Faithfully Yours

                                                                                                                                                      10th October

Dearest Fluttershy

How are you keeping? I am somewhat saddened that you have yet to respond to my letters, but you should know that I am not blaming you, nor will I ever. I know you too well to succumb to petty bitterness. Rather, I have put down your lack of correspondence to the frightful amount of work that must be upon you as a farm pony. I am pleased to say that I haven't suffered that fate myself; Braeburn has worked hard to keep me in the lifestyle to which I am accustomed, and his efforts have paid off - Flimflam have invested in the acres and hired a brand new workforce for my husband to command. Of course one has the utmost respect for the traditional farmers, but stepping into the modern world requires certain changes to one's methods.

Oh dear, I hope I'm not sounding condescending. Celestia knows I'm hopeless when it comes to outdoor work, but you of course are a natural. I suppose I'm just grateful that I haven't had to compromise who I am upon marrying an Apple - you can imagine life in Appleloosa has taken some getting used to. And of course I'm a little upset that your work kept you from attending my wedding. I do so miss our weekly get-togethers, Fluttershy.

But I know I mustn't dwell on the past, nor must I bore you with details about my wedding, as I have found myself doing in my last letters to you (Maybe that is why you don't respond, and for that I wouldn't blame you). The fact is, I am making progress. I have re-established my business with relatively few setbacks. True enough, it was somewhat difficult to set up decent regular importation for my resources at first, given the remoteness of our town, but the Flimflam reorganisation of the cotton and silk industry has straightened that out since then, and business is booming in Appleloosa, which - let's face it - was gagging for the expertise of a fashion designer. I've become something of a celebrity amongst the Appleloosan mares, and just this week I was voted chairmare of the local ladies club. It offers the kind of small-town distractions you might expect - bridge nights, barbecues, campaigning for the royal protection of disadvantaged farm foals, fundraising for new local facilities with baking contests and raffles and the like. It certainly doesn't compare to confronting dragons or wielding the elements of harmony, but I have big plans for the club, and if the money continues to roll in, we might get a foot in the door of the Manehatten Mare's institute, or