Chronicles of Equestria II: The Magician, the Toy Maker and the Past

‘Off! Finally!’ cheered a gray dot, whizzing over the main square of Ponyville, which was still empty in the early afternoon.

Derpy Hooves, the town’s mailmare has just finished shift, her empty mailbag still flapping on her side in the current of her flight. She could have been off earlier, but Post Haste - the better half of the telegram team - called in sick, which left the pegasus without her one colleague who voluntarily helped her complete the shift-end paperwork. It wasn’t too great a hit to her schedule though, it was just past one, so Dinky was probably still just packing. Ooooh the surprise she planned for her, it’s lucky how Twilight Sparkle gave those pamphlets to the post to scatter, she might not have even heard-

At this moment she spotted the very same librarian walking in the opposite direction below, probably to her library. She should tell Twilight that some important “script” or something arrived from Canterlot. It seemed important and Spike, who greeted her at the door earlier seemed a bit excited about it too. Something about “Cool, there’s a whole bunch of narration at the start!”

Quick on her wits, Derpy leaned to the side mid-flight, not even slowing down and shouted down to the unicorn, trying to focus the sound with her hooves, as best as they possibly can.

‘Hey! Miss Sparkle! There was an important message for you-’ she started but then a thought crossed her mind ‘Isn’t there a dead end here?’.

Just in time, she looked up and realized that she was heading directly at the roof of a furniture store. Luckily, she managed to correct her mistake by pitching up, her hooves tapping the roof, as if she was quite literally stepping over it. Looking back, she saw that the librarian, all though a bit confused waved at her and nodded as she got the message. Onto the School house! Twilight Sparkle was really among the few ponies Derpy liked. Perhaps it would be better to put in like that she didn’t mind being around the librarian or talking to her. Possibly because Twilight was usually very accepting when she made a mistake or another, though Derpy noticed that the library had no book deliveries ever since an incident when she left a package at the library’s doorstep, forgetting that there was rain scheduled for just an hour later; and she also kept a bit quiet after that incident with the heavy packages... But wait, she was thinking about something just a few seconds ago, what was it? Oh yes!

It’s lucky that she got all those pamphlets on her hooves a week earlier about a new Toy Shop opening this week and once old Mr Zippy came back from delivering a package of various gizmos and told her that the shop opens today and is filled with “Wonderful little thingamajigs”, Derpy knew that checking it out with Dinky would be an awesome start to their afternoon.

Reaching the School House, the mare quickly dived down for landing, though she miscalculated a little and had to clumsily trott a few feet on the ground to lose her momentum. Looking in through the window, she saw Cheerilee who seemed to be just about to finish off the class for today. It seems Derpy got here precisely on time. For once.

Waiting by the door for a minute, the pegasus was greeted by the door swinging open harshly. She jumped back and hovered in the air as three fillies rushed off, barely even noticing her, before jumping onto a red wagon and speeding off. Derpy knew those fillies well by reputation, “The Cutie Mark *Somethings*”, always off to some silly self declared errand to get their marks, dismissing the wise words of others and getting into more trouble than the rest of their class together. They weren’t all bad... Probably. But they were definitely no company to her Dinky. The filly didn’t need some vagabonds to drag her into trouble, she needed somepony who loves her and cares for her, and who makes sure she’s happy and not made fun of... Somepony like Derpy herself!

‘Aunt Derpy!’ came a happy tune from the school building and the small blonde filly came trotting out with her small saddle bag bobbing on her back.

‘Dinky!’ the mare greeted her niece happily and quickly swooped down from the air, grabbed her and hugged the small filly in the air. ‘I’ve got the best idea on where we’ll go today!’

‘Would you mind if we’d go someplace first?’ interrupted Dinky before her aunt could finish.

‘Uh...’ Derpy usually had free rein about where they went, without the filly not giving many requests, just happily coming along wherever she took her, so this question took her by surprise. As she looked blankly for a moment, wondering what Dinky could have in mind, her vision blurred as her right eye drifted off to the side. She quickly blinked and realigned her eyes a bit irritated, but then put on a quick smile, looking at the filly. ‘Sure! Where did you want to go?’

‘Oh, it’s great! Miss Cheerilee told us that she heard through Miss Sparkle that today there’ll be a new toy shop opening!’ Dinky started while her aunt carefully put her back on the ground. ‘She also said that Miss Sparkle helped make the toys there and they all have special enchantments and all that sort of things!’

