Pen Pals

by KrisSnow

Rating: everyone
Tags: Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 1516

An exchange of letters, many centuries ago.

A short piece about a friend from Celestia's childhood, who helped to teach her honesty. Told in the form of letters.

Published 2012-06-25 07:04:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-06-25 07:04:02 UTC

Chapter 1

The Pen Pal Paddock gave me your name, so I thought I'd write to you. Sunny Skies, eh? Are you a pegasus? I am! I live in Cloudsdale, so I've probably seen your house from up above. Have you always been in Canterlot? I've gotta fly, so write back soon!
-Flurry

Hello, Flurry! It's wonderful to meet someone new. I really haven't been out much, since there's so much studying to do. I've got a younger sister to take care of too. How is life in Cloudsdale? You probably have a talent for weather, with a name like that! Do you have your mark yet?
-Sunny Skies

Oh yeah! Snowflake, naturally. Just got it last month after my parents let me try working in the snow lab one night, and I cranked out a bunch of new designs for this winter all by myself! Winter is the best season, I say. But you're probably a summer filly, huh? Something to do with sunshine and fresh air? I'm mostly indoors all day and then out flying in the evening, when I'm allowed. You didn't tell me if you're a pegasus or what. If you are, we can go flying together!
-Flurry

You'd like my sister, then! She's a natural night owl. Hasn't earned her mark yet, but a hundred bits says it'll be a moon. I like the mornings more myself. Congratulations about the snowflake work! I hope everyone's able to find what makes them special and get appreciated for it. I've always wondered about our names... Well, I hear there's a great view from Cloudsdale no matter what time of year it is. I'd love to visit all the lands beneath, but I've never even been outside the capital. At least there's magic to learn and a wonderful sister to keep me company. Tell me about your flying and everything, please!
-Sunny Skies

Ooh, magic? So you're a unicorn! That's cool too. I envy how you ponies can do so much with spells, mostly the little things like writing without having to chew on the pen. I'm so glad I'm not an earth pony though. They don't get anything! So what about you? What are your parents like? How is school down there?
-Flurry

I'm not sure how to tell you this, Flurry, but I'm actually not a unicorn. Sort of. It's complicated. I shouldn't have bragged about having magic. I really don't want to talk about my own family though, sorry. I just want to learn about people and make friends so I'm not just cooped up with books and other things I have to do.
-Sunny Skies

Come on! Being friends means you have to open up a little. You don't have to tell me everything, but I really don't feel like I know much about you yet. And how can you have magic if you're... an earth pony? A unicorn? I'm really confused. Must be some weird parents you've got!
-Flurry

My parents died when I was younger.
-Sunny Skies

Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to tease your or anything. Raising your sister all by yourself? It must be hard. If you'd rather stick to writing about Canterlot that's okay with me.
-Flurry

Are you still there? I really hope you're not mad at me.
-Flurry

Dear Flurry, I'm the one who should apologize. My life is complicated, but I'm blessed more than I can even explain. I have no right to snap at you about something that's not your fault at all. Tell me, what are your own friends like? I really don't have anyone my age, yet I see them walking by every day and wish I could go join them in school and other things. Having a pen pal is something special for me, so I value any chance at having a normal conversation.
-Sunny Skies

Sunny, I'm kind of worried for you if you can't go outside. Is something wrong besides what you've told me about? Can I help? Besides that... I hang out with other pegasi, of course. There's this one colt called Sundrop who thinks he can break the sound barrier once his wings fill out some more, and Nimbus who wants to be an explorer even though people think he's better at stomping rain clouds. Do you think our talents are something we can pick and change at all, or are we stuck with something that could be a stupid skill like looking good in jewelery or making candy canes?
-Flurry

Sometimes I wish I could change my mark. I really don't know if we get a choice at all, but by now I don't have one, and I ought to be grateful for how lucky I am. With my background I'm... going to be around for a long time, doing what I do. I can't say what, but it's my parents' old job. My sister will help once she's a better flyer... Oh dear, I've put my hoof in my mouth again, haven't I? And with all the "I"s and "me"s I must sound terrible. It's okay; I get to leave home every morning and get a good look around for a little while.
-Sunny Skies

I looked hard for you, Sunny. I flew out to Canterlot and checked your address, but it was just the post office. If you're not going to school and you... run the house yourself and you hardly get to leave home, something's gotta be wrong here. I've got a bad feeling about this.
-Flurry

And your worry is my fault again. I'm so new at this, I'm just bothering people and causing harm when I want to get along with people, like anyone normal. I'd really like it if you could come visit me. Take this letter with you, if you can fly out here again, and show it to the people at the address I'll put on the back...
-Sunny Skies

Wow. I just don't know what to say. So I looked like an idiot staring at the guards outside your... house. I didn't even show them the letter until they glared at me for standing too close. They never seem to smile or anything. Is that part of their job? I guess you'd know, because I showed them and they said this is for real. And then I flew off again with my brain somewhere in the clouds because it was all so crazy, me being pen pals with you of all ponies and not even calling you by your real name or title. What do you want? Should I start using your name? Do you have orders for me? I'm so confused about this.
-Flurry

No, no! I'd rather be Sunny Skies for you than anything else. I like the name better anyway. It's normal. My sister... well, you know her name by now... loves talking about our "destiny" and having people love us for what we have to do, but I can be up in the sky and feel like I'm miles away from anyone, forever. Do you want to visit again and actually come in? We'll have food, whatever you'd like, and we can talk about snowflakes.
-Sunny Skies

I have a better idea. Why don't you come to Cloudsdale this weekend? If you can.
-Flurry

I can't. Maybe when I'm older and I don't have to feel like I'm bullying the guards just to get outside. It must be intimidating, but I promise we'll have fun!
-Sunny Skies

You were right. It was scary to meet you, but it was great too. You should've told me sooner who you are! And take better care of that bird, will you? If I'm allowed to say that.
-Flurry

You're not just saying you had fun to please me, are you? Oh, and my bird is molting right now; she'll be fine in a bit.
-Sunny Skies

I'm not going to lie to you, Sunny. I'm a little mad that you didn't tell me up front, that you let me think you were really poor or that someone bad was keeping you locked in your house. And since you're letting me talk to you like this, I should say... In person, you're nice. And your mane is very pretty no matter what you say. If it's okay with you, I'd be happy to spend more time with you.
-Flurry

Dear Flurry, I'm honored to have you for a friend. You've taught me a thing or two about honesty. Since everyone's going to have to put up with me for a long time, I need all the lessons I can get. Why not visit again when you can, with your friends? You can meet my sister too -- she's just started helping me in the night, and saying she wishes more people liked the stars. You'd get along well!
-Sunny Skies - Your faithful student!

I'll be there with Sundrop and Nimbus in tow this weekend, as you command! (That's a joke.) It'll be the best night ever.
-Flurry, your forthright instructor.