had asked her, should she come to a decision, that she visit me in Ponyville.”

“That would be… nice,” Ditzy gulped, shifting her hind legs slightly. He opened the shop and allowed her inside, setting his keys on the counter and running the ceiling fan in the lobby. He entered the back of the shop through the small door in the counter and began humming to himself as he prepared for the day.

“I take it you have something to deliver to me, otherwise I’d rather not keep you from your route,” he said suddenly, drawing Ditzy out of her fidgeting daze. She bit her bottom lip and let out a small cry of affirmation.

“J-just a few letters, is all…” she replied, taking a deep breath afterwards.

“Ah, any word on what we discussed earlier?”

“Oh, you mean about… your letter… Umm, a-actually…”

“Ditzy? Are you all right? Your mind seems to be elsewhere at the moment.”

Ditzy straightened up her stance and shook her head. She straightened her mane and fixed her hat, forcing another smile on her face.

“I-it’s nothing, I’m just… hungry right now. I think I have the shakes.” she chuckled.

“Hmm, you should get that checked, perhaps it’s a condition that runs in your family?”

“Maybe,” she replied. She quickly dug her hoof in her mailbag and pulled out a few letters. “Th-this is what I have for you today, Time Turner.”

“Oh, thank you,” he replied, taking the letters and humming to himself. He set them down on the counter and spread them out, one by one. As he was sorting, Ditzy stood there, still fidgeting a little, but unable to draw her eyes away from the papers. Her heart thumped as he got closer and closer to the last envelope in the pile.

“You know, I mentioned you in that letter I sent to her.” He said, moving away before unveiling the final envelope.

“Y-you did?” was all Ditzy could say.

“Yes. I assure you, it was only minimal in exposition, and I think it’ll be wonderful to hear what she thinks. Honestly, I hope she’s not jealous,” he said with a small chuckle.

Ditzy did the same, scolding herself for even still being present. Her urge to take off and just fly was as powerful as her conviction to remain put. She must’ve been trying hard to refrain from bolting, because Time Turner held another concerned expression on his face as he looked at her.

“Okay, I’m no doctor, but now I’m certain you have something ailing you,” he said, trotting over to her. She backed away.

“N-no! I’m fine, really! I’m just… well, you see…”

“You… have something to tell me? What is it, Ditzy? You can tell me, I won’t run my mouth to anyone if it’s secrecy you want.” A sharp pain hit her in the chest, and she could feel her knees beginning to buckle. Sweat dripped off of her head like a cascading waterfall as a billion thoughts ran through her head.

What if he finds out? How will I explain this to him? Why can’t I do this?

She inhaled sharply, startling the stallion. He allowed her some space and she chuckled nervously.

“I... well… I found your missing letter last night, Time Turner,” she managed to finally say.

“Y-you did?” he said suddenly, his mane almost rising as high as his voice fluctuation. “Where is it? Did you give it to me?” Ditzy nodded and motioned with her muzzle to the last few white slips of paper on the counter. Time Turner hurried over to the counter and removed the one on top to retrieve a lightly colored envelope, sealed with a golden crest over the melted wax.

“This…” he began, as he picked the envelope up, “this is it. Thank you, Ditzy!” he cried, tearing into it immediately.

“Yeah, you’re welcome…” she said, looking at the floor. Her heart started to beat in her ears again and the shakes returned. Time Turner read the note, his eyes opened wide and his mouth parted to show his grinning teeth. However, as he read on, his face drooped some, and his eyes relaxed. His shoulders fell as well, and he placed the note face down after finishing it.

“That’s odd,” he said then, shifting his eyes about. “It’s very unlike Mayflower to send me a letter of this nature. Nothing here sounds like anything she would actually say,” he said, looking at Ditzy now. The mare froze, swallowing a lump in her throat.

“W-what does it say?” she asked, tilting her head.

“Well, I guess without delving too far into details, she’s informed me that she’s yet to make a decision…” Time Turner sat on the ground, his head and ears down. “I’m sorry for burdening you with my personal information,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s just… this is very unlike Mayflower.”

“Oh, well… I-I don’t know what to say—”

“No, but I do,” he quickly said, leaping for a scrap of paper. “I’m sorry, my dear, but if I could just get you to leave for a moment.”

“What are you doing?” Ditzy asked, her mind now going multiple places at once.

“I’m replying, what does it look like?” he said. “I’ll need you to deliver this to her, posthaste, seeing as how this letter is already delayed by the postmark.”

“No, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go…” she whined quietly. “He’s not supposed to write back!”

“Are you still here, Ditzy?” Time Turner’s voice rang sharp in her ears.

“L-leaving right now!” she cried, turning for the door.

“Just a moment,” he said, bolting over to her. “Make sure this gets delivered as soon as possible, do you understand, Ditzy?” She nodded. He sighed, scrunching his nose and letting out a small grunt. “I-I’m sorry, but… Just… just deliver and-and-and bring me… Yes,” he stammered out.

“Okay, I got it, Time Turner,” Ditzy said, nodding faster and backing away. She opened the door and spread her wings, ready to pounce into the air.

“Wait!” he called out from inside the building. Ditzy aborted her take-off and peered inside.

“Yes?”

“I know I needn’t say this, but please, Ditzy… keep that confidential. It would mean the world to me if you didn’t see what was on that page.” He gave a smile, or, as best a smile as his contorted face would allow, and waved.

“Alright, Time Turner,” Ditzy called back. She lifted into the sky and flew away, hyperventilating a little before finally regulating her flight. She waited until his little shop vanished behind her and gave a final sigh, using this time to catch her breath. As she soared through the sky, she assaulted herself with a hoof, smacking her forehead repeatedly.

“STUPID! STUPID!” she cried out, a deep pit eating at her gut and heart. Time Turner’s words echoed in her head over and over again, and she couldn’t help but feel worse as they began to set in. The silence of flight ate at her just as much as her regret, giving her more time to think about what she had done. If she got caught, it was over. They were done.

She flew the remainder of her route, delivering her packages and mail in a silent stupor. Those that managed to even greet Ditzy as she did her job were outright ignored, left to wonder at the skewed countenance their local mailmare held. The remainder of the day, she just mumbled to herself, taking the time between deliveries to stare at the letter Time Turner had given her before she departed.

“You’re a fool, Ditzy Doo,” she told herself as she perched atop a cloud in the sky. She fished in her bag and brought out a torn sheet of paper, along with the newly penned letter Time Turner handed to her. She sighed heavily, and with a shaky hoof and a dry mouth, opened the letter. “One more time,” she told herself, already regretting the mistake she was making again. “Just one more letter as Mayflower, I’ll just write what she originally wanted to say!”

She picked up the letter Time Turner had hastily scrawled and skimmed it. A look of shock washed over her face then, and she lowered the sheet slowly, scrunching her face up. “Or not.”