‘Oh?’ Derpy had a mixed feeling of disappointment and surprise, she hoped she could be the one to introduce the new shop, but after all it was the same, mostly. ‘That’s great! I actually wanted to take you there too!’

Dinky was happy to hear that they can go and climbed onto Derpy’s shoulders who landed next to her. Moments later they were already trotting towards the intriguing new shop.

‘It was strange though.’ Dinky noted and Derpy looked up the filly who was using her mane as a pillow. ‘The moment Miss Cheerilee said that the shop’s owner is called Mr Oak... Leaf. Oakleaf. So as soon as she said that, Sweetie Belle,’ Dinky looked down in Derpy’s eyes ‘you know, that white unicorn from my class, so she got excited and said something like “He’s back?”. It was like she already knew him and then her friends got excited too and they rushed off as soon as Cheerilee finished class.’

‘Well, hello!’ came a familiar, Trottingham accent from behind them. Looking back, Derpy recognized Colt Smith, a slightly eccentric stallion she sometimes delivered to. The brown pony, with his usual, swept back mane hurried up behind them. He was wearing a formal, green necktie with a strange, metal stick between it and his neck.

‘Hello.’ Derpy replied. She didn’t know much about Colt Smith, besides him being some sort of author.

‘Excuse me for interrupting like this,’ the stallion began. ‘but I couldn’t help but overhear the mention of the word “Mr. Oakleaf”. Since I was just heading to a new shop sat up by somepony with the same name. I thought I’d check if I this was indeed a happy coincidence!’

‘We were going to that shop too.’ said Dinky nodding. ‘Aren’t you a bit too old for toys though?’

Colt Smith held back a laugh before replying: ‘I firmly believe that when someone grows old enough to be “too old” for anything, the best course of action is reverting back. “There’s no point in being great if you can’t be a little childish.” as my good Doctor would say. Oh, but I must ask, if it’s not an intrusion, Miss Doo was it?’

‘Uhuh! Ditzy Doo.Though everypony calls me Derpy.’ she nodded. She used to hate the name “Derpy”, but since Dinky started using it, it sort of grew on her and she used it mostly everywhere.

‘And I’m Dinky!’ chirped up the filly on her back, who didn’t want to be left out.

‘Colt Smith. A pleasure!’ the stallion smiled at the small pony. ‘I was just curious as to, since you were with the post: Did you ever meet this “Oakleaf” character?’

‘Not really.’ Derpy shook her head. She didn’t want to add that pretty much everything that was to be delivered there was labeled “Handle With Care”, which packages always end up with other couriers one way or another.

‘Well, I should have known.’ Smith said, then, seeing Dinky’s confused look, quickly added. ‘It’s the oddest thing really. I’ve asked around the bit the past few days and it appears he never really spoke to anyone. He spoke with the tailoress not long ago and occasionally exchanged a brief words with a few ponies who ran into him sometimes but usually he’s been locked up in that house of his since it was finished. I just find it rather strange that he would live in such seclusion, especially since he’s opening a shop.’

‘Why are you so curious about him?’

‘Oh, well no real reason I suppose. It’s perhaps that I’ve heard the strangest rumors about this stallion. Lived his whole life in more than far away land, becoming something of a magic expert and dealings with the Princesses. Probably half of it is just made up. Still, being an author I’m always out on the lookout of oddities. Somewhere between looking for a bit of inspiration and poking my nose where it doesn’t belong, I suppose.’ he grinned at the two with a strange, almost searching look in his eyes.

‘You are weird.’ Dinky said bluntly with a curious look.

‘I suppose I am.’ nodded Colt Smith chuckling a bit. ‘Ah, well look at that. Me and my big mouth. I keep on talking and we’re here already!’

Indeed, in front of the three stood a two story, newly built house, just over the door there hung a large, fancy, carved wooden sign which spelled: “Oakleaf’s Toy Emporium ~ Home to all Automaton”. It was somewhat surprising that it was put together in under a month, but even Sugarcube Corner was restored in under three weeks not that long ago, after the ‘dragon incident’. Apart from the unusually quick construction of it, it seemed like a normal house, but Derpy noticed that for some reason the writer is giving the building a concerned look. Smith noticed this and instantly dismissed this look off his face and continued in his previous high spirits.

‘Right after you, Miss.’ he stepped aside to let the gray mare enter. Derpy blushed uncomfortably over the unusual gesture but entered.

