Letters From a Friend

by moviemaster8510

Rating: everyone
Tags: Romance, Original Character, Slice of Life, Human, Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 24807

A young man forms a long-distance relationship with Twilight Sparkle through a series of letters they send to each other through a magical anomaly.

Toby was looking forward to a very interesting project for his English class: writing to a complete stranger somewhere in the country to learn about them. However, through some anomaly, his letters make their way to Twilight Sparkle, an alicorn princess in the land of Equestria.

Though confused over how this is possible, Toby and Twilight decide to continue writing to each other, getting to learn all about each other and developing a strong friendship through only their written words.

_____________________________

Inspired by the movie Her as well as a short story I read in middle-school, along with a since-deleted story called Pen Pals by user Justin Daniels.

Just something I’d update now and then.

Published 2018-08-02 18:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-04-18 03:06:52 UTC

9/11/15

Twilight,

First of all, no offense taken.

Second of all, no worries on the assignment. I put the original letter in a mailbox near the school, and assuming you didn’t get that one too, I’m going to safely assume it’s getting sent to the right place this time.

Third of all, sorry for the delay. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around this whole thing. Anyways, yes, I printed up a selfie of myself with this next letter. Here’s to hoping that interdimensional postage doesn’t have restrictions on pictures.

Anyways, it’s the weekend where I’m at, and if the weather is going to stay this gorgeous, I may just spend it sitting on my porch. Plus, I’ll have plenty of free time to write to you.

Look forward to your response. Honestly.

Sincerely,
Toby

P.S. Also, if photographs indeed exist where you’re from, I’d like to have one of you, so that i know what and who I’m talking to.

9/12/15

Twilight,

I’m certain that your home is probably far more fantastic than mine (considering who I’m writing to here), but I actually received a text from my friend that we’re going to hang out at Navy Pier before the movie tonight. I guess that means less talking to each other then. Boo hoo. But that means I have an opportunity to take a lot of cool pictures of the city. Hooray!

Actually, while we’re on the subject of texts and pictures, we have these devices called phones, and most of them are small and advanced enough to fit inside of a pocket. The picture of myself that I sent you and the pictures I intend to take of Chicago today are taken with my phone, in fact. And when I say “text,” that means I can send a virtual message to one or more of my friends. They’re kind of like the letters we’re sending to each other, except it isn’t done through magic (or however it’s happening, but if I’m talking to a ~~un~~alicorn on the other side of the universe or some other dimension, I’ll accept magic).

I’ll spare you the boring stuff now. The movie we’re seeing is called The Visit. These kids meet their grandparents for the first time, and the daughter is filming their stay as some kind of personal project. But the grandparents start acting super strangely; I don’t know, it’s a horror movie. I’m sure you have those too right?

Don’t want to feel like I’m rushing you, but if you can get my letter and send a response in the next couple of hours, I should be able to write back one more time before I have to meet up with my friends.

Hope to hear back.

Toby

9/13/15

Just kidding!

I have the book by my bedstand now (so glad to see that whatever you did worked). I actually managed to get through a couple of the stories in there (pretty short, all things considered). I'm not sure if it's just because The Visit's still fresh on my mind or what, but I actually found both those stories to be pretty tame. Although, like I said, I've only read a couple of them. Are there any in particular that you recommend? I mean, if there's one or two stories that are even too spine-chilling to read during the day, which would it (or even they be)?

I also wanted to print off some of the pictures I took today while I was out. It's super early in the morning right now, and I'll probably be sending this letter (along with my gag letter) before I go to bed for you to read tomorrow morning. Don't feel like you owe it to me to spend the day getting pictures of Ponyville to send. I think we'll have more than enough time together for you to send any pictures whenever you feel ready.

Talk to you later.

Toby

9/13/15

Twilight,

I did read The Winds of the Everfree last night, and I just finished The Crimson Countess before I started writing. I will say that the stories are very well written, and they are a bit creepy, but I just don't see myself losing sleep over them. I've attached a summary of The Visit for you to read. It won't really have the same effect as seeing it, or even reading a really well-worded adaptation of it, but hopefully you get a little bit of a sense of how the story works. I didn't write all of it. In fact, I pulled most of it from an online encyclopedia and just added a few more details, but you'll still get the gist.

Also, I forgot to ask, how was your first look at Chicago? More importantly, how does it feel to be the first of your kind to see Chicago? Must make you feel pretty important I would think, right?

Anyways, if it's okay with you, I'd like to continue reading the book you sent me. I should hopefully have read the whole thing cover to cover by the end of the week and I can return it to you.

Toby

Moon 3063, Day 21

Toby,

Okay, you win! Humans win in the horror story department. My goodness, I felt unclean just reading that! I can only imagine what it was like to actually watch it! Sorry it took me so long to respond to there, but I just had to process what I just read. As for the book, you're more than welcome to continue reading it, but I can hardly imagine that there's anything in that book more disturbing than that!

Okay, change of subject. In your last letter, you mentioned an "online" encyclopedia. I mean, I know what an encyclopedia is, but the "online" part threw me. Could you explain that to me?

Oh, and yes, Chicago looks magnificent! It's like a melting pot of architecture! I'm also happy you showed me Navy Pier too. That looks like a wonderful place to visit. I have to imagine that you and your friends had a ton of fun! I'll admit, Chicago looks like a much neater place than Manehattan, but yeah, I'll be sure to prioritize getting some pictures of Ponyville soon. I wanted to take some newer ones, but I may have some old ones lying around the castle that I can send to you in my next letter.

I'm hoping I can write back before it gets too late. Hear from you soon!

Twilight

9/18/15

Twilight,

Hopefully these get to you in time. It is pretty late here. In fact, and I can’t believe I never thought of this, I want to try something tomorrow, but we’ll talk a bit about it tomorrow. In either case, I hope you get some enjoyment out of these. I’ll take a peek at the first few pages of the books you just sent me, and I can only hope that Equestrian history gets somewhat as heavy as ours has (doubt it though).

And Spike, if you’re up to it, I can always get you some young adult stuff. ~~You seem pretty well spoken for~~

It actually never occurred to me how old you guys are, or told you how old I am, for that matter. I’m 19 years old (which is fairly young for a human (most humans live to be in their 70’s or 80’s (wow, I can’t believe we haven’t brushed in any of this yet))), and I’ll be turning 20 in October.

Anyways, I digress. I’ll get you some slightly more mature material from the library and see how you like it.

Talk to you all tomorrow!

Toby

9/19/15

Twilight,

That's really interesting. I won't get too ahead of myself on this one, but perhaps every nine minutes on my end is 12 on yours, which would mean that time passes about fifteen seconds faster per minute on my world. Anyways, I still have a little more time before the library opens, so I can do another test before I head out.

As for this other pony, I mean, Spike's already in on it, so I don't see how bringing another pony in will hurt, especially if she's as friendly as you say. Speaking of, I haven't heard from him in a while. Is Saturday his sleep-in day or something? I mean that's cool if that's the case, but I just want to be sure he's still up to talking.

Anyways, yes, I'm more than ready to hear from another one of your friends. If she's nearby, just don't have her expect to hear right back from me while I'm out.

Thank you,
Toby

P.S.: If you're up to a little more on your plate, I can also send you some science textbooks to share a little history of the planet itself. I figure that's important for history too.

Moon 3063, Day 17

Mr./Mrs. Cray

I apologize in advance, but it seems you have definitely sent a letter to the wrong address. I’d be more than happy to send your letter to your intended recipient in Denver, except I don’t know where in Equestria that might be. In fact, Chicago and Denver don’t show up on any map for any other of the foreign lands on the planet. I’ve never even seen an envelope like the one you’ve sent this letter in before. Regardless, whomever or whatever you might be, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and send this letter on the address that appeared on the envelope as a token of my apologies.

Best wishes,
Twilight Sparkle

9/9/15

To Whomever Receives This,

My name is Toby, and we’re doing this project in my English class where we write letters to another student somewhere in the country, talk about stuff, and study each other’s writing patterns. I would think you’d know this, considering you’re part of the same assignment as me, but in case this letter ends up in the wrong hands, there you go.

Anyway, I live in Chicago, and from what I can tell, you live in Denver. I love Colorado. I remember going a long time ago in middle school, but I was closer to Boulder than Denver. Lovely state still.

Anyways, I look forward to hearing back from you. This should be fun.

Sincerely,
Toby Cray

Moon 3063, Day 18

Mr./Mrs. Cray

Please stop sending me this letter. I’m now beginning to think that you’re just some foal trying to play a prank on me. Please refrain from contacting me again.

Twilight Sparkle

Moon 3063, Day 19

You’re the only one who’s ridiculous here. I guess I should thank you for your mentioning the authorities, as I shall be contacting them the second after I send you this letter. My only hope that when they find you, they, along with your parents, give you a stern talking to so that you don’t pull this juvenile stunt again. Goodbye for what I hope is the final time.

Moon 3063, Day 19

Okay, Mr. Cray,

I must say that I too am alarmed by what is happening. I mailed my last letter hoping to catch the foals I thought were doing this in the act, but as I went to get the letter from my mailbox and give it to the mailpony personally, I saw your letter in its place. I’m certain I didn’t hear anyone go by during that time, so there’s no way it could have been taken unless… Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself, and forgive me for being blunt, but… are you an extra-terrestrial trying to contact me?

Moon 3063, Day 19

Toby,

I thank you for this information, and I must say that sounds like a very fun and interesting assignment. I’m so sorry that whatever’s happening to us is impeding your studies, but you must admit, whatever is happening is nothing short of incredible.

In fact, I want to test something. I’ve never heard of you “humans” before, and am intrigued to know exactly what I’m talking to (and I did mean to use that word, no offense). If you can include some sort of photograph with your next letter, I’d really appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle

P.S. I would very much like to continue writing to you and get to know who I’m talking to.

Moon 3063, Day 19

Dear Toby,

...Wow, I mean, I honestly wasn’t expecting your kind to look like that. Not to say you’re ugly or anything, I’m sure you’re quite handsome for your kind. Either way, this is very good. Not only do I have a good idea of what you look like, but we now know we can send more than just letters to each other. We may have to experiment in the coming days.

As you asked, I have provided a photograph of myself with this letter. Please forgive the lateness of my own letter, it seems ponies don’t have cameras or a photographer as readily available as you humans do.

And as much as I’m looking forward to continuing writing to you, I’d hate to take up your weekend that you could be spending with your friends on your own world. Plus, I do have friends of my own. I hope you understand.

I still look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle

9/12/15

Twilight,

Your picture strangely makes a lot of sense now. I actually shouldn’t say strangely considering your talk of “ponies” and “foals,” but I mean, still.

Woah.

Actually, I’ll get this out of the way right now. We do in fact have ponies on my world, but they don’t have bright, colorful fur, nor do they have unicorn horns or pegasus wings, or both for that matter.

And letters. They definitely don’t write letters.

And since we’re judging each others’ appearances, I just want to say, and please don’t take this the wrong way, you look absolutely adorable. Like seriously, you’re the cutest-looking pony I’ve ever seen.

And don’t worry, I do in fact have friends of my own. In fact, we’re going to see a movie later tonight. I don’t know if you have movies in your world, but if you do, maybe I can share my opinion with you.

Other than that though, my schedule this weekend is totally open. Don’t know what plans you and your friends have yourselves, but know that if you want to talk, I’ll probably be able to reply right away.

Can’t wait to hear from you again.

Toby

Moon 3063, Day 20

Toby,

Accept my apologies again. I've gotten so wrapped up in talking with a human on some faraway world that I've completely forgotten to properly introduce myself. My name is Twilight Sparkle. I am an alicorn (a winged unicorn, if you weren't familiar with the term), and I come from a land called Equestria filled with unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies, and alicorns like myself. I live in the aptly named town of Ponyville, and If I have an opportunity, I'd like to take some photographs of my home to share with you.

And to answer your question, yes, Equestrians do have movies. I can't imagine that they're anything like the movies you have, but I would very much like to hear about the movie you're going to see tonight, and I think it would open ourselves up to another interesting discussion over what our kinds consider entertainment.

And seeing as you're free, as you said, I'd love to see some pictures of where you live. ~~I can hardly imagine that it's anything like Ponyville, but~~

Sorry, forget that. I'm sure your home city is lovely too, and I can hardly wait to see it and hear back from you too.

Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle

P.S.: Your comments about me in your last letter left me quite flushed. I hope you're happy!

Moon 3063, Day 20

Toby,

These phones of yours sound quite incredible. I suppose that if the concept of magic is more practical in recognition to you humans, that must mean that your species is more technologically inclined than us ponies. In any case, I do look forward to see what you'll manage to capture to show me.

As for the movie, that certainly sounds like an interesting premise. I'd like to hear all about it when you get back from it, and perhaps I can share a couple of classic horror tales from our world and we can compare them. Of course, they're merely short stories and campfire tales, but this may allow me to test if we can send larger objects like books and journals to each other. If this works, the possibilities of what we can share amongst one another could be endless!

Anyways, I hope I've caught you before you left to meet up with your friends, and I'll hear back from you later tonight. In the meantime, I'll try and find a good short story collection to let you borrow.

Talk to you later.

Twilight

9/12/15

Twilight,

You couldn't have caught me at a better time. I'm leaving to take the L in just a half hour, and I'll probably be off once I put this letter in the mailbox. Might go around the Loop once and get some good pics there before I meet up with my friends. Depending on what time I get home and how awake I feel, I may not send out another letter until tomorrow morning, but granted you're able to send that book over, I'm going to try and read at least one of those stories before I go to bed tonight.

