A day for literature in Canterlot.
My name is Snowy Haze, and I am a courier in the Canterlot Delivery Service. It was another sunny day, and another standard morning in the capital. That would be the normal thing too, except that it was Friday, which meant that the newest novel of the, in my opinion, talented writer C.W Step was coming out. It was called The Princess of the Knight, and she would be presenting it at a booth at the Equestrian Writer’s Convention. I was filled with glee over this fact and, for once, did not curse Celestia's radiant sun for invading and disrupting my dreams. I blinked my golden eyes open and got up, shaking out my coat and feathers before heading into the shower.
As I trotted down the stairs of my modest yet oh so cozy home a small half hour later, my eyes immediately focused onto the welcoming mat as usual. I hung my head after few seconds as there was no mail or any letters to be seen there, yet again.
"Aww, well maybe after work I'll be popular," I nickered, chuckling at my own humor before turning to my kitchen for a quick breakfast.
As a pegasus my home had various furniture and appliances made with cloud technology, simply because it was more affordable on a mere courier's paycheck, but also because they were pretty light and thus easy to move around when I got bored with the layout of my home, I shook out my freshly showered white coat and whipped my still damp blue mane out of my eyes. All in all life was good, and this morning would be too once I remembered where I had left the carrots I brought back yesterday evening.
Rummaging through various cabinets a slight frown found its way onto my face and I vocally started to retrace my steps from the last evening.
"Let's see... I came back from my last rounds of bringing packages and went by the market, bought a bushel of carrots, then went home and dropped off my saddlebags. But I was tired and headed into my bedroom, bringing the carrots with me, and grabbed that newest issue of Cosmare..." I said, a crimson flush washing over my cheeks as I suddenly remembered with full clarity where one of the carrots had gone and what I had been reading, "The rest should still be on my nightstand."
Well that teaches me to play with my food.
With that mystery cleared up and the other three carrots now safely being kept in my stomach, I guessed I should head out to the daily grind also known as work. I grabbed my saddlebags with my teeth and deftly swung them over my back, neatly avoiding my wings before leaning down and strapping them shut with a practiced motion that had been the result of several years of doing it. I then stepped out into the warm sunlight and closed the door to my apartment, slipping the keys into my bag before spreading my wings wide and leaping off the edge of the floor my home was on. I beat my wings strongly a few times before finding a thermal updraft to glide on, instead of having to flap all the time.
I really did hope to go about my rounds fast today, as the reveal of Miss Step's book would be held later this afternoon, the event taking place at the Canterlot Convention Centre. But first things first bringing around the many parcels and packages that would undoubtedly be waiting for me at the gathering point as they were every day. It saved a lot of time for couriers like me to not having to fly to the main building every time something needed to be delivered. No, for what it was worth, gathering points like we used were a goddess sent, and today was no different at all. My heart sank immediately seeing the amount of items that had to be delivered and I cursed softly under my breath. My mother would not be proud of me if she had heard those particular lines.
Later in the afternoon and a whole lot of parcels lighter I finally arrived at what would be the last address of the day. Incidentally, it was also the address that would provide me with a late lunch. Sunridge Sweets was famous for its treats and great hospitality, run by Pepper Ridge and Sunbeam, a couple that simply loved to produce fine food and service. Often they were helped out by their daughter, yet at this hour only Sunbeam seemed to be around.
As I trotted up to the counter and gently placed the last parcel down she turned to me and offered a jovial smile.
"Thank you for the delivery as always honey," the elderly mare praised, before nodding towards a shelf, "I suppose you would like your usual order of a shake and two strawberry bagels?”
I nodded eagerly at her and returned the smile instantly. I had been fond of the motherly mare ever since I first set hoof inside the little bakery..
"Yes please Mrs. Sunbeam, that would just be lovely."
I then looked at the shelf in anticipation as she packed two of the bagels, then poured my drink into a cup with a lid before stuffing it all into a small bag and setting it in front of me.
"That will be seven bits," she told me and chuckled softly, "And you know Snowy that you can just call me Sunbeam right? Everypony does."
She gave me a soft little glare without even the tiniest trace of malice. This pony was the kind that would very rarely, if ever, be vicious.
Lowering my ears sheepishly I stuck my head into my saddlebags and placed seven bits on top of the counter before answering meekly, "Yes Sunbeam. It's just my upbringing you know? My mother raised a polite filly."
I then took the bag in my mouth and turned to leave for the convention as Sunbeam waved a hoof after me, smiling the whole time.
After eating my lunch I flew across the skies of Canterlot as fast as my wings would carry me, excitement bursting through my veins as I neared the convention centre. From what I heard, the newest novel was about a knight of the guard and the princess he was responsible for. Save to say I was beyond eager to get a signed copy of it from the mare who wrote it herself.
Imagine my shock and absolute awe when none other than the very diarch of the night, Princess Luna, was present at the convention. I had not known that Her Royal Highness was a fan of Miss Step's novels as well. Though upon closer inspection the book's cover art looked frighteningly similar to our very Princess and the very serious almost glaring royal guard that flanked her.
Seriously, that pegasus guard looked like he could tear me apart by simply looking at me. So I did my best to not enter his field of vision instead waiting at the current end of the line like a good little mare. Gasps were heard as the pegasus in question started to interrogate Miss Step about her pen name and I face hooved hard enough to make me move back one or two steps.
"Did he really just ask her if she is a criminal?" I mumbled more to myself than to anypony else.
I rolled my eyes when I spotted a pony who had fainted near me. What a drama queen.
Luckily the Princess took it more lightly and I heard her admonish her protector nervously.
“Nay, Silent Knight," she said, "Authors are celebrities, and they don’t have overzealous house guards to protect them.”
With her other hoof, she tapped the book.
“If you could just make that out to Luna.”
Wow, just Luna? What an honor. Miss Step slipped the apparent house guard a copy too with a smile and whispered something to him. I simply shrugged, thinking what a scary pony that Silent Knight was.
After a moment or two it was finally my turn, my mouth running dry as I stepped closer and nervously offered her my own copy of The Mare's Temptation to sign while picking up a copy of her newest novel. As she signed the book I had brought, she smiled at me, a smile I would cherish forever.
"Here you go," she said and I nearly fainted on the spot myself.
Who was the drama queen now, little pegasus?
I stammered a thank you as I placed my book back into my saddlebag and looked at her.
"I am a huge fan and you totally made my week," I said, and I meant it.
This was an event that I would not soon forget. I made room for the next pony in line and turned towards the exit with both my prizes in my saddlebags and happiness in my heart, finally on my way home.
Author's Note
Well here it is, my very first official novel written online, please don't be too harsh with your judgement is all I ask.
Crystal Wishes and Sunbeam are created by Crystal Wishes.
Silent Knight is created by Anzel.
I hope you enjoy my story and see you next time. Sincerely, Snow.