The shop was full, but it was empty. A strange phenomenon, but true none-the-less. Its many shelves were filled with small puppets, standing in place like statuettes, motion- and lifeless. Some of these miniature ponies stood up on their hind legs, holding various items, for example one of them held an incredibly small violin, next to it, an eloquently dressed stallion balanced himself on his hind legs and a cane. Further down the row a few ponies in strange, old clothes, ranging from classical gentlecolts to ancient, pre-Equestria noble mares. A few shelves over, there was a small suit of ceremonial armor that may, or may not have had a pony inside it. In a corner shelf, there was a large stack of small boxes upon each other, all closed. Across from the door, behind the counter was a larger wooden platform placed on a desk in the back corner with two very lifelike, but motionless ponies looking at each other blankly. But there was no pony inside and because of this the small, sharp ring of the doorbell filled the room up without competition. Derpy felt her niece grab onto her back a bit more tightly.

‘Uh...’ Derpy started.

‘Hello?!’ Dinky shouted from over Derpy’s head, while Mr Smith made his way into the shop behind them.

‘Well I didn’t expect that.’ he noted. ‘Quite an elusive fellow, not even found in his own shop.’

‘I’m coming!’ came from a door behind the counter and a sound of rapid hoof steps on wood accompanied the declaration. ‘Excuse me.’ came again, just before a teal stallion wearing an old style-ish, rimmed hat has made his way into the shop through the back door, a tea cup levitating before him. ‘I’m late from my first visitors, that is ought to be a lucky omen.’ he noted a bit distrait while placing the cup on the desk, then looked up and smiled at the visitors. ‘But don’t let my rambling distract you. Whatever I can help with, just say the word!... What made you so concerned little miss?’ he finished looking in Derpy’s direction.

The mare felt awkward for a moment then noticed that he wasn’t looking at her, but slightly above her. Turning her eyes up, she noticed that Dinky was looking around darkly, still hanging onto Derpy’s back very tight.

‘Dinky?’ the pegasus said trying to reach the distracted filly.

‘Huh?’ It seemed Dinky just realized that the older stallion was talking to her. ‘It’s just that they are very creepy.’ she said, but Derpy didn’t get what she could mean.

‘Creepy? The toys you mean?’ the teal stallion asked concernedly.

‘Miss Cheerilee said they are enchanted, but they’re just standing there. Like they’re waiting for something... Watching.’ Dinky explained blushing a bit, perhaps sensing how silly it all sounded.

‘Oh?’ the stallion noted then paused. ‘Oh! Why of course! You are very right at that, you know! Thank you!’ he smiled. ‘They do look very ominous and lifeless just lazing there, don’t they? Well, I think they had quite enough time to do just that!’ after finishing the stallion stepped behind the counter and placed his front hooves on it. His horn started glowing a dim shade of teal and he started to slowly tap his right hoof on the counter. After a few moments, the quiet tapping sound started to get louder and louder, not because he was hitting the desk stronger, but because every puppet in the room started ticking to the rhythm.

The first thing to come to life was a set of boxes in one of the corner shelves. They opened up, revealing carved and dressed mares in ballet stances, spinning around to slow melodic music, something Derpy had seen many times. Then, the eloquently dressed stallion started tapping his cane to the desk, before tipping his hat gently with one hoof, and beginning to walk left and right in an almost dance like fashion, following the melody of a song that the small violin player next to him began to play. A strange noise drew Derpy’s eyes upwards and she just noticed the circular tracks around the walls, just under the ceiling, and the model train that puffed smoke while going around it.

‘Impressive!’ noted Colt Smith who was examining a small, doll sized suit of armor’s martial practice very closely. ‘It must have been difficult to design a cog system allowing for such flexibility.’

‘Thank you, though I can’t claim credit for that.’ nodded Oakleaf. ‘I’m just hoping I manage to make them less cree-’ he started but noticed that Dinky already made her way off of Derpy’s back and was closely following the sneaky movements of a small cat which was crawling around its five foot long shelf adventurously. ‘Well, I’m not entirely hopeless!’ he finished, smiling as he saw the scene.

‘You wouldn’t at all mind if I’d ask you just a few question would you?’ asked Smith.

‘Oh, not really I suppose.’ Oakleaf replied surprised by the question.