Even if I do send another letter before I go to sleep, I can't imagine you'll be up yourself to read it, so I'll bid you a good night right here, and we'll continue talking more tomorrow.

Toby

Moon 3063, Day 20

Toby,

Not sure what this “L” or the “Loop” are, but I’m confident that your pictures will explain them well enough.

I already found a really good horror story collection in my library. Feel free to return it whenever, but I’d still like you to be careful with it. It’s a limited-edition copy and it’s pretty valuable. Of course, I’m risking sending this book off through the cosmos or wherever it’s traveling to reach you but

Anyways, if you do get it, please treat it like you would your own books.

Looking forward to hear what you think.

Twilight

Moon 3063, Day 20

Sorry, me again

Just to be sure, I tied my last letter to the book with some twine, and now the book’s gone. Let me know if you got it on your end.

This is so exciting!

9/13/15

Twilight,

I got both of your letters, but there's no book. I'm sorry. As bad as this still sounds, hopefully some neighborhood kids are actually playing a trick this time and took it. There's nothing I can do right now, but I'm going to get up first thing tomorrow morning and go looking for it.

Sorry again,
Toby

Moon 3063, Day 21

Toby,

You need to stop playing with my emotions like that! I nearly died of a heart attack after I read your first letter (though it certainly would be the perfect crime, I'll give you that).

Either way, I'm happy to hear you got the book. As for the scarier stories in it, The Winds of the Everfree is usually a fan favorite, and I remember suffering a few sleepless nights after reading The Crimson Countess for the first time. I don't know if you read either of those, but those are two of my favorites.

What about your movie? How was that? If it's truly as scary as you made it sound (at least, enough to make any story in that book feel tame), it must be pretty suspenseful! I'd love to hear about it. I'll probably never get to see it myself, so spare me no details. I'd like you to tell me everything that happens!

Can hardly wait to read it!

Twilight

9/13/15

Twilight,

So, yeah, no worries on the movie summary. I was actually taking some time to get some homework done for tomorrow, but you know what? Heck with it. I have questions now.

First off, Manehattan? Like, that's literally just a pun off Manhattan, a city on the east side of the country I'm in. I mean, what are the odds? And how even? There's hardly any way that can be a coincidence. I think I still have a workbook from my high school social studies class that I can send you. I'll bookmark the spot and everything. I'm sure your mind will be as blown as mine.

Second, you live in a castle? That's a pretty odd thing to bring up so casually like everyone and their mother lives in one. Yeah, I'm really going to want you to send those pictures over the next time you send a letter. I mean what, did you just buy it for really cheap on the market? Are you a princess or something. Like

Am I actually speaking with the ruler of your country?

~~I'm sorry, but the stuff about "online" anything can wait. This stuff is going to keep me up tonight way more than anything in that book you sent me will (I'll also be sending it back with you on this letter). I mean, I know I'm not old enough yet, but I may need a drink.~~

Toby

P.S. I'm fine. Sorry if I sounded upset or belligerent. But I mean, holy cow, Twilight. That was a lot for me to unpack just there.

P.P.S. Online refers to being on the internet, which is this network system of various, almost countless pieces of information that people all over the world can access. I really don't even know how to describe it without showing you, which is kind of difficult considering, well, you know. I just thought you were owed that much instead of a rant. Sorry again.

P.P.P.S. (last one I swear) I have classes again tomorrow morning, so I won't really get to talk much until later in the afternoon. I don't know what time you get up, but if you can shoot me a letter either tonight or early tomorrow morning, I may be able to write a letter back before I leave. Just wanted to clear that up.

9/14/15

Twilight,

I wasn’t quite sure how how I was going to react to my new friend being literal royalty, or that a “Princess of Friendship” is apparently a thing, but frankly the whole Camelot/Canterlot pun is still the one thing that’s really throwing me about your latest letter. To clarify, Camelot is the kingdom of the King Arthur in legend.

Actually, I lie. I mean, I wasn’t lying when I said your world would probably be a lot more fantastic than mine, but my gosh Twilight. Your world is what really threw me (what I was lying about if you couldn’t pick apart my word salad). I mean, I assume that castle on the cliff must be Canterlot, and my goodness, that must be one heck of a view. And Cloudsdale; do ponies actually live there? How do they live there? I’m certain there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation to that!

Also, your crib isn’t half bad either. Not to insult it or anything, but after Canterlot and Cloudsdale, it can hardly compare. How’d they even build that thing anyway? Or did it grow there? Do crystals actually grow from the ground on your world?

Sorry, I just realized how much I’ve been writing and I need to get to class soon. We’re going to have a lot more to talk about when I get back.

Toby

Moon 3063, Day 22

Toby,

I can attest to how beautiful Canterlot is, as I spent most of my life there, but still, Ponyville is my home, and I’d have it no other way. And funny story about my castle. Equestria was under attack by an evil centaur named Tirek who came very close to stealing all the magic in Equestria, but after my friends and I defeated him using a powerful magic from a key box that had been created by the Elements of Harmony, that same magic created the castle that I currently live in. At least, that’s the condensed version of that story.

I’m sure you’ll have more questions at this point along with those you couldn’t ask this morning. That’s alright, I’ll be more than happy to answer them when you return from class.

Although, I have a question myself. How’s your assignment going? The one you were working on before it got interrupted, I mean. I’d hate to feel like you’re the only one asking questions here.

I still look forward to your reply.

Twilight

P.S. You called me your friend in your last letter. Am I really your friend, Toby?

9/14/15

Twilight,

You’d really allow that? I mean, yes, if you’re super comfortable with it, i would very much like to talk to him, that would be probably the ~~coolest~~ second coolest thing (don’t want you to feel like you’re suddenly second banana to your assistant).

And on my end, I would like to keep this private from my kind, at least for now. I have no idea what the future holds and if we’ll have the capacity to accept you ponies the same way you and I accept each other, but that’s not a jump I feel comfortable making in humanity’s behalf.

I’ll also attach a letter directly addressed to Spike as well. You can give it to him whenever you feel like he’s ready.

Toby

9/14/15

Dear Spike,

If Twilight hasn’t explained it to you already, my name is Toby. I’m a creature called a human from a distant world from yours. Somehow, her and I have been able to contact each other through letters that we leave in our mailboxes. That is, I put my letter in my mailbox, and then it ends up in her mailbox and vice versa.

Neither of us are certain how any of this is possible, and we’ve only been writing regularly for a few days, but Twilight apparently trusts me enough now that she has given me permission to introduce myself to you.

I’m hoping that we become good friends like Twilight and I have in in an equally short amount of time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Toby Cray

Moon 3063, Day 22

Toby,

Of course I would! I’m your friend, am I not? I’ll hand him his letter right after I send mine. He may take a bit to come around to how this is all possible, but I should still be free to write myself.

And I completely understand about you not wanting to disclose our conversations to your kind yet. If there’s one thing I know about friendship, every creature needs their own time to discover it for themselves.

Write to you later.

Twilight

9/14/15

Twilight,

Thanks a lot for that; it means the world to me. And while I would like to keep chatting, I do have some other homework for my other classes that I need to get done. And don’t worry about my class. Teacher came down with bit of a stomach bug. Should be right as rain tomorrow.

One other thing I’d like to ask about is your calendar. I can give you mine to show how our days, months, and years work, and also show you where we are in our time. Maybe you can share a little bit about yours? I know it’s kind of a weird thing to ask considering what we’ve shared so far, but I’d still like to know.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Toby

Moon 3063, Day 22

Toby,

That’s good to hear that it was nothing serious, though I wish them well, even though you don’t exactly have a way to tell them.

I did tell Spike about our letters and plan to show him sending this one. As I expected, he finds this whole thing really far-fetched and is even reluctant about reading your letter, but do give him time; I’m sure he’ll come around to it sooner than later.

Lastly, thanks for the calendar. I find it very interesting how specific and deliberate your calendar looks. We base our calendar and the seasons off the lunar cycle, though I doubt yours works like that. Could you elaborate a bit further about how your calendar and seasons work on your world in your next letter?

Thanks,
Twilight

Moon 3063, Day 23

So “Toby” (or whatever you are),

I don’t want you talking to Twilight anymore, got it? We already have enough weird, dangerous creatures here to deal with in our world, we don’t need to be bringing in ones from another one here!

I can send any of your letters to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and if you don’t leave us alone, you’ll have them to deal with!

I’m a big, scary dragon myself, and you don’t want to mess with me either, so stop it now, and we won’t have problems. Okay?

Good.

Moon 3063, Day 23

Toby,

I haven’t gotten a letter from you this morning. Is everything okay? You must have been busy this morning. I’ll just wait until you get back from class.

Twilight

Moon 3063, Day 23

Toby,

Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry about that! I know Spike can be a bit defensive like that, but still, that was seriously not okay for him to do. The moment after I send this letter, I’m going to have Spike write you back an apology, which I hope to have sent to you tonight.

I do thank you for not getting too angry with either of us, and I’m certain the princesses would be far more upset with me for keeping you a secret from them rather than with you for contacting me, which I’m frankly more concerned about than anything.

Again, I’m very sorry you had to deal with that, and I’m hoping we can continue writing to each other as normal.

Twilight

P.S. I sent you this year’s Equestrian calendar and marked our spot on it. I’m happy to explain more once you’ve taken a look and given me a little insight on your own.

Moon 3063, Day 23

Dear Toby,

This is Spike the dragon. Twilight wanted me to respond to your last letter instead of apologizing to you outright. I guess it would only be fair to say sorry for getting angry at you and trying to scare you from sending your letters.

Twilight had me read through a few of them, and at least from what I read, you don’t sound like that bad of a guy. You also don’t looks that bad from your picture either.

I also read your last letter, and I’m a little confused about your calendar. Like, you don’t control the sun and the moon to make daytime and nighttime? What about seasons (and for that matter, the weather)? Do you at least control that, or is it like the Everfree Forest and it just works on its own?

I’m not as involved in these as Twilight is (obviously), but your world sounds really weird already. Maybe you can fill us in a bit more. I’ll read the rest of your letters and catch up, but yeah, I’d really like to know about that stuff.

From,
Spike

9/16/15

Twilight,

Now that you say it, I am strangely underwhelmed by your explanation for daytime and nighttime. I do have to say that ponies manually controlling their own weather sounds really nifty, ~~although it would just sound like just another thing to do back on our world (though there are plenty of people here who have plenty of time on their hands).~~ Eh, scratch that.

Also, they do make horror stories and books for children on our world. I know you're not asking for them, but I have a couple of R.L. Stine books I've had in my closet for the better part of forever that I'm willing to part with for you and/or Spike to read. Also, Spike, I personally haven't read many comics for years now, but we certainly have superhero movies up the wazoo. I can pick you up a few issues on my way home from class; there's a comic book and gaming store en route to and from class, and they always have good selections.

I am probably going to be in bed by the time I send this letter, so I'll talk to both of you in the morning.

Toby

P.S. Hmph. Big, scary dragon indeed...

Moon 3063, Day 24

Toby,

I thank you for these books. I'm sure Spike will love them (though he'll just tell you on the bottom half of this letter). I think I'll just take a break from human horror for a while. I also wanted to touch back up. Have you gotten a reply back from your writing partner yet? I know you said you wouldn't expect a response right away, but now it's gotten me thinking: what is the purpose for this assignment anyway? And come to think of it, what are you going to school for anyways? What are you trying to do when you graduate.

I hope I'm not getting to nosy and trying to badger your for personal information. You can answer whatever questions you feel comfortable answering. Good night.

Twilight

________________________________________________

Hey Toby,

Thanks a lot for these books. They look awesome! I can't wait to read them! Also, thanks a bunch in advance for getting those comic books! Now that you say it, I still have the first few issues of Power Ponies up in my room that I'll let you borrow too. I mean, it's only fair, right? And don't worry, I tested them to make sure they weren't, let's just say, interactive. It's a pretty long story.

Anyways, I'll hear from you in the morning.

From,
Spike

P.S. For your information, I was a big, scary dragon once, though that's kind of a long story too.

Moon 3063, Day 25

Toby,

I think that sounds wonderful! Do you by chance have any works of yours you'd like to share with me? No problem if you're not comfortable yet, I just thought I'd ask. And just for giggles, I skimmed through one of those Goosebumps books you sent for Spike last night, and I have to say, those are definitely suitable for a child Spike's age. Not to sound picky, but you wouldn't by chance have something that's perhaps a bit more mature to share? Doesn't necessarily need to be horror either, just... I'd still like to read more things from your world is all.

Twilight

________________________________________________

Hey Toby,

I just got started on The Werewolf of Fever Swamp, and I'm hooked already! Thanks a whole bunch! I tend to do my part around the castle myself, so I don't know when I'll be finished to send it back to you, but I still appreciate you lending those books to me. You'll have to tell me how the Power Ponies are! I can hardly wait to see your reaction already! Hope your classes ~~go~~ went well today.

Spike

Moon 3063, Day 25

Toby,

I do wish you'd use regular bookmarks (I absolutely hate seeing folded corners of pages like that). I mean, your copy looks a little worse for wear itself, but still, please do treat it with a little extra care. Either way, thank you for the book. I see you do have quite a few stories in here marked, but I'm having trouble deciding. If you could pick your favorite out of all of these, which would you recommend? I also have to imagine this is the last letter you'll see from us today, so I'll let you know what I think and give you any questions I have after reading it.

Thank you again.

Twilight

________________________________________________

Hey Toby,

No worries on the comics thing. I'm not done with that first Goosebumps book you sent me yet, so go ahead and take your time. Still really enjoying the book you sent me.

