When Doc left the reception early, he declared in his fancy Trottingham accent, “You were brilliant!" He grabbed me into a strong brief hug, with back pats, that left no doubt that I had been embraced by an earth pony stallion. And as quickly as that, he set off across the town hall’s ramada.

Me? Brilliant?

"Wait, Doc!" When he turned on the steps, I said, "You haven't eaten anything. It's free food. Not only that, it smells good, too.” Mostly, I wanted to ask what he meant by “brilliant.”

Little did I know this meant discoveries about fundamental physics, fixing a time machine, and learning the truth about my special talent.