Seeing how the stallions were busy with each other, Derpy turned to Dinky and joined here crouching at the bottom shelf where the small cat machine was now distrustingly prowling around a toy mouse which was twice its size. As Dinky reached towards the small mechanical pet, the cat jumped away, raising its back and tail ferociously, then - as Dinky stopped - it sat down tilting its head searchingly, before getting distracted by a rogue itch on the piece cloth substituting for its left ear and started scratching it with one of its hind legs, followed by the amazed eyes of the small filly. Derpy couldn’t help but smile at her niece’s reaction. She loved it when Dinky was like this, she loved it when the filly just watched something in silent amazement, there was something very... Earnest in it.

‘...Just asking because it’s difficult not to get intrigued with all these rumors flying around.’ Colt Smith’s voice hit Derpy’s ears.

‘Well, some of it is true, though I’d rather call it “being in the right place at the right time” than anything else.’ came from Oakleaf in a slightly concerned voice. ‘You seem to have done your research on me though, if you don’t mind me saying.’ he added.

‘Oh, well you know how it goes. Or rather, you don’t, I’ve forgotten to introduce myself! Colt Smith, intrigued to make your acquaintance. I’m something of a science fiction writer, so strange tales always catch my attention. I think it’s an understatement that your story of mysterious, far away origins, and ending up in royal court qualifies as a strange tale.’ Smith noted jokingly, though something else was in his voice too, which Derpy couldn’t put her hooves on.

‘That’s a curious coincidence!’ Oakleaf reacted in a lightened tone. ‘I think I came across your books through Miss Twilight Sparkle, the mare who was kind enough to assist me with creating these automatons. You wrote The Impossible Adventures of... of...?’

‘Doctor Whooves.’ finished Smith. ‘Originally it was just “The Doctor”, but my publisher convinced me otherwise. I suspect you didn’t read it then?’

‘Not a word of it I’m afraid, though not for a lack of interest I feel I should add. I just had a straining lack of free time recently. Miss Sparkle told me a great deal about your series though and that strange rod at your neck seems familiar by her descriptions.’ Derpy couldn’t help but look away from the new object of her and Dinky’s collective attention - a clumsy bird attempting to take off from its shelf, while the smaller, harmless, but persistent cat was hanging onto its leg weighing it down. Derpy was curious as to what in Equestria that weird pen thing could be, and thought she might get her answer.

‘Ah, you recognized the Sonic?’ Smith asked in a surprised tone. ‘It’s a replica somepony made for me. Been always a fan of small pieces of technology like this.’ Derpy saw as Smith tilted his head and pushed the rod out from under his tie, holding it up on his hoof. ‘Silly little tinker toy really. Want to know how it works?’

‘Go ahead, by all means!‘ Oakleaf more acknowledging than excitedly.

‘Well, I’ve made the Doctor himself a unicorn for it is obviously simpler that way, but’ Here he placed the rod in his mouth, starting to twist it around and a moment later the room filled with a sharp buzzing noise that made Derpy’s ears twitch and her eyes close uncomfortably vibrating. She had the familiar feeling as if her eyes would fall out if she didn’t keep her eyes closed.

‘Quite a noise it’s making!’ Oakleaf said with a raised voice to which Smith stopped the rod’s buzzing and placed the rod back on his hoof. Derpy forced her eyes open to which they started to roll around on their own and she had to close them again to re-focus, she hated when that happened when she was in public, which was almost always.

‘Ah yes, well it is called a Sonic-screwdriver for a reason, isn’t it?’ chuckled the eccentric earth pony, who didn’t seem at all bothered by the noise made by his weird rod thing’s earhurting skreech. ‘Now it just puts out some random characters here.’ he continued. ‘They don’t mean anything, but if it was real, it would tell the Doctor...’ he paused looking at the rod. His smile melted to a bizarre expression of expressionlessness that Derpy didn’t even know was a possible thing. ‘Some, interesting things... Oh! Sorry, I drifted off, had an idea for my next book you see.’ he quickly apologized, his smile swiftly making its way back onto his muzzle.

‘Are you alright aunt Derpy?’ called out Dinky, and Derpy just realized that she still had her ears shunned back from the noise, quickly she raised them again and smiled at the filly.

‘I’m fine!’ she lied and leapt back to the shelf merrily. The cat disappeared off the shelf somewhere, but before she could look for it, a ringing sound interrupted her thoughts.