Spike

9/17/15

Twilight,

If I had to pick my favorite story out of the ones I sent you, I'd have to go with Crouch End. Like I said, these stories are a LOT more mature than the ones I sent Spike (no offense, Spike), and it has some very colorful language and locations that you may or may not be familiar with. Either way, send me a separate note with your next letter with any words or phrases that either confused you or you want to know more about.

Also, Spike, I just read both issues you sent me cover to cover. They're certainly fun, and the characters do share quite a few similarities with some heroes from our comics too. I'm definitely going to make a point to stop at the comics store tomorrow, you can hold me to that this time.

Have a good night, you two.

Toby

9/17/15

Spike,

You may have to brew Twilight some coffee or some tea tomorrow morning, because I just done pranked her good!

Toby

P.S. And Twilight, if you're reading this, my sincerest apologies for your nightmares tonight.

Moon 3063, Day 25

Toby,

Thanks so much! I'll get started on it right away! You have a good night now!

Twilight

________________________________________________

Hey Toby,

That's good! I can send you more P.P. (Power Ponies) issues if you want! I have a whole box of them up in my room. I'm almost done with that first book you sent me, and I should let you know how it is tomorrow morning!

Spike

P.S. I also have some words I wanted to ask you about that I didn't quite understand. I'll send you a separate note with this.

P.P.S. Twilight doesn't suspect a thing! She just assumes you wanted to send me a private letter before going to bed. Did you recommend a really scary story to her? If so, nice.

9/18/15

Twilight,

I’m super happy that you enjoyed it. I’d perhaps like to call it a second best case scenario. Personally, I always found The End of the Whole Mess to be my favorite ending to one of his stories. Those last two pages...

*this is where I shudder, but you obviously can’t see that, so there*

Anyways, I’d be more than happy to lend you more of his books, although, I do have some Poe and Lovecraft in my collection as well. Those stories were written long before Stephen King was even born, so they may be a little easier for you to understand, but they were undeniably huge inspirations for King. I have a couple collections of both their works I can send you.

Of course, if you still have questions, don’t hesitate to ask me, and I can work on the ones you just sent me.

Sorry Spike, better luck next time.

Toby

P.S. I have my trip to the comic store scheduled. I shouldn’t forget this time. See you after class.

Moon 3063, Day 26

Toby,

Thank you again so much, though I’ll probably finish up with the book you sent me first! And as much as I do enjoy these horror stories, perhaps you wouldn’t mind sharing stuff from other genres. I do love a good adventure story now and again, or maybe something a little ~~romant~~ romantic (don't get any weird ideas, you know what I mean).

Yay for the weekend!

Twilight

________________________________________________

Hey Toby,

Sorry your prank didn’t work out, but Twilight’s really happy right now, so that’s good! Anyways, I finished up that Goosebumps book, and I really liked that too! Not to put more on your plate or anything, but maybe you can get me some non-~~scary~~horror books too? Your worlds authors are pretty talented.

Thanks,
Spike

Moon 3063, Day 26

Toby,

That would actually be wonderful! In fact, I can lend you a couple of Equestrian history books of my own! I’m almost done with Nightmares and Dreamscapes now, and if there are works by this author that require a more experienced knowledge of your world (especially if they’re his opuses), I’d be more than happy to do a little extra legwork!

Not to be pushy, but if you could send me those before you go to bed tonight, that would be great. Looking forward to learning more!

Twilight

________________________________________________

Hey Toby,

Thanks a whole bunch for the comics, they look really cool! Also, thanks in advance for the library trip tomorrow! I’ll try not to be too picky, but I’m not into that mushy stuff like Twilight is. Perhaps something like Power Ponies? But in not-book form?

Actually, sorry, I’m sure I’ll like whatever you get me! Thanks again, bud!

Spike

Moon 3063, Day 26

Toby,

Yes, thank you for that. I myself am twenty-two years of age, and my birthday is the fifteenth day of the third moon of the year. Spike is about six years younger than I am, and he was hatched on the seventeenth day of the eighth moon of the year. From what you told me, it seems that us ponies have longer lifespans of about ten to twenty years.

Come to think of it, according to the calendar you sent and marked up for me, your birthday is next month. What day does your birthday fall on? I’d be more than happy to send you something.

Anyways, Spike is asleep already, and I’ll be off to bed soon myself. I’ll get in a chapter or two of the books you sent me before I go to sleep (and I do mean it this time (I’ve hardly slept ever since I opened up Nightmares and Dreamscapes)). And yes, I’m more than willing to try something with you tomorrow. Tell me what you have in mind and I’ll do so to the best of my ability.

Thanks again,
Twilight

9/19/15

Twilight,

My birthday is on the 25th. You don’t need to do anything big; a simple happy birthday wish would be plenty.

Anyways, so here’s what I plan to do. The second I put this letter in my mailbox, I’m going to start a timer. Then I’m going to wait and see how long it takes before the letter disappears and presumably ends up in your world. I’ve got a few hours yet until the library opens, so I don’t mind waiting around if it takes longer than expected.

I’ll probably send another letter right when I notice it’s gone telling you the time it took, so you’ll probably get two letters.

Actually, what am I saying? That’s not important. You’ll know when you know. So here goes.

Toby

9/19/15

Okay, I just sat out on the porch to maybe see or hear something out of the ordinary too. Sure enough, I heard some really weird pop and a burst of light come from my mailbox. I went back and checked and the letter was gone. I wasn't prepared for anything, but I subtracted the time it took to go to my mailbox and check on the letter out from when I actually stopped the timer. It looks like it took about nine minutes and fifteen seconds.

I may do this a couple more times to get an average time, but yeah, at least it doesn't take long.

Neat. It's still a bit early yet, but if you respond quickly enough, I may be able to read and write one more letter before the library opens.

Moon 3063, Day 27

Toby,

That's actually a very good idea, and I'm surprised I haven't thought of something similar sooner. I'll also conduct the experiment on my end and see if we get different times. Maybe time flows differently on each others worlds, so it would be worth a check.

I've also taken the liberty to read your history books simultaneously so that I'm getting a sense of everything that happened in the same timeframe, but so far there's nothing extremely abject in here yet. Then again, I'm only at the more primitive beginnings of humanity right now, but I'll still be cautious for when some of the harsher material rears its head.

Hopefully whatever you bring back from the library will help take my mind off of it (or provide better context for whatever I do read!). Either way, I'm certain I'll still enjoy it.

Twilight

P.S. We may have to bring another pony in on this very soon. I'll have her explain herself on your permission, but you shouldn't need to worry. She's probably even friendlier than I am, and I'm sure you'll love her all the same.

Moon 3063, Day 27

My letter didn't take long to disappear either, but mine took twelve minutes and eleven seconds. Let's keep this up and see where we get with this.

9/19/15

Eight minutes and forty seconds this time.

9/19/15

Pinkie Pie,

What impeccable timing. I was just heading up the driveway when I saw your letter poof into my mailbox. And, yes, humans do love cake especially on their birthdays, and I thank you very much for the offer. I don’t want you to go through too much trouble for me though. If you just made me a single cupcake, I’d be perfectly happy and appreciative of just that.

And I’m sorry that you couldn’t get to me before I left. If you like throwing parties, if your letter is any indicator, I do have a couple of interesting cookbooks you may enjoy. One’s all about baking, and then there’s this one that my sister got me as a joke for cocktails and other drinks. I don’t know how well ponies take to alcohol, but there are a few punch recipes that you could probably make without it.

Next time I go to the library, I’ll be sure to keep you in mind, so let me know anything you’d like me to pick up.

Twilight, I did get you some Jane Austen (always a classic), but something that I remembered that I thought you’d actually love that I remember loving reading is A Wrinkle in Time. It was several years ago that I read it, so I can’t say for certain whether it holds up, but there’s a lot in here that I thought would greatly interest you.

And Spike, I took the liberty of also going a little classical and got you A Princess of Mars. It’s a bit more sci-fi than anything, but a lot of our comic book superheroes were greatly inspired by this book, and I think it would be perfect for someone like you.

I’ll ask for your progress on each book so I can know whether I need to renew it or not. I can take books out for three weeks at a time and renew them for another three weeks up to two times granted they’re not put on hold by someone else. Of course, this only applies to Twilight and Spike, as I own the books I’m lending Pinkie Pie.

In any case, do enjoy them.
Toby

P. S.: So three of you are already in on my existence. At what point should we start letting more of your friends in on it?

9/19/15

Oh, and that last letter took eight minutes and fifty-one seconds to go on its way.

Thought I’d let you know.

9/19/15

Twilight,

Thank you for your offer, but I’d much prefer we take it one leaked or overlooked letter at a time as far as more of your friends are concerned. That, or whenever I feel ready to move on on my own time. Anyways, I’m sending those science books over to you with this letter. I have a feeling you’ll thoroughly enjoy them more than my history books.

Also, Pinkie Pie, the “joke” of my book relates to my sister thinking that because I’m going to college means that I’m going to be throwing wild college-style parties of my own. Please don’t get me wrong, I do love parties, and I love the idea of college-style parties, but people generally stoned and whacked out of their mind on cheap, tasteless beer and store-brand vodka is not my idea of a party.

Sorry, that’s kind of a weird thing to respond to you on, but I thought I’d give you a little context.

Until then,
Toby

9/19/15

Twilight,

I finally got a letter! My on-Earth pen-pal responded and I just saw her letter as I was dropping my last letter to you guys! Her name is Sara, and she apparently loves horror stories and movies like I do and wants to write her own one day!

Oh my gosh, this is actually happening and I can’t be more excited! Sorry if I take a while with responding to your next letter today; I just want to write a novella-length response back to her and I can’t wait, even as I write this!

If I don’t write back, I’ll talk with you tomorrow.

Toby

Moon 3063, Day 28

Hey Toby,

I know you haven’t responded to our last letter yet, but I still wanted to write. So I got much farther along in your textbooks, and I have to say, slavery seems to play a major part in the whole of human history. Don’t get me wrong, slavery has played a part in Equestrian history too, but the most recent instances of it were over six centuries ago. We’re nearing the 20th century in your American history book and your country is already at war with itself over the issue.

I have to imagine your society has progressed since then, but I still want to say, the fact that these things have happened so relatively recently is just really disconcerting.

Now, I have no reason to believe that you support any of humanity’s past atrocities, and I’d still very much like to continue writing with you, but I want to ask one question before I continue reading on.

Does it get worse from here?

Just answer me that much at least. I hope your letter to your other pen pal is going great. Talk to you later.

Twilight

9/20/15

Twilight,

It unfortunately does get worse from there. I know it wouldn’t be fair to you (and it certainly wouldn’t be fair to the countless casualties of the next hundred and fifty years) to sugarcoat this fact.

Just to prep you for what’s ahead, there’s going to be two globe-spanning wars, an attempted genocide, a nearly half-century arms race that could have spelled the literal end of the world, groups of people fighting and dying for their basic human rights, and honestly just a slew of other things that I can hardly fit in this letter.

If your next question is how are things today for my world, all I can truly say at that point is better. Better than they were before, but still a long ways to go from ideal.

I’m certain the textbooks can clue you in on all of this better than I could, but our cultural climate that stemmed from the parts of our history you still have yet to read are precisely why I’m wary about sharing your existence with others of my kind. I can hope in the hopefully-near future, we’ll have matured as a species to be welcome you ponies as warmly as we’ve welcomed each other, and ultimately, I’d like to think most humans are just like me and want to make peace and friendship, but it’s clearly not a risk I’m willing to take just yet.

~~If this letter scared you at all, you’re more than welcome to stop where you are and save yourself something far more horrifying than Stephen King could pen up.~~

I don’t mean to scare you, especially out of our writing to each other, but I feel that, as your friend, and as a somewhat ambassador to my kind, I owe you as much of the truth as you’re willing to handle.

I really do hope to continue writing to you, Twilight, and I hope you can forgive me if this letter or anything else you read that I’ve sent hurts you. Please know I’d never want that for you.

Sincerely,
Toby

P. S. I was just about to put this letter in an envelope when I stopped and thought I could end it on a more positive, so I’ll let the words of another do that instead (and you’ll learn about him soon enough down the road too).

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it—always."

— Mahatma Gandhi

Author's Note

Hey everyone, so sorry about the sheer lack of activity on this story. I’ve currently been roughing through a part in my other ongoing story that had been getting a bit monotonous, and I wanted to finish that off before I got back into this. I’m still working on the other story rather extensively (especially that it’s almost 90% to completion at this point), but the hardest part of it seems to have been finished up, so I hope to put some time into this story more a little more often now.

Thanks for your patience after such a dramatic pause.

Moon 3063, Day 28

Toby,

Thank you so very much for that, and that quote was a beautiful way to conclude that letter, so again, thank you for telling me this. And don't think that what I read is going to permanently stain my opinions of you humans; as the Princess of Friendship, it is my duty and my nature to see and cultivate the good in us all. Besides, I'm certain that for every Caligula and Vlad the Impaler, there will be at least as many Mahatma Ghandis against them.

Plus, my letters were sent to you at random, and if you're the human they were sent to, I'd have to imagine that humanity in its current state can't be that bad.

I'm hoping to finish your textbooks before tomorrow morning, and Spike should be finishing up A Princess of Mars as I write. Don't be surprised if you get Spike's take on it before the end of the day. I don't know what your schedule is for the rest of the day (I know weekends are your days off, but once again, don't feel like you need to spend all that time on me and ~~my~~ our other friends), so in case you're busy with school work, I'll talk to you later.

Sincerely,
Twilight

9/20/15

Twilight,

Thank goodness for that. Say, how’s about we try and leave politics out of our letters once you’re done with those books from that point on (unless, of course, it’s super relevant to something else you read and you’d like to talk about it). I just think it might save us both a lot of heartache.

And thanks for taking my studies into consideration. As a matter of fact, yes, I do have a bit to work on today before class tomorrow, so I’ll get right to that, but if I have time tonight, I’ll try and write back a response before we both go to bed tonight.

Hopefully, I can write back.

Sincerely,
Toby

P.S. Once Spike’s done with it, you can hold onto Princess of Mars if you’re curious about reading it. I don’t know how you are about action-adventure books, but you may like this one.

Moon 3063, Day 28

Toby,

Thank you so much for that. I too would like to save such, how do you say, controversial topics behind us for the time being. I much prefer talking about literature and stories anyways. Although (and if this falls under politics, just let me have this last say and then we can wipe our hooves/hands of this), I do remember you talking about a couple of Stephen King books that you said would be better once I learned more about your species' history. If it's not too much trouble, would you mind sending me those books sometime tomorrow?

Like I said, I should be done with these textbooks by then. I know you've already given me a bunch to read, and I'll happily give you back your library books if you feel nervous about me reading them before they're due. Although, what do you think? Should I just go ahead with the books you gave me? I'll be happy to read whatever, but now I'm even more anxious to read those other books now that I remembered about them.

Sorry, no pressure. Just give me whatever suggestion you recommend.

Sincerely,
Twilight

Moon 3063, Day 28

Hey Toby,

I finally just finished that book. I liked it, but it was a little wordy for me. Honestly, a lot of my time was spent trying to understand the way he worded things. Like I mean, none of the words looked too unfamiliar, or at least, looked like they could only come from your world, but this seems more like a book Twilight would dig more than me.

I don't want to sound like I'm insulting you or your books, but perhaps the next one you send me can be a happy medium between Goosebumps and Princess of Mars? Sorry again, but thanks for everything you're doing anyway, Toby!

From,
Spike

9/20/15

Twilight,

Just under the wire, but I'm back. I'll definitely be going to bed after this letter; end of the weekend's getting me down or something. As for those books, you can go ahead and read those Jane Austens and A Wrinkle in Time if you like. If I renew them close to when they're due, you should be able to have them for about two months, and considering all you've read since we've met, I doubt you'll need that much time. However, now that I'm thinking about it, maybe Spike would dig A Wrinkle in Time. He can read that while you read the Austens. It would sure save me another trip to the library for him.

Although, now that I'm thinking about it while my eyes are fighting to stay half-open, are there any other topics you'd like to know about? I'd hate to think that books are the only things we have between us. Not that I don't enjoy talking to you about them, but, ~~I mean~~ ~~you know~~

I'm sorry, I'm practically writing word salad at this point. I'll write back when I've had some sleep. Sorry for an awkward ending.

Sincerely,
Toby

P.S. Spike, give Wrinkle in Time a shot. I think that may be the "happy medium" you're looking for.

Moon 3063, Day 29

I’m truly at a loss for words. I didn’t mean to, but I could see that slashed ‘L’ under the ink and...

Toby, do you really love me?

9/21/15

Twilight,

I’m so, so sorry! I had to run back home and say something. I know I may end up missing most of my afternoon class, if not all of it, but I don’t care. ~~I wasn’t really thinking straight this morning, and I caught myself at the L, but I didn’t want to rewrite my whole letter because I needed to get to class so I just sharpied it out~~

I don’t want you to think of me as some kind of weirdo, Twilight, but I don’t want to make excuses or lie to you either. I do have feelings for you that I haven’t felt about anyone before, and I’m truly sorry that I gave that away before I could even begin to know if you even remotely had the same feelings for me.

The truth is, I’m not just disappointed that I can’t just speak with you; it actually frustrates me. You’re one of the most special things that has ever come into my life, and it pains me that I have such little time and space to share everything I love with you.

As much as I don’t want this to alter our friendship, I’m afraid it very much has. Of course I want to continue writing, but I don’t want to force you to if you’re no longer comfortable. No matter how you respond, know that I value your friendship above all else, and I thank you so much for letting me into your life as well.

Sinc

Love,
Toby

9/23/15

Dear Twilight,

I never said it in my last letter, and I certainly should have said it earlier, but I’m sorry if I came on a little too strongly. I do enjoy hearing from you, and to not sound any more like a broken record, I want to keep writing to you.

And after taking a couple of days to think about this as promised, I have decided that I’m willing to share my existence with your princesses. I don’t know what steps I’ll need to take next, but I’m certain that will come in due time, and I’m willing to do whatever I need to do.

But yeah, here’s my stamp of approval! Even as I write this letter, I feel a lot better about this. Thanks again for this, Twilight, and I certainly hope I won’t be more trouble than I’m worth, so to speak.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Toby

Moon 3064, Day 1

Dear Toby,

Thank you for your patience and your response. I’m certain the princesses will love to get to know you as much as I have. I’m sending them a letter to meet me at my castle to explain things shortly after I send this letter to you. I’d like you to expect a response from them no later than tomorrow morning. I’ll also make sure they’re aware of your class schedule so as not to expect a very prompt response, but they’re very kind and understanding. You shouldn’t have to worry.

Of course, we can continue writing to each other the same way we have been until we receive our journals from the princesses. I know it’s still not ideal, but hopefully, we’ll be writing back and forth to each other much easier in no time!

I’ll hear from you.

Sincerely,
Twilight

9/23/15

Hello Princess Celestia,

First off, it’s an honor to get a letter from you, though I should have expected it at this point. And I’d also like to thank you (and presumably your sister) for being open-minded about humanity. You obviously haven’t had much time to acclimate yourselves to our kind as Twilight has, but it gives me great security to know that you think as highly of us as she does.

I know I’m sending this letter late in the evening, but I got your letter (and my textbooks) and I just couldn’t wait until morning to send my response. I don’t know how you plan to use my signature (like if you plan on attaching this letter to whatever contract there is, or if you can some how extract and attach it to the contract with your magic), but in either case, I plan to send it to you on a separate paper.

I don’t expect a response (or the journal) any sooner than you stated in your letter, but I’m still very excited to get to do this. Thank you so very much again.

Sincerely,
Toby Cray

Moon 3064, Day 2

Dear Toby Cray,

This is Princess Luna writing on behalf of Princess Celestia. I handle her royal matters during the nighttime and Twilight happened to be up to receive your next letter and send it to me. I would even say she expected a prompt response to send my way, but I digress.

You have provided your signature as charged, and as such, I shall grant Twilight both journals to provide you with one as well. I predict she is still awake and awaiting delivery on my end so that you may have your journal by the time you awaken and go to your classes tomorrow morning.

My sister and I wish you two the best.

Sincerely,
Princess Luna

9/24/15

Dear Princess Celestia/Luna

I have received both your ~~latter~~ letter and the journal. Sorry for the spelling error, you can only assume how excited I am right now! I understand that this part of our business is over, but if you need anything from me, don’t hesitate to write back.

Thank you, thank you. Thank you again. I’m so looking forward to today now.

Sincerely,
Toby Cray

9/24/15-Moon 3064, Day 2

Testing.

Testing?

Ground control to Major Twi?

Are these even working?

Hey, Toby! I see you clear as crystal on my end! Also, Major Twi?

It's from a song. Anyways, how are you this morning? Sleep in?

As a matter of fact, I did. Was up later than normal making sure you got your journal safe and sound, which you clearly do. Also, I feel fine this morning. You're writing to me later than normal yourself. No classes today, or what happened?

Oh no, I'm in my classroom right now. Now that I don't need my mailbox anymore, I can write to you whenever I feel like it. Class starts in a few minutes, but I can use this anywhere, anytime!

That's great, Toby! I'd hate to cut our chat short, but you should probably get ready for class.

Yeah, I suppose I should. Would hate for some Nosy Nancy to peer around on my desk and find words popping up in a book all on their own. But hey, my class gets out a little before noon (about three hours my time). I should have about an hour before my next class starts and can find somewhere nice and private. Want to keep talking then?

We'll have to see about that. I'm meeting some friends for lunch myself, and I'm not entirely sure if I'll be back before then, but I'll bring my journal just in case. Maybe they'll show up late and I'll have some time to write, or who knows? Maybe they'll have caught wind of my meeting with Celestia and Luna yesterday and have questions. If they do, you don't mind me telling them about you, do you?

Not at all, Twilight. You told me that I shouldn't be expected for our friendship to remain as private as it has been, and if that means your other friends are interested in knowing about me, I say feel free to.

Thank you, Toby. However, I won't necessarily push it on them either. If they find out on their own like Pinkie Pie did, I'll be sure to tell them, but if they don't know, they won't. Is that okay with you?

Sounds just fine with me. K gotta go by

9/24/15-Moon 3064, Day 2

Toby, it’s about 11:30 in the morning my time, and I’m at a table at a café. I told my friends to meet me at noon, so whenever you’re done with class, I’m ready to talk to you.

It’s about 11:45 now. I do imagine that any of my friends could be coming any minute, so

Sorry, Twilight. Was looking for a quiet place to sit down, write, and eat my own lunch. Who would have thought that college students like to eat lunch around lunchtime?!

Very funny. But yes, it’s good to be able to talk with you again. How was class?

You see? These are the conversations I like to have! But to answer your question, class was fine. We’re pretty much right at the beginning of the semester and in the home stretch to the weekend, so it does feel like a little bit of a grind.

What class did you just get out of?

Philosophy II. I could waste our time boring you with the details, or I can lend you my textbook over the weekend if you’re willing.

That’s quite alright, Toby, but I’ve actually finally been able to get to those books you got me from the library, and I’m just in love with them! It’s wonderful to know there are just as esteemed female writers on your world as well.

And I’m happy you’re getting enjoyment out of them. And of course don’t hesitate to ask for more books when you’re done with those. Or hey, do you like theater?

I very much do when I’m able, but I can’t see how you would

Oh, I see now. I’m sure the scripts for those are available to read, and if that’s true, yes, I’d love to get a taste of your species’ thespian talents!

I have a couple of scripts leftover from my high school days if you’d like to start with those, or if you’re more interested in a particular kind of play, I’m sure they have those at the library too.

Thank you so much again! I’m still about halfway through the first of the books you sent me, but I should have some time ov

Twilight? Is one of your friends there?

Seriously, it’s kind of impossible to see what’s going on on your end, so what

Sorry, Toby, Pinkie Pie just arrived with my friend Rarity. Rarity just saw you ask if one of my friends just came, and Pinkie Pie kind of blurted out everything.

Huh

Sorry. Like I said, no worries. I mean, if she’s still here, maybe I can introduce myself.

Rarity, my name is Toby Cray. There’s a lot of story between Twilight and I, so I’ll summarize as best as I can. Our mailboxes began sending our letters to each other on our respective worlds (yes, you read that correctly), and so we’ve just been pen pals, for lack of a better term (actually that’s exactly sorry rambling).

We’ve been exchanging books and stories with each other and getting to know a little bit about each other and our worlds, but our (or I should say my) schedule made our writing a bit inconvenient for ourselves, so we chose to reveal my existence to the Princesses, and so they sanctioned us these journals and now we can write to each other the same way I’m doing now, and so we beat on, boats against the current and all that jazz.

Oh yeah, and Spike and Pinkie Pie know about me to (Pinkie clearly).

Hi, Toby! It’s Pinkie Pie. Rarity’s still trying to take your whole extra-terrestrial existence in, but how are you, pal?

Doing great, Pinkie! How are you liking those books I got you?

I really really really really really really really really really really really really

Oops, sorry! I like them a whole lot! I actually used a couple of the recipes in the baking cookbook for Sugarcube Corner (it’s the bakery and candy shop where I work (and I just realized I never told you about where I worked)), and they were a tremendous hit with the customers! Thanks so much again! I even threw a couple of parties just so I could make some of those punches in the drink book you sent me too!

That’s wonderful to hear, Pinkie. How’s Rarity doing?

Better. Oh, hey, while I have you on the horn, would you like me to give you your books back?

Are you sure? There’s no real rush for you to send them back to me

Oh, that’s quitey alrighty! I actually copied down every recipe in both books!

Really? How long did that take you?

Oh, a few minutes. -ish. Oh, sorry to cut us off, but Rarity actually would like to say something to you, and I’d like to think she should have a turn.

Okay, then. In that case, sure, you can send the books to Twilight whenever’s convenient. It was nice to hear from you again.

You too! Anyways, Rarity’s ready I’ll talk to you later bye!

So, Toby was it? My sincerest apologies, but I was not at all ready to deal with something like this today. Though, if what Twilight speaks of you is true, then I will trust her judgment and trust you as well.

My name is Rarity, though you probably know this by now. As you’re also likely aware, I am a close friend of Twilight’s here. I wasn’t certain how I’d take to her making a friend with one of these hue mans as she calls them, but if they enjoy the theater as you have claimed earlier, you certainly can’t be all that uncultured.

As a matter of fact, I was wondering what the Princesses were doing in Ponyville yesterday, but I suppose your existence would warrant a visit from them. Sorry, how long have you been writing to Twilight?

Hello?

Wow, sorry. I couldnt get over how neat and lovely your cursive looked. It was hard to read along while I saw it getting written in real-time.

Oh, now look at wh I would say ‘Look at what you’ve done,’ but you’re on the other side of

You’re making me blush in public! It’s so embarrassing!

I apparently have that effect.