‘Come on already! It’s open!’ sounded from the familiar orange pegasus filly standing in the open door of the shop. Seconds later two curious fillies, a yellow earth pony with red mane and a nearly pure white unicorn with puffy mulberry and pale rose mane walked in, looking at the many lively shelves with curiosity.

‘He made this?’ asked the white one and was quickly answered by Oakleaf himself.

‘I did indeed.’ came from him and though he was smiling, his voice sounded a bit tense. ‘Pleasure to see you again. Miss Applebloom, Miss Sweetie Belle and Miss Scootaloo, if I’m not wrong.’ he continued, turning his head to the fillies one by one as he listed the yellow, the orange and the white ones.

‘Hey, no! I’m Scootaloo, and she’s Sweetie Belle!’ Scootaloo protested, offended on being mixed up with the unicorn.

‘My excuses. So, came to look for some interesting toys, gadgets and prank items?’ he replied, smiling and looking at his own hooves.

‘Ahctu’lly...’ Applebloom started.

‘-you came because of the promise I made to you a month ago.’ Oakleaf finished looking at the three of them.

‘You’re good.’ Scootaloo noted.

‘Heh.’ Oakleaf smiled at his hooves again, then looked towards Colt Smith.‘Excuse me for a moment Mr. Smith.’ he said then walked to the fillies. ‘Evidently I’m not good enough, seeing how my last suggestion didn’t work. Remind me, what was it again?’ he asked and turned to one of the nearby shelves, lifting a small music box off it with his magic, which started to play a quiet rhythmic music as he opened it.

‘You told us to look for special things in our homes we did and work off of those.’ Scootaloo replied.

‘Huh, I thought that was a great suggestion. What happened?’ he asked while he closed the box and grabbed a miniature pony which was performing athletic moves from some either little known or made up school of martial arts.

‘Well, first we guessed that my talent could be picture framing, but after we got a lot of supplies but Scootaloo and I accidentally glued ourselves together...’ Sweetie Belle explained blushing a bit, while Oakleaf grinned at the lower shelf. ‘After finding out about it, Rarity kept me home the rest of the day and I had to listen to her talk about how I should learn to use my magic instead of my hooves to make sure these things don’t happen, she also kept mentioning something called a “Ferrora”, but I’m not sure what that had to do with me getting glued.’ Oakleaf just chuckled.

‘Anyway; continued Scootaloo. ‘after that, me and Applebloom went to their farm to look for her talent. We found an old music box Applejack always played for her when she was a filly and to which she would always sing along. We thought maybe we could try singing again to be sure, but Granny Smith heard her singing and got really excited, making us sing stupid songs from like the dark ages that were all...’

‘Hay! They weren’t that bad... I sorta like them.’ Applebloom interrupted.

‘Gah-fine! Let’s just say it didn’t work out.’ Scootaloo finished. ‘So yeah, that’s about it.’

‘We also tried flying the next day.’ noted Sweetie Belle.

‘It didn’t work out.’ Scootaloo said swiftly and simply, sending a dark look at the filly.

‘Ah told you it would be a bad idea. Those big kite things just were’nt meant for dis kind of...’ added Applebloom, but Scootaloo interrupted angrily.

‘Alright, alright! I get it! It’s not like I could have just tested it with my wings though, huh?!’

‘Okay now, hold on.’ Oakleaf shushed them chuckling slightly, while he opened the music box again, which stayed quiet this time, and after a little fiddling fitted the unwilling pony doll inside it and with a dash of bright, teal spell-light, the two were bound, the music starting to play while the pony performed dance like fight moves to the rhythm. ‘I think I know what the problem was, so as an apology for my mistaken suggestion: Here!’ he closed the box and flew it to the fillies’ feet.

‘A music box?’

‘We said we already tried music’ Scootaloo reminded him, groaning.

‘Oh, well, I didn’t fully expect you to try and work off of that. It’s simply a gift. As for an actual suggestion, let’s see.’ The stallion took a few steps up and down by the shelves. ‘I presume you all have idols? Ponies you look up to? Who you want to be like when you grow up?’

‘Uh...huh?’ Applebloom nodded unsurely.

‘Very simple then! Just go ahead and try to do what you like about what they do!’

‘We already tried flying.’ grunted Scootaloo who started to sound really irritated by the useless input.

‘Oh?’ Oakleaf paused for a moment. ‘But so many ponies can fly. I doubt you’d like a single pony for doing what so many do everyday. Maybe it’s how they do it, no? Try and find out why you like what they do and where you can apply it! Will it do for now?’