Anyways, to answer your question, I’ve been writing to Twilight for a couple of weeks, but we’ve only shared my existence to the princesses very recently.

Also, sorry about your blushing.

It’s quite alright, I’m sure you meant no harm with your compliment.

Oh, it seems Twilight would like to wrap things up, so I will simply say that it has been a pleasure writing to you, Toby, and that you too have nice-looking writing.

Thanks, and yeah. It was nice talking to you.

Toby, I have to imagine that my other friends will be coming soon, so if it’s alright with you, I’d like to end our conversation here.

Yeah, no problem. I kind of like introducing myself to your friends one at a time anyways. If it’s alright with you, maybe we can plan some times in the near future that I can introduce myself to your other friends, just to get it out of the way.

That sounds like a great idea! I’ll talk to you about it after your next class.

Sounds good. Enjoy your lunch!

You too.

9/24/15-Day 3064, Day 2

Hey, Twilight. I got home and I got a headstart on my homework, so I’m pretty much free the whole night. Sorry if I’m later than normal.

That’s alright, Toby. I was actually spending a good portion of the day filling in the blanks about us to Rarity. I also showed her your picture, and she actually said you looked very handsome for a creature she’s never seen before.

Trust me when I say that’s a tremendous compliment coming from her. I’ll also mail you a picture of her before you go to bed tonight, so be sure to check your mailbox.

I aim to please. Though, if I'm sure if I showed her pictures of Chris Pine or Channing Tatum or something, her opinion of me would lower real quick.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Rarity and I think you're perfectly pleasant to look at, and I think that should be enough.

Gee, thanks. In all seriousness though. How has she been taking to all of this?

Surprisingly, incredibly well. After the comments you made at lunch about the theater, she's been speculating about other facets of human culture, namely your fashion.

Not to put myself down again, but I can guarantee you that if I can snag a Vogue magazine for her to look at, she'd never want to see me in my threads again. As a matter of fact, I can run to the Walgreens near my house and get her a copy if she's at all interested.

You know what? I believe that she would very much love a copy. I assume its a fashion magazine, right?

Yes ma'am.

Great! Rarity is actually a fashion designer by trade herself. In fact, she's one of the best in all of Equestria.

Then I can only assume that she'd make great use out of a magazine like that. Heck, she if only she could see some of the period piece movies that we get around this time of year. She'd probably be in heaven.

I'm sure she would, but you obviously would know that a lot better than us.

Toby?

Sorry, that just had me thinking. Never mind, though. If she's interested in fashion and theater, I'd be more than happy to run to the library after class tomorrow and pick some things up for her to read. That is, if she doesn't have her hands full with the magazine.

I’m sure she’d like that very much. What did you have in mind?

If memory serves correct, my Western History textbook mentioned William Shakespeare. I’ll send you some of my favorite works from him. Also, I would have to think that she’d enjoy some Jane Austen herself. I can still have those books I sent you checked out for another couple of weeks and renew them if need be, so whenever you’re finished with them, you can lend them to Rarity if she’d like.

Thanks again, Toby, but you really shouldn’t need to go crazy. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of things to read between the two of us.

Anyways, what were you thinking of just earlier? I know you said never mind, but unless it’s personal, you can still tell me.

It’s just that I was thinking of a way that I can share movies with you, but wasn’t exactly sure how to go about it and planned on saving that for another time. Now that you have me thinking about it again, I can go and shop around for a portable DVD player and send it to you. As a matter of fact yeah, I’ve got plenty of time this weekend to do that. Heck, I can probably look around on Amazon or something before and in between classes tomorrow too. This already sounds amazing! Heck, I

I’m sorry, Twilight. I’m getting a little carried away.

That’s perfectly fine, Toby. I’m pretty sure I get the gist of it. And if any of what you said is possible, then I’d very much like to experience your species’ talents in film.

Cool. Actually, if it’s okay with you, I can go online now and start looking. If I’m lucky, I may find a store that carries one, buy it, and pick it up for you to have tomorrow. Not to mention, our library also rents out movies too, so I can send those along with those plays.

If that’s what you’d like to do, you go ahead and do that. If it’s not too much to ask, can you try and find one that’s large enough for multiple ponies to watch? Maybe I can invite Pinkie or Rarity to watch something with me.

I’ll do my best. Don’t forget, my mailbox only has so much room.

Don’t you worry about that. Once you get this DVD player, send me it’s dimensions and I’ll provide instructions from there.

Ooh, are you going to do some special kind of magical bippity-bop?

What?

Nothing, just a reference. Maybe I’ll send you the movie it’s from so you understand.

Neat! Well, happy shopping! If I don’t hear from you until tomorrow, have a good night!

Cool. I’m looking forward to seeing how we get this thing done.

I’m sure you are. Other than our letters and these journals, you really haven’t seen any other kind of magic, have you?

Nope! It’s going to be oodles of fun, I’m sure!

It sure is! Anyways, goodnight Toby.

Goodnight, Twilight.

9/25/15-Moon 3064, Day 3

Morning, Twilight. Sorry for leaving you hanging last night. I got so tired after shopping that I just went to bed.

No need to apologize, Toby. A good night's sleep is far more important than late night chatting. Also, good morning yourself. I hope your shopping was at least fruitful?

Fruitful it was! I found a really good deal for a portable Blu-Ray player on Amazon, and because I'm a Prime member, it'll get delivered to me by Saturday night. Oh, and Blu-Rays are similar to DVDs, but they're of higher quality, and they can also play DVDs too so you'll be just fine.

Oh, you bought it already? How does that even work, buying things online, that is? I'm genuinely curious.

You can buy things off of websites online. Amazon is one of the biggest ones, and you can buy virtually anything through it. I just put in my address, pay them through a debit or credit card (think of it like a device that transfers credit or money from a bank to whoever you're paying), and there you have it!

I see. Either way, it sounds like you took care of it. How much was it?

You don't need to worry about that, Twilight. It wasn't that much, honestly.

I still feel like I should owe you something. By the time you get home from school and the library, I'll pay you back in some bits. I can't possibly know the value of your currency on your world (especially compared to ours), but I figured that ten bits might be a fair pitch-in for one of these "Blu-Ray players."

Seriously Twilight, it's completely fine. My birthday's coming up soon anyway, and I'll probably be given enough cash between both my grandparents to essentially get reimbursed.

It's your money, Toby, you should spend it how you

Sorry, forgot I can't just cross things out anymore. Either way, if that's what you really want to spend your money on, I shouldn't make you feel guilty for it. I still greatly appreciate that you would spend your own money like that. Anyways, change of subject. You still have both both sets of grandparents?

Yep! Actually, kinda. My grandma on my mother's side died before I was born, but all the grandparents who've been alive since I was born are still very much alive.

That's very nice to hear! Any of them avid readers or even writers?

My dad's-side grandpa used to let me sit on his lap and read my favorite children's books to me. He ~~was~~ is such an amazing storyteller, and I actually give him a lot of credit for getting me into writing and storytelling.

Aww, how sweet! So tell me, what kind of books did tiny Toby Cray like to read as a baby?

To be fair, my memory pre-4 years old is extremely hazy, but as a child, I used to dig Thomas the Tank Engine back then. Talking trains on this lush railway-based island community, you know how it goes. But just the way my grandpa read the books, he really knew how to make you feel the story, you know what I mean?

I certainly do, and I'm sure your grandfather's a very wonderful person. I only wish I could say something to him.

I would too, but he actually had a heart attack that nearly killed him a few years ago, and if he saw words writing themselves into a book like they are now, he'd probably have himself one last heart attack, if you catch my drift.

Oh, gosh! That's certainly morbid!

You shouldn't be too upset. He's in his eighties now, which is pretty ahead of the curve for people our age. Anyways, I'm actually about to head out the door for class now. Sorry to leave on such a somber note, but if you have any ideas of story types or genres that you're interested in, I can think about a couple of good movies to send your way before the Blu-Ray player ships. Sound good?

Sounds good! I'll talk to Spike when he wakes up, and maybe we can agree on something!

Cool. We can probably talk a little bit before class starts too. See you then.

Take care, Toby!

Author's Note

I'd like to apologize for the sparse updates to this story, as I know it's been two weeks for me to make this one. Right now, I am getting very close to completing a story that I started writing back in March of 2017. I wanted to finish it by the end of last year, but time got away from me, and now I'm doing everything I can to ensure that it's done and finished before the end of February.

On top of that, I still have a 9 to 5 that I work, a social life I try to make active, and my mom just recently got a Hulu subscription, so I've been going over and starting Castle Rock and getting back into The Handmaid's Tale with her, so I've been doing that in my free time as well.

I don't want to come off like I'm trying to wring sympathy out of you, but I just thought it would be fair to tell you what I've been up to in the days I've spent not working on this story.

9/25/15-Moon 3064, Day 3

Hey, I’m at my desk now. I still have quite a few minutes until other students start showing up.

Alright, I went over it with Spike, and we both love a good adventure! What do you think you can make with that?

If it’s adventure you’re looking for, I can hardly think of a better film than Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s set in our 1930’s about a college professor who’s also a renowned archeologist named Indiana Jones, and he’s trying to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis (remember them?) can and use it for world domination (the Nazis, I mean).

I got it. Still, are you sure that won’t be too heavy for Spike?

Maybe the ending, but other than that, it’s one of the greatest action films of all time here.

I’m sure it is. Strangely enough, this Indiana Jones character sounds slightly familiar with another character from our world named Daring Do. She’s also an archeologist who hunts for treasure, though instead of Nazis, her arch-nemesis is the evil Ahuizotl, who also wants to use the treasures Daring Do hunts for to conquer the world.

Well, at least he sounds like he doesn’t want to commit genocide.

Toby, stop! Either way, I’ll trust your judgment on that. If this Indiana Jones is anything like Daring Do, I’m sure Spike and I will have a great time with it. In fact, there’s another friend of mine who’d probably enjoy it more than even Spike or I would.

Reallly? Is this a proposal to include a new friend in this?

Sure, if you’re up to it. Her name is Rainbow Dash, and while I got her into the Daring Do books, she’s become the biggest fan of them. I can probably meet with her for lunch and you can chat with her if you’re free.

That sounds fine. Sorry to change the topic so quickly, but I thought of a couple movies that Rarity and Pinkie Pie might enjoy. Given Rarity’s love of fashion, I just browsed through the Best Costume winners from the Oscars (they’re an awards ceremony honoring the best in film each year), and a couple that popped up that I can personally recommend are Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon and Baz Luhrman’s Moulin Rouge!. The last one’s a musical (a pretty flamboyant one too), so I thought that may be something both Rarity and Pinkie Pie can enjoy. I also thought of getting some movies that can be enjoyed by just about anyone, and so I also put Mary Poppins on hold. Legit one of the best films ever made.

It sure looks like you’ve been busy! Though I’m sure my friends and I will enjoy any film you recommend to them. Getting back on topic, I just want to be sure that you’re fine adding another pony to the list of those who know you exist.

I mean, sure! If I’m going to have to meet them all eventually, I might as well not dawdle around on it.

Okay, I’ll get in touch with her once you start with class. I’m sure that once she knows as much as she can, she may ask for some book and movie recommendations as well, so be prepared. Though, to be honest, she’ll probably spend a lot of time talking about herself.

No problem! I don’t mind learning about her, especially if you’re going to do the legwork in introducing me to her.

I suppose. She may also be as suspicious of you as Spike was when he first learned about you, maybe even more so. Just prepare for anything with her.

Okay. I think this may be a good spot to leave off. Some of my classmates normally come in around this exact time, so I’ll talk with you and Rainbow Dash in a few hours. See you!

I’m looking forward to it!

9/25/15-Moon 3064, Day 3

Hey there, Twilight, and I assume Rainbow Dash?

Yep, we’re both here. Sorry in advance, I haven’t been able to be as thorough with my explanation about you to her. Rainbow Dash likes to sleep in most mornings and

Hey listen, whatever you are, don’t listen to her. Twilight’s a real kidder she is. I’m actually super busy most mornings, so I couldn’t really talk to her, you know what I mean?

I’m guessing this is Rainbow Dash I'm writing to?

That’s my name, don’t wear it out. Not that you’d ever be able to, bud!

Anyways, you shouldn’t have to feel ashamed around me about getting some extra sleep. Lord knows I love to get an extra hour or three when I have the chance.

Haha yeah, right on! Not to say I’m not busy though. I do happen to fly with the greatest pegasus flight team in Equestria, by the way, but we don’t usually practice until the PM, so yeah.

Since I’m sure you’re practically dying waiting for me to ask, might I ask what the name of this flight team is?

Yeah, sure! We’re called, wait for it...

...

...

...

Ok.a.y. I think I got it.

The Wonderbolts! I’m their newest recruit, and wow, I literally just realized how much it must stink having to be stuck on your world, and you’ll never get to see how awesome we are!

I’m sure I’ll find a way to cope. We have something kind of like that in our world called the Blue Angels, and the come and put on a show every August at the Air and Water Show. However, us humans can’t fly on our own like pegasi and alicorns can, so we use these big machines called planes to allow us to. Though I bet that having wings already makes you that much more agile in the air than a plane can ever be. Sorry, silly question, but you are a pegasus, right?

Kind of hard to be on a flying team if you’re not, dude! Anyways, Twilight did talk to me a little bit about you, and she said that you’re a fan of Daring Do too? Isn’t she just the coolest?