‘I guess...’ came from Sweetie Belle who sounded disappointed.

‘Just sit around and think. Again.’ came from the impatient pegasus.

‘Well it’s still better than just “find out who you really are”.’ noted Applebloom.

After the three made their less than enthusiastic leave from the shop, Smith suddenly noted:

‘Being a writer, I think I’m supposed to say something along the lines of “I wish I came up with them:” aren’t I?’ he chuckled.

‘Why?’ Oakleaf looked back at the brown pony, yet to shake off the smile he got while talking to the fillies.

‘Well, that right there is one perfect group.’ Smith started. ‘Ignorant, blind, brickheaded even, but honest, determined and innocent at the same time. “At least it’s not just about finding yourself.” As if they didn’t even listen.’ He paused. ‘Not to sound rude of course. I think those six traits are some of the best anyone can have, if they go the right direction with them... And now I just sound stupid calling blindness good. Don’t I?’

‘A little.’ nodded the teal stallion.

‘Well I suppose I just prefer to think of the world as a place where few things are grander than doing something extremely stupid just because it feels good.’ Smith persisted with a smile.

‘Hmph.’ came from Oakleaf in a lowly tone, while he looked away thoughtfully. ‘I’m afraid I just can’t agree with that.’ His voice plummeted, he rather whispered the words than actually spoke them. ‘I know that there must be limits to everything.’

‘Excuse me, did I say something wrong?’ Smith asked.

‘Are you alright?’ reached out Dinky’s high voice and Derpy realized that once again, she was blankly staring at a shelf, with her left eye at least, her right one was locked on the two stallions at the counter. She looked for Dinky to answer, but quickly realized that the filly wasn’t talking to her this time, but to the shop’s owner. The pegasus blushed, realizing that she faded out on her niece and walked up to her, not saying a word.

‘Hm?’ Oakleaf looked back at the small filly and after a moment of silence a half smile appeared on his face. ‘Very kind of you to ask, Miss. No, I just remembered something that happened long ago, nothing anypony should concern themselves with. However, I find myself in an unfair feeling right now. Three little impatient fillies barge in here for but a moment and I give them a gift on the house, yet the kind Miss who took her time to admire my creations and even sparked the idea to make it a bit more lively in here gets nothing? No, I think I just had a thought!’

The impulsive teal stallion made his way behind the counter and locked his eyes at something under the table, while his horn began to glow and small noises started echo from whatever got his attention.

‘Uh, what are you doing?’ asked Derpy curiously, trying to peek over the counter from a distance, but she didn’t see anything.

‘Just getting something ready.’ Oakleaf replied simply then looked up, his horn still glowing. ‘Being the terrible salespony which I am, I feel it only adequate that I give a second gift. This time to your lovely daughter!’

‘Uh...’ Derpy blushed while trying to correct the pony, but Dinky was faster.

‘Niece.’ the filly said smiling at the slight mess up.

‘Niece! Right. Again, my excuses.’ Oakleaf acknowledged while putting his attention back under the counter. After a few seconds his horn stopped glowing and he looked back up. ‘Well then Miss! Before I give this to you, I have a quick question: I understand most everypony around here knows Twilight Sparkle, the librarian, and her dragon assistant?’

‘Uhuh?’ replied Dinky unsurely. Derpy was even more clueless as to how the librarian would come up right now.

‘Well, what might be less of common knowledge is how she met her assistant. It is said, that she received a special test, she had to open a dragon’s egg, and after many attempts and some sort of special event, she finally managed it, earning her place among the best young magicians!’ While he said this, his horn started glowing again and slowly a small egg - perhaps two apples in size - raised from under the counter. ‘She told me how special this moment was for her, and I thought, I might recrea-’ he paused in his speech, looking at the confused but smiling Dinky infront of him who seemed amused by his endless banter. Oakleaf then chuckled at the floor before looking at Colt Smith. ‘You’re the crafter of words here Mr. Smith. I’m really overselling this gift, am I not?’

‘Uh, a tad bit perhaps.’ came the diplomatic answer from the brown stallion, followed by the ringing laughter of the filly who obviously found the indecisive but lighthearted shopkeeper hilarious.

‘Right then! I’m sorry for blather on like this. An old habit that I thought would have died down ages ago. Without further waste of words Miss Dinky, Dinky was it?’

‘Dinky Hooves.’ nodded the amused filly.

‘So without further waste of words, and preferably even less repeats, Miss Hooves, I’d like to give you this egg. Not just any egg, a puzzle egg. Miss Sparkle once suggested it to be a “Puzzlegg” but I’m not very sure on that name.’ With this, he flew the egg down in front of the filly, who examined it closely.

‘What’s in it?’ Derpy asked, watching as her niece walked around the resting egg.

‘Well it really depends on the egg itself, doesn’t it? It could be many things, though so I don’t spark the suspicion of bad memory, let’s just say it’s a surprise!’ he replied.

‘How am I supposed to get it open?’ came from Dinky.

‘Well, Twilight Sparkle didn’t get any guidelines either, so you must do with the slight hint of “magic”. But, I would lie if I’d say it’s impossible that the egg itself might give you a hint later, if you try your hoof- I mean your horn at opening it.’ Oakleaf explained with a mysterious look on his face.

‘What is that sup-’ started Dinky but the teal stallion interrupted.

‘Puzzle! Intrigue! Mystery! Solve it!’ he said, wrinkling his eyebrows but giving off a supportive smile.

‘Um, thank you.’ said Dinky and began to examine the egg again.

Derpy watched her niece circling the egg again, and suddenly she felt really out of place, unsure as what she should do, since she couldn’t possibly understand, let alone help with whatever magic the egg’s puzzle works on.

‘If you don’t mind Miss,’ sounded Oakleaf’s voice, calling to Derpy. ‘we weren’t really introduced. Would just like to get to know my neighbours.

‘Oh.’ she turned to him feeling uneasy but smiled at the stallion nonetheless. ‘I’m, uh. Everypony calls me Derpy. Derpy Hooves.’

‘Oakleaf.’ the teal stallion nodded, returning the unknowingly forced smile. ‘If you don’t mind me noting, you two look very close. I imagine you spend much time with your niece.’

‘Yes. Whenever I can.’ Derpy nodded, somewhat relieved that she wasn’t the topic. ‘Whenever I’m not working.’

‘Surprised you didn’t meet her actually.’ noted Smith. ‘She’s a mailmare after all, and if you don’t shy from me saying so, easily the sweetest of her kind.‘

‘Uh, thank you, but I doubt that.’ Derpy blushed and looked away again, but behind her persistent smile she felt agitated. She wasn’t much of a conversationalist to begin with, but when ponies started to talk about her, let alone say nice things, it just felt unnatural.

‘Honestly, though we really didn’t speak, that little smile outside the kitchen window every other morning and the quiet humming mixed with the mailbox’s creek just gives a certain “this will be a good day” vibe, if you understand what I’m meaning.’ the stallion kept praising her.

Derpy blushed even harder this time. Usually when in public she would just put on a smile like the one on most other ponies, but she just realized that she’s humming when delivering mail. She would always plan the rest of her day at this time, try and figure out what they could do with her niece and that always puts her in nice mood, however the idea that others can hear her humming in this mood sort of felt like they are invading her thoughts, which are for nopony else but her and Dinky. Not like it would be this writer’s fault that she’s humming, it’s just so very awkward.

Hold on. Her plans! She had so good plans for today, or well, sort of good plans. She didn’t think she’d end up in any awkward conversations with strangers when wanting to come here... But she wanted to take Dinky down to the lake anyway and there’s usually no pony there.

‘Actually, we should go.’ she said in an apologetic tone but still not ridding herself of the smile.

The stallions just nodded and bid farewell and she quickly stepped to Dinky who seemed excited learning that they’d go to the lake. “Maybe I can figure this thing out there.” the filly added which caused a slight boon in Derpy’s mood, who was impatient to get back to their solitary day, free of strangers. She placed the filly’s gift in her mailbag and escorted her out. The doorbell rang twice as they left, the stallions’s waned voices returning to their previous conversations from earlier behind the filly and her aunt.

Outside, and with nopony but her beloved niece to keep her company, Derpy felt free again. She flew before Dinky, flapping herself along backwards and started listing things they could do at the lake, and snipping in a few questions about the filly’s day. As she saw how Dinky got more and more into the spirit of things, not even mentioning that silly egg again just chatting on about her day and what’s she learned, Derpy’s earlier forced smile disappeared, leaving place for a real one.

There is no better way to spend a day than alone with one’s best friend in the world.