I think you may have misheard her. We talked about a character from my world who’s very similar to this Daring Do, but is not Daring Do. I’m getting her a special device that’ll allow her to watch movies from my world, and one of the ones I recommended and plan on getting features this character. It sounds like you’re a big enough fan of this Daring Do that you’ll probably dig this movie too. Not to be too presumptuous, but I bet if you ask Twilight really nicely, she’ll let you stay over and watch it when I send the device and some of the movies I plan on delivering over.

Haha, looks like we have a joker over here! Listen here, Tuby, Twilight and I go way back, and the two of us
It’s Toby.

Hey, don’t start writing just below me while I’m still writing! Look, Twilight and I are close enough that we could probably come into each other’s homes whenever we wanted, so yeah, I wouldn’t need to ask her for squat!

But yeah, if this dude is anything like Daring Do, I’m sure I’ll like it just fine.

Great! Then it sounds like my job here is done!

Whoa hey

TOBY WHOA

Yes?

You weren’t seriously going to leave me hanging there, were you?

Of course not. I was just glad that I got you interested in that movie. It’s a classic in my world, and I’d love to hear what you think of it (same goes for you, Twilight, if you happen to be reading over your friend’s shoulder).

Yeah, of course! No problem! But if you haven’t read Daring Do, you totally should! I can lend you some of my copies!

That’s not necessary, Rainbow Dash. If those books are as precious to you as you make them sound, I’d hate for them to get damaged or lost in the delivery, so to speak.

Actually, Twilight was saying that she would lend you some of her copies. I guess that’s probably a little easier for all of us. Anyway, she also says that you’ll need to get back to class soon, so when we’re done talking here, I’ll give her a list of the best Daring Do books she can send your way!

Neat. Thanks a lot for that! I still have a few more minutes before I have to start heading for my last class, so if you want to talk just a little bit more, I'm all eyes.

?

It's like "I'm all ears" except we're not actually talking and I can't hear you so... eyes?

Ah, okay! I got you! Anyways, so these movies you talked about, are they anything like our mov

You know what, scratch that. Keep forgetting that you can't see most stuff from here.

No worries. Like you said, there's probably not as easy of a way to see Equestrian movies on my end as there will be to show you movies from my world, but I hope ours dazzle you nonetheless. I'm running to my library after work to rent some movies for your other friends to watch over the weekend once the player arrives, so if you'd like to shoot me some suggestions of other things you like, I should have enough time to think it over before we have to part ways.

Oh, okay! Obviously, I love flying, and flying fast (that's important).

I dunno, I just like it when stuff is happening, you know?

I think I can read between the lines on that. I actually have quite a few ideas popping into my head, and I'll probably have a few more as the rest of the day goes on. Until then, I've gotta be getting to class so, I'm going to pack up and head back in. It was a real pleasure getting to talk to you, Rainbow Dash.

Yeah, sure thing! It was great getting to know you

T

To

Toby. I'll be sure to remember it the next time we have a chance to write.

Sounds good. You and Twilight take it easy!

You too, bud!

9/25/15-Moon 3064, Day 3

Hey Twilight, done with classes for the week, and I decided to run to the library while it was fresh on my mind, and I also got some dinner too.

Hello again, Toby! That sounds nice. Something good I hope?

Had a real hankering for some Noodles and Company. It’s a restaurant chain that makes really good food, and I always get their Japanese Pan Noodles. And then when you add a little sriracha and soy sauce on it when you get home? Mwah!

Interesting. I assume by ‘chain,’ there’s many of these same restaurants in different locations?

Bingo!

Not to be too intrusive, but do you by chance know what your other friends are doing, as in your classmates or whomever?

Like, if they had dinner plans? I think I overheard them talking about going to this nearby pub, but I honestly really wanted to come home and keep writing with you now that we have a full weekend to do so.

That’s very nice of you, but I’d like to hope that my friends and I aren’t the extent of your social circle.

You shouldn’t need to worry. I still enjoy hanging with my human friends on occasion, but you have to admit, I’m immensely lucky to be the one human who gets to converse with an alicorn princess and her numerous friends on another world. Not too many people would want to pass up what I have right now.

I suppose you’re right, but if you were able to meet up with your friends sometime in the near future, even if it meant we don’t get to talk for an entire day, I’d honestly not be happier for you, and would completely understand.

I guess that’ll work out, because I am planning another big movie get-together next weekend.

Oh? That’s wonderful! What are you all seeing?

It’s called The Martian. Basically, it’s this manned excursion on the planet Mars that gets cut short due to a large storm. One of the astronauts gets struck by debris and is assumed to be dead, so he gets left behind. It turns out that he’s not dead, and so he uses the habitat he and his team had been living on and uses their equipment to send a message that he’s alive so that they can go back and bring him home, while he has to survive long enough for them to come back.

Gosh, that sure sounds thrilling!

Early reviews have been super strong too, so yeah. Really excited. It’s actually based on a book, but as you can imagine, the movie’s made the book super popular, so there’s a really long wait to check the book out at the library.

That’s no problem. I’ll be happy to hear all about it after you and your friends see it.

Oh, and speaking of the library and movies, I’ve got a small list of what I was able to get for you and your friends to watch. I got:

-Barry Lyndon
-It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (comedy masterpiece right here)
-Mary Poppins
-Moulin Rouge!
-Raiders of the Lost Arc
-Top Gun

I figured that’s a good start?

It’s a perfect start. I doubt we’ll get through them by the end of the weekend, but we’ll be sure to get a good enough headstart so you can return them soon.

No rush. I have to imagine I’ll be able to renew any of those at any time, so don’t feel like you need to get through them by a certain point. Watching movies shouldn’t feel like a chore, you know? Either way, I’ll let you know if something comes up in case I can’t renew any of them.

Sounds great, Toby. Any updates on the Blu-Ray player?

Nothing’s really changed, but I imagine it’ll come just shortly after noon at the latest. When it comes, the first thing I plan to do is let you know.

Right. I still do need to prepare the spell to get it over here. Shouldn’t take too long, but the sooner you can let me know when it arrives the better.

Of course. Shouldn’t be much longer. As a matter of fact. I’m going to finish my dinner real quick and then I’ll get right back to you. Getting more and more nervous about dripping sauce into the pages.

Yes, please! I’d hate just as much as you if these books got messy, so good call there.

Okay. Be back in a bit.

I’ll be here.

9/25/15-Moon 3064, Day 3

Twilight, I forgot to ask. How are those books going for you and Spike?

Wow, that was quicker than I expected. Guessing you had quite an appetite.

A little. So tell me, how's your reading going?

Yes, and I'm glad you asked me. I should hopefully be finished with those books you gave me by the end of the weekend. I know I've been holding off on those other books you got me so looking forward to reading, so if you want to go and send me those whenever you want, I'll probably get started on them right away. Actually, Spike wants to write too.

Hey, Toby!

What's going on, man? Enjoying this new book?

Oh, yeah! This one's a lot more fun, no offense. I actually finished it a couple of days ago, but I didn't think about asking for any new books. I knew you were going to the library too, so I should have asked. I'm sorry.

Not a problem. As you may have seen, Twilight's asking me to send her some more books, so I can see what I have in my own collection and give you something I think you'll enjoy.

Cool, thanks a lot, Toby! I think I'll let you get back to talking to Twilight.

Sounds good. Have a good night if I don't hear from you again.

See ya!

So, what did you have in mind?

Toby?

Sorry, I was looking through my bookshelves. I want to be sure I didn't store my Dark Tower series somewhere else, but I also wanted to check on finding something for Spike if I have something. I mean, the library doesn't close for another couple hours yet. I could always run bac

Toby, no, that's not necessary. With movie night presumably tomorrow, I'm sure he'll have enough to look forward to.

Actually, I did find something for Spike. I know he said he didn't like Princess of Mars' prose, but maybe he'll enjoy this. I know magic exists on your world, but does fantasy still exist as a genre, or how does that work? And how have I not asked you this yet?

To answer your question, while many things on our world are things you and other humans consider fantastical, Equestria has its own array of fantasies as well. As a matter of fact, Spike has a great fondness of this fantasy role-playing board game called Ogres and Oubliettes, and has regular meet-ups with a couple of friends of his to play.

Ogres and Oubliettes? Sounds close enough like Dungeons and Dragons to me for me to understand. In that case, I think Spike will adore this book. If he does indeed like it, I should have the next three books in the series somewhere around here to give to him. In any case, I've got the Dark Tower series all stacked up and ready to send. I may have to send the books off in intervals, as I don't think there's any way for me to fit them in the mailbox at once.

Actually, Toby, before you do that, I think this would be a great opportunity to test and show you my flat-storage spell before your Blu-Ray player comes. Do you have a box that all of those books can fit in?

That's not a not a bad idea, actually. Hold on, I may have to go look for one.

No worries. I have to prepare it myself on my end. So while you go and look for a box, I'll get that spell squared away. Alright?

Sounds fine with me. Be right back.

Same.

9/25/15-Moon 3064, Day 3

Hey, so I got that box and all the books are in it. All eight books of the Dark Tower series as well as The Hobbit. I also remember you asking me at one point to measure the box the Blu-Ray player comes in. Thankfully, cardboard boxes are already labeled with the dimensions so I didn't need to put in much extra work. In length by width by height (inches), the box is 13x9x11. Don't know how much longer it needs to take on your end now, but I'm ready for you.

Hello?

Sorry, had to find the book the spell was in. It's not a spell most unicorns and alicorns perform on a regular basis, so I'm going to need a reference if I want to do this right.

Right, of course. Sorry for sounding pushy.

That's fine, Toby, you had no way of knowing. Still, I need to draw out the length and width of your box and then cast its depth. Then once its done, I still need to mail it to you, and that's going to take some time for the parchment to show up on your end.

Okay, I'm getting a better idea of what we're doing, but do you mind telling me how this is all working? In layman's terms, of course.

Certainly! I first get a large enough piece of parchment to draw the length and width out. Then, what I do is I use magic to create a space within those parameters that the box will go into. Once I've done that, I'll cast another spell to return the paper somewhat to normal, but from that point on, any object that sits inside the outline will "sink" into the paper and rest inside that space until another pony can extract the object out of it.

Wow. That's going to look so cool from my end.

I'm sure it will, but there's some things you'll need to know. Only one object can go into the space at a time, so make sure the box and only the box gets placed inside the outline once you get the parchment. Second, make sure no part of the parchment within the outline is damaged, or the spell will be broken. To be fair, it won't be as big a deal if you do so before you put the box in; I can just cast another one. But if you tear or damage the parchment after that, your books will be lost forever, and I'd hate for that to happen.

Ditto. So, how much longer do you think it'll take before you mail it to me?

As a matter of fact, I worked on the spell while we were writing, and it's already been neatly folded and put in my mailbox. It's only been a couple minutes since then, but it should be coming your way momentarily. In the meantime, I've got some questions for you now.

Shoot.

First, these Dark Tower books. Are any of them scary? What should I expect, other than the stuff I read about, beforehand?

Yes, well, obviously, there's a lot of themes of racial tension in these books, though I feel like you've read enough Stephen King to have a good idea of the kinds of subject matters he tends to get into.

I suppose. And this book, the Hobbit. I assume that's the book for Spike you were talking about earlier? What's that one?

It's about a creature called a hobbit (think of them like humans, but shorter and with large feet, who goes on an epic quest to help a band of dwarves (like hobbits, but with normal feet and a bit gruffer) raid and reclaim a vast treasure being hoarded by a fearsome

Is it a dragon? Do they kill the dragon?

I don't know how that could have slipped my mind, but yeah, at one point, they do kill the dragon. I'd completely understand if Spike wouldn't want to read anything like that. I can take the book out before I send the Dark Tower series to you.

Can you tell me what happens? Like, was the dragon evil and it was trying to kill the heroes? Or maybe even worse?

Are you fine with me spoiling it for you?

If it makes you feel better about lending the book to Spike, then sure, tell me what happens to the dragon.

Well, he is a very greedy, wicked dragon, and he drove the dwarves from their home and took the treasure, and when the hobbit takes a single piece of the treasure, the dragon gets angry and rampages a nearby town, forcing one of its inhabitants to kill it.

I see. I haven't told you much about dragons other than Spike, but dragons are typically very greedy by nature, and their greed leads to them being typically ill-tempered, and in some cases, violent creatures. Back in old times, ponies have actually had to slay dragons that have tried to attack and raid their towns and kingdoms, and Spike learned about this himself after he once went to the Dragonlands to do some soul-searching. As I'm sure I've said before, Spike is still very mature for his age, and I'm certain that if the dragon in that book is as evil as you described, then I'm certain he will accept its death.

I guess that's a relief? I certainly don't want to make it out like I'm antagonizing his kind or anything.

Spike knows firsthand how antagonistic dragons can be, so I can hardly think he'll be that offended. If it makes you feel better, I can warn him about the dragon and if he'll still feel comfortable reading it, but I'm certain at this point that he'll still dive headfirst into this book if it's still as good as you claim.

It's a classic, and an engrossing read at that. As a matter of fact, that parchment may be here by now. I'll go check the mailbox, and when it comes, I'll go ahead and put everything together. Can we talk more once it's back in my mailbox?

Absolutely. Take your time.

Okay, talk to you soon.

Author's Note

Anniversary Update

9/25/15-Moon 3064, Day 3

So, that spell of yours. Yeah, that was some cool stuff there.

So it worked? That's good. Is it in the mailbox yet?

Not yet. I just wanted to tell you about it because that really was cool! Going to do it now.

Alright. Just be

Never mind, you're probably already gone.

Just got back. Everything's fine. Nothing ripped, nothing got torn.

Wonderful. I'll go and check my mailbox in just a bit. In the meantime, how's your actual writing assignment going?

I mean, I only wrote my response back less than a week ago. Actually, come to think of it, I don't think I ever thought to get in touch with her online or something. If it's okay with you, I'm going to spend some time looking for her Facebook profile if that's okay with you.

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that this Facebook isn't a book of humans' faces?

Right you are. We have things called social networks that allow humans to converse and share info with one another. Think of it like texting, but it's a tad more detailed and features a little more personal information about people and things that we choose to share (hope I don't forget, but there's an extremely good movie about the creation of Facebook I'd love to share with you (obviously, let's wait until you run through these first)).

Of course. I trust any recommendation you can give me and I'll be glad to wait. About getting in touch with this person, Sara, was it? Anyway, is there some kind of rule in the assignment about only being able to write and converse with each other though letters, or is connecting through one of these social networks acceptable too?

I can't say for certain. I'm sure if there was, the teacher would have said something or wrote it in the assignment. Maybe if she knows better, she could tell me. If not, I can always email my teacher or speak to him on Monday to confirm. I can't imagine that it'd be a problem. If the main point is to get to know about someone, then hooking up on Facebook should be straight up encouraged, you know? The letters bit is just to get some extra subtext about them through their penmanship. Besides, if she has a much more active social life than me, she probably won't even bother with my friend request until tomorrow morning, which should hopefully be more than enough time to hear from my teacher about the rules.

But I thought you were already friends. You said she likes a lot of the same stuff you do.

Right, but a friend request on Facebook is just me reaching out to that person online and asking permission if we can see each other's profiles in more depth and get notifications on the stuff we post when we post it. It sounds very mechanical, but it's the best we got when we're separated by several state lines.

I got you, Toby. No worries. I'll go check the mailbox now for the parchment, and we can call it a night tonight. Sound good?

Sounds good. I should also have an ETA (estimated time of arrival if that's not extremely clear) on the Blu-Ray player tomorrow morning too. Enjoy the books!

I'm certain the buildup to them will have been more than worth it. Goodnight, Toby.

Goodnight, Twilight.

Author's Note

A worldwide illness sure has a peculiar way of kicking your butt back into a somewhat creative mood, eh?

9/10/15

Ms. Sparkle,

I honestly was about to ask you the same thing. I want to take this as diplomatically as possible. I’ll begin by introducing myself. My name is Toby Cray. I’m a species known as a human being from a planet called Earth. I’m a sophomore at the University of Chicago, in the state of Illinois, which is a part of the United States of America, the country I live in.

And to clarify, I have not been trying to contact you. Denver is a city in Colorado, another state, and I have an assignment to write to someone there and study their linguistic patterns. How you are getting my letters is a mystery to myself as well. Whatever the reason may be, I hope this information will suffice in some way.

Apologies,
Toby Cray

9/8/15

To Whomever Receives This,

My name is Toby, and we’re doing this project for my English class where we write letters to other students across the country, talk about whatever, and study each other’s writing patterns and whatnot. I assume you know all about this already, being that your school’s in on it too, but I just want to clarify so you don’t think I’m some creep or that I sent a random letter to the wrong address.

Anyways, as you can tell from the envelope, I live in Chicago, and you live in Denver. I actually remember going to Colorado as a kid once. Although, I spent most of my time in Boulder than Denver. It’s a beautiful state, and I wish to go there again someday if I have the money.

Anyway, I look forward to hearing back from you. I think this will be a lot of fun.

Sincerely,
Toby Cray

9/10/15

To Whomever Receives This,

My name is Toby, and we’re doing this project in my English class where we write letters to another student somewhere in the country, talk about stuff, and study each other’s writing patterns. I would think you’d know this, considering you’re part of the same assignment as me, but in case this letter ends up in the wrong hands, there you go.

Anyway, I live in Chicago, and from what I can tell, you live in Denver. I love Colorado. I remember going a long time ago in middle school, but I was closer to Boulder than Denver. Lovely state still.

Anyways, I look forward to hearing back from you. This should be fun.

Sincerely,
Toby Cray

PS.: If you’re the person that keeps stealing these letters and replacing them with this elaborate “Twilight Sparkle” nonsense, stop immediately, or I’m going to call the police. This isn’t funny. I’m going to get an F on this assignment if you don’t stop, not to mention that what you’re doing is already illegal, so quit it now, and I won’t get the police involved.

PPS.: And if you’re really the person I’m actually writing to, please accept my apologies in advance and ignore the first postscript. Some dumb kids in my neighborhood thinking they’re being funny by taking my mail and replacing them with these scrolls from some “Twilight Sparkle” character. It’s more ridiculous than it sounds. Haha. Let’s hope this doesn’t ruin this.

9/10/15

What’s going on? I’m certain I put that last letter in my mailbox. I waited out on my porch after I got done with class and put the letter in until the mailman came. I even waited out to see if someone would still put in one of those scrolls in as some desperate attempt to keep this prank going. No one but the mailman came, but you clearly got my last letter if your response back was any indicator.

Something is definitely up here. I want to test something right now. If you do get this message, please respond right away, because this is really trippy. I can't even believe I'm signing this letter at this point, but...

Toby Cray

P.S. To clear anything up, I’m a male, by the way.

Moon 3063, Day 21

Toby,

I’m truly sorry if I startled you. I honestly didn’t know of a better way to tell you without dropping some hints, but I am in fact a princess on my world, though it would be an incredibly far stretch to say that I’m a ruler of any kind. My official title is the Princess of Friendship (cute, I know). My duties involve ensuring that the ponies and other species on my world co-exist peacefully and, more often than not, have strong, healthy relations with one another. Kind of like what we’re doing (tee hee). I shouldn’t be too presumptuous and say that anyone on your world would have a title like that.

Anyways, I did flip through your workbook, and I too was a bit overwhelmed by the coincidence surrounding the names of other cities (Las Vegas/Las Pegasus, Baltimare/Baltimore). If I weren’t so sure, it’s almost as if your world and mine had a hand in each other’s development!

Nah, it’s probably just a silly coincidence.

I am including some pictures of my castle as well as some other pictures of my world I’m happy to share with you (I also made sure to label which castle is mine so you don’t confuse Canterlot’s palace for my own (though I’m going to take a wild guess and say that’s another coincidental pun)).

Either way, I await whatever questions I’m pretty certain you have for me.

Twilight

9/14/15

Twilight,

So, my last class got cancelled today, so that leaves me with a few more hours to write to you!

As for your last story, I think I’m going to start learning to take the things you tell me at face value. I can only have my mind blown so many times before I start getting numb to it all.

And to answer your questions this time. Yes, we do not have Princesses of Friendship on our world. Most countries (ours included) have presidents and prime ministers. We have a couple of kings and queens, but most governments here are based on a more democratic process.

Also, I haven’t gotten a response back yet from my receiver. I wasn’t expecting one until the end of the week at the very earliest. I’ll be sure to let you know how it’s going once the ball really gets rolling.

Finally, your mention of a centaur reminded me of another question I have. You talked about overseeing the coexistence of other species as part of your title, and I initially thought you just meant earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns, but then I thought, did you mean other mythological creatures (at least, mythological to us) like dragons, griffons, chimeras? You have to tell me!

Toby

P.S. Please tell me there’s dragons!

P.P.S. PLEASE tell me there’s dragons!!

Moon 3063, Day 22

Toby,

I sure hope nothing is wrong on your school or your teacher’s end. But I am happy we can write more today.

And to answer your question, yes, dragons do exist in our world (as well as all the other creatures you mentioned and more). In fact my assistant is a dragon himself. If you’re comfortable with me sharing your existence with him, I’d gladly let you write to him.

And you shouldn’t have to worry about news about you spreading out throughout Equestria. Spike is very dependable and tight-lipped on issues like this. Also, don’t feel pressured into thinking you need to share what we’re doing to anyone of your kind. I don’t know how the rest of you humans function in your society, and I’d hate to cause a rift between our worlds should something come out on your end.

I can assure you that my friends, along with several others I know, would probably like you very much and would welcome you into Equestria with open arms. I’d still like to pace this out, which is why I’m more open to letting Spike know about you first. Just say the word, and I’ll let him introduce himself.

But perhaps keep talk of your horror movies to an absolute minimum. He may be mature for his age, but he’s still technically a child.

Twilight

9/15/15

Hey Twilight,

~~I think Spike and I hit it off pretty well.~~ Sorry, I just realized how poorly sarcasm translates on paper.

I’m including the letter he sent me with this one (my guess is he sent it late last night). Sorry for keeping you hanging until after class, it’s just that I figured he’d expect a reply in the morning, and I thought this would be a better time.

Just don’t be too hard on him. I’m not that upset at all, honestly. I’ve been online enough to know a textbook case of posturing when I see it. He does sound quite protective of you, so good on him there.

Of course, I’m not excusing what he did, but you better hide any letters of mine that you saved in case he makes good on the whole princess promise. Here’s hoping you get this letter before he does.

Toby

P.S. Please go easy on him. I’d hate to have the first dragon I meet hate my guts (even if that’s the case already).

9/15/15

Twilight,

You don't need to make him give an apology to me. If he jeopardized your relationship with your fellow princesses, that should just be between you and him. Like I said, I wasn't hurt by what he wrote to me, and like you said, any punishment would have fallen on you and not me. If he's not up to writing to me too, he shouldn't feel pressured into doing so, especially for an apology he probably won't mean.

I also took a look at your calendar, and I'm kind of intrigued by it. It seems we have the same number of months, although all them them are 30 days. Nice round number. That's interesting, because our years are entirely based upon our orbit around our sun. One full revolution equals a year, and that year equals 365 days, which is divided into 12 months that are 30 or 31 days (except for February, which is 28 days long, except on every fourth year when it becomes 29 days (we call it a Leap Year, I guess each revolution is actually 365 and a quarter days, and then we get an extra day to keep ourselves aligned (I'm sure it makes way less sense than how your years work))).

Must be quite the cosmic convenience to have each month be equal to each other. I wonder what that means for your seasons, although, I'm sure you'll have some crazy explanation for both, which I look forward to, by the way.

Toby

9/18/15

Twilight,

I’m glad to see you so eager to expand your horizons. Once I teach you a little more about our world and it’s history, I can hardly wait to send you IT or The Dark Tower series (seriously, one of the best series of books I’ve ever read).

I will forewarn you, that we humans do have quite a spotty history at that, so if you’re willing to dive into that, I can lend you some of my history textbooks from last year.

In the meantime, I can swing by the library sometime this weekend and share some other classics with you. I’m sure I’ll find some good stuff for you too, Spike. Speaking of, I did remember the comic book shop this time. I got you some Superman, Batman, Iron Man, and Spider-Man (super creative, right?), just to give you a taste of both DC and Marvel.

Have fun with that. I don’t have anywhere to be tomorrow, so if you want to spend more time writing today, I should be up to do so. See ya’.

Toby

9/16/15

Spike,

I'm glad to see you write that. I went to bed before I could receive your letter back, and for that, I apologize. It is good that we got that sorted away, and I hope I can be friends this time around and write to each other too.

And judging from your last response, I couldn't help but read a few times over, but are you saying that your kind actually controls the day, night, and even your own weather? Like, I have to be sure I'm not assuming something incredibly silly. I have to say, that's going to be on my mind for the better part of the day, but I'd really like to know how you make that all possible? Do you live in any kind of solar system, or are the sun and moon magic too?

I mean, that's certainly not as cool as how we "do it" here. Our planet revolves around a sun, and we have a moon that revolves around our planet. Our planet (I'll just call it Earth for future reference (though that is our planet's name)) also rotates, and it completes a single rotation every 24 hours, and when it rotates away from the sun, that's nighttime (we also have timezones, so everyone operates on a similar day period). As for seasons, our planet is also tilted at an axis, so each hemisphere gets more direct sunlight at different parts of the year. Those with more experience summer (hot, typically dry weather) and those with less experience winter (cold, snowy weather). The hemispheres get equal sunlight during spring and autumn, so weather's a bit more neutral.

Sorry if that doesn't blow your mind, but at least we have the title of "Best Horror Storytellers" on lock. But yeah. I'm heading to class soon and won't be back for several hours. I still look forward to hearing back.

Sincerely,
Toby

P.S. Also, yeah, weather operates on its own here, though far be it from me to try and explain it.

Moon 3063, Day 24

Toby,

From this point forward, Spike and I are going to write letters jointly. I also asked his permission to give you a picture of him, and he agreed, so one should be attached with this letter.

To answer your questions about how our days, nights, and weather works, our two princesses raise the sun and moon each day and night, respectively. Pegasi are typically in charge of the weather (at least in determining the types of precipitation we get), but we all do our part. Every fall, Ponyville has this big hoofrace called the Running of the Leaves that help shake the leaves off the trees with our galloping. And we also partake in Winter Wrap-Up, where we plow snow off the lands, wake up hibernating animals, start growing crops, all the stuff I assume happens on your world, except, it seems to happen without any intervention on your part.

I mean, sure, how your world functions on that end may not sound as fun, but the fact that your world has all of that just by happenstance is breathtaking on its own. You should consider yourselves so fortunate.

Also, I'd really like you to not mention your horror stories to Spike as little as possible. That movie summary you sent was disturbing enough for me, and I can hardly imagine how Spike would react to something like that!

Twilight

________________________________________________

Hey Toby,

I'm also glad that yesterday is water under the bridge, and I think I'd like to become friends fast too.

I mean, it looks like you've spent most of your time discussing boring stuff about how your worlds work, but I'd like to know some of your interests! From the sound of it, you like horror stories. I also like those kinds of stories. Actually, I should say that I like telling them to others and scaring them. I also like comic books. You like superhero stuff too? My favorite food is gemstones. That may sound weird, but dragons' teeth are sharp enough to eat them. They also taste really good, though most non-dragons wouldn't know.

Anyways, I'll leave it with this. Want to hear back from you before bed, you know. Well, talk to you later!

From,
Spike

9/17/15

Twilight and Spike,

I got those comics, Spike, but I'll read them when I get done with classes. I just don't want people seeing me with Equestrian literature. I mean sure, they can just assume its some indie/super-hipster type thing and think little of it, but I'd rather not take the chances. I'll definitely check them out though. They look fun.

And to answer your questions, Twilight, I have not received a reply yet. I may have explained it a bit in my first letter, but I'm getting to know this person through their writing. The things they like, they dislike, life where they're from, etc., and then on top of that, I also have to look through their letter, look at their penmanship, whether they make lots of spelling errors, whether they correct them and how often, the kind of personality they give off through what words they use. And then, at the end of the semester, we have to then invent a character based on this person we're writing to, which is to be our thesis of the class, per se. And that's just a pre-requisite for next-semester's class.

The next semester, we have to write a short story featuring that character as the protagonist. It sounds a little weird, but I actually took the class specifically for this assignment. To answer your last question, the reason I'm going to school is to become a writer myself. I have no idea if I'm going to write novels, short stories, poems, screenplays, or what yet, but I'm just planning on dipping my toes and getting experience and knowledge where I can.

In fact, I may just start reading comics again too. Just another form of literature I could be getting more well-versed in. Anyways, I don't want to run late, so I'm going to stop the letter here.

Toby

9/17/15

Twilight and Spike,

If Goosebumps is a little too childish for you, I'll gladly lend you my copy of Nightmares and Dreamscapes (don't worry, I folded the corners of the pages of "safer" stories). Sorry, Spike, but this one is definitely going to be much too mature for you. I just figure that after you read a couple of stories from there, the stuff that I've written before now will seem tame by comparison (I was quite the edgy teenager).

Also, Spike, I just started writing this letter after getting home and reading yours, so I can't weigh in on the Power Ponies quite yet. However, tomorrow's Friday again, which means I have an entire weekend to read comics or whatever else you want to send me. And now that I mention comics, Spike, I'm so sorry that I completely forgot to get you some comics from my world. I'll be sure to do that at one point this weekend, I promise. However, I can give you my thoughts on Power Ponies before I go to bed tonight.

Later everyone.

Toby

Moon 3063, Day 26

Toby,

I’m sorry for sending this letter so early in the morning, but I really need you to know something. That Crouch End story you recommended?

THAT WAS THE SINGLE GREATEST HORROR STORY I’VE EVER READ!!

Oh, my sweet Celestia, where do I even begin? Yeah, there was a ton of terms and slang I didn’t get, but I’ll send a separate letter with them as promised! But my gosh, if this Stephen King person wasn’t so darned talented at sucking you into his world with his words, I’d probably go insane with how scared I’d be by the time it was over!

I haven’t been able to sleep a wink! I already read a bunch more, and I love every single letter, number, and punctuation mark in them! Though I don’t have to bore you with this, you’ve probably read this book cover to cover a countless number times by now!

Anyways, I’d love it if you sent me more of this guy’s books. They’re just incredible! Thanks for backfiring in your attempt to scare me!

Best prank EVER!!!

Thank you again,
Twilight

Moon 3063, Day 27

Hello Mr. Toby Cray the Human,

My name is Pinkie Pie, and Twilight's probably told you a little bit about me.

If she hasn't, then let me be the first to introduce myself. My name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, but all my friends call me Pinkie Pie. I just told you that already. Whoops!

Anyways, I was one of Twilight's first friends when she moved to Ponyville from Canterlot. ~~If she hasn't told you that, Canterlot's the capitol of Equestria where Princess Cele~~

Sounds like she got all that covered. Sorry!

Anyways, the reason I'm writing to you was because I couldn't help overhear my friend writing about a birthday, and being the awesometastic friend I am, I rush over to see if she needed any help with anything. She said she didn't, but I couldn't help but want to see who she was writing to, so I looked over at the letter she was writing last night and I guess I knew too much from that.

Please don't be mad at nosy old me! Throwing parties is one of my favorite things to do, and I would just feel awful if I couldn't help throw someone a birthday party if I could help it! But according to Twilight, you live on a whole, other world from us! I even saw your pictures and everything! Your world looks crazy, and I would love to get to make friends with a human from another world such as yourself!

Even if I can't come to your world to throw you a party or if you can't come to our world to let me throw you a party, I'd still like to be a good friend and do something for you! According to your letters, your birthday's next month.

WOOHOO!!

Made it just in the nick of time! Tell you what. I can send you a cake! Everyone loves cake on their birthdays, right? Even humans? I sure hope so! Please write back soon!

~~Love,~~

Twilight also just reminded me that you're going to the library for her and Spike. ~~Could you get me~~

Oopsies! You probably won't get this until you get back! That's okay, I can wait until your next trip back!

Hear from you soon!
Pinkie Pie

Moon 3063, Day 27

Toby,

Thanks a lot for these. Like I said, I’m still working on your history books, and humanity’s really starting to build their civilization up really quickly! And now that you mention it, I would love to take those science books off your hands! I can’t exactly get a fuller picture of your world if I don’t know how it actually came to be!

In that case, you may want to put my library books on hold, as all these textbooks will already be a handful. I mean, I may finish them by the end of the weekend, but still, I don’t want you getting fined for late fees because of me.

If you could send those in your next letter, I’d be most appreciative.

Thanks again,
Twilight

________________________________________________

Hey Toby,

Thanks for the new book. I’ll get started on it right away.

Spike

________________________________________________

Dear Toby,

Thanks so much for the cookbook and the drinkbook (you can’t cook drinks, silly (unless you flambé them, but I doubt all the drinks will make you do that)).

Also, I’m glad you mentioned that other thing, because alcohol is typically saved up for fancy-schmancy parties like up in Canterlot or the nicer parts of Manehattan, and pretty much everywhere in Las Pegasus, but I typically don’t spike my punches for my parties, so thanks for letting me know that.

The only other thing I don’t get is why your sister would send you a book like that as a joke! What’s so funny about a thoughtful gift of a drinkbook from a family member? I tend to find lots of things funny, but even I’m stumped. Perhaps you can fill me in on the joke in your next letter!

Looking forward to hearing back from you!

Your friend,
Pinkie Pie

P.S. This is Twilight again. I’m more than ready to share your existence to my other friends. Heck, if you’re up to it, I’ll share your existence with the princesses first. I mean, that will pretty much have to include the rest of my friends and family for that matter, but again, whatever you feel comfortable with.

Moon 3063, Day 27

Toby,

That sounds perfectly alright with me, and I’m happy to hear about the response from your other pen pal. Don’t worry about me, your homework is far more important. In fact, that will give me plenty of time to get a lot done on all these books you sent me.

Speaking of, I’m starting to get a better understanding over why you wanted me to be cautious about human history, but so far, it’s nothing that seems out of the ordinary for a relatively primitive and archaic society. I can probably assume that things could get worse from here, but I’m willing to muscle through in the name of research.

Talk to you tomorrow,
Twilight

P.S. Spike has been virtually locked up in his room all day. I have a feeling that book you picked out for him was a real winner!

________________________________________________

Hey Toby,

Thanks for the info there! I’ve been known to throw a pretty wild party myself, but if ponies are acting too wild and spoiling other ponies fun, I guess that’s really no fun at all!

Also, Twilight told me about your other pen-pal and that assignment of yours! That sounds really neat! Well, I’d hate to get between two creatures making friends with one another, so you go and enjoy yourselves!

Hear from you later!
Pinkie Pie

Moon 3063, Day 28

Dear Toby,

I know we talked about it briefly before, but I have to imagine that you have to have seen at least one other movie since we talked about The Visit. Or maybe there’s something you’re looking forward to seeing? Or maybe there’s something that you saw earlier this year that you really liked.

I mean, I’m more than happy to discuss our literature to each other, but stories are still stories, even if they’re projected onto a screen rather than written on a page.

I know you’re anxious about revealing my existence to others of your kind, but surely you have friends and family of your own? I remember you saying you had a sister, and she seems like a bit of a prankster based on that story with the drinkbook you gave Pinkie Pie. I’m not sure, I’m just trying to give you suggestions. I too would hate for our talks to go stale after just a couple of weeks.

Either way, I’ll talk with you tomorrow morning.

Sincerely,
Twilight

9/21/15

Dear Twilight,

I was thinking about it last night in bed, and in all fairness, I suppose it’s not that I feel like our conversations are going stale, it’s just that ~~I want to actually~~

Okay, this is just going to sound weird no matter how I write it (which will only reinforce my point here), but I really want to talk with you. Like, sit down face to face and actually have a nice chat. As much as I enjoy our writing to each other, I’ve been going to bed lately feeling disappointed that we’ve only been able to have one fraction of a brief conversation per day.

I want to be able to say a sentence or two and have you respond back right away, heck, even interrupt me if needed. Ever since I sent you those history textbooks, I kind of wish I could have been sitting near you to answer any questions that you could have answered immediately. I always kind of had the fear that you would have read something that would have really revolted you, and you would have been forced to stew on it until I responded, if at all anytime soon.

I don’t want to go on a rant here, so what I’m trying to say is that I don’t mind talking about books and stories and stuff. I love books and stories and things, but I’d honestly love nothing more than to actually talk about them if at all possible rather than write a couple hundred words about them in my free time and then send them to you when I happen to be near my mailbox.

I mean, I don’t want to stop that either, but if we can find a way to make some form of conversation as well, I would just love that. Sorry if I sounded super up-front or needy about this, especially so out of the blue, but this is just how I’m feeling about it at the moment.

I hope you understand. Thank you so much for your friendship, Twilight. I truly do appreciate it.

~~L~~Sincerely,
Toby

Moon 3063, Day 29

Dear Toby,

I completely understand what you’re feeling, but as your friend, I really just ~~n~~ want you to take a step back and take it easy. I don’t mean to come off as rude if I do, and I don’t want it to look like I’m trying to put you down hard, but it is important that we take this slowly.

I do know of a method of communication that can allow us to contact each other far more directly and efficiently, but I must warn you that in order for us to write to each other this way, I must inform the princesses of your existence. This is not a common means of writing to one another on our world, and only the princesses can sanction such a magical means of communication.

As I’ve said before, they would have no issues about knowing of or learning about you and your kind, but the chances of our ~~rela~~ friendship staying as private as it is (sans Spike and Pinkie Pie, of course) will be much slimmer from that point on, and I just want you to prepare for anything that may come from that.

Knowing this, do I have your permission to share your existence with the princesses? Obviously, I don’t want you to answer right away. In fact, I’d prefer you take a day or two to think this over if this is truly what you want, but if it is, and you’re comfortable with whatever decision you make, please let me know.

Sincerely,
Twilight

9/23/15

Twilight,

That's good to hear. If you're finished with those history books, I can take those back from you if you like (unless you think sharing a little of our history with the princesses will be important to them too). If so, I'm not too worried about leaving them with you. However, I would like to hear your opinions on any of those other books I got you if you've gotten around to reading them.

Sorry, just realized how pushy I may have sounded there, but I didn't want to cross it off if you didn't take that the wrong way. Also, how are you doing, Spike? How's Madeleine L'Engle treating you? A little better than Burroughs, I hope?

Anyways, I've got a little homework to do tonight, so I may not be able to write a response back until tomorrow morning before I head to class. I'll still check on the mailbox before I go to bed in case I hear from you or the princesses, and I'll be sure to send as legible and well-thought out a letter to them once I've gotten a good night's sleep.

Talk to you tomorrow!

Sincerely,
Toby

Moon 3064, Day 1

Dear Toby Cray,

This is Princess Celestia of Equestria. Twilight has spent the better part of this day explaining to my sister and I about your existence. I was also rather tickled to be able to see the appearance of your latest letter firsthand, and I'm very much amazed by this phenomenon, as well as my sister. I'm not certain how this could have happened, but for the time being, I'll let this anomaly be for discretion's sake.

I've also read all your letters to Twilight, as well as Spike and Pinkie Pie up until this point, and I've seen the picture you sent to her, and you seem like an exceptionally nice, friendly creature. Though I'm sure there are just as friendly humans such as yourself out there in your world, my sister and I shall respect your wishes to keep Equestria's existence private from your kind, and you can do so at your own leisure.

I've also read some of the numerous notes Twilight had made during the reading of your history books. Your history is quite colorful to say the very least, but rest assured. The fact that you've formed such a clear bond with my former student in the span of just a couple of weeks only serves as a testament to how strong the ideals of friendship must still be on your world. In any case, Twilight has finished reading your textbooks and should have no further need for them. They will be returned to you with this letter.

Before I can send you one of the two journals you and Twilight intend to communicate through, all I shall need from you is a signature; simply something to prove your approval of receiving one and to prove on our end that we sanctioned both of these journals to you. You said that you may not respond until the morning, but given your scholarly schedule, I should imagine that you shall receive your journal by the time you return home tomorrow afternoon.

I look forward to hearing back from you Toby, and thank you so very much for the friendship you've shown to Twilight and the others.

Sincerely,
Princess Celestia

P.S. Spike wanted to respond to your inquiry from your last letter.

________________________________________________

Hey Toby,

I really enjoyed that last book you gave me! I think you're right about that being a "happy medium" (nice pun by the way!). Looking forward to writing to you at the same time!

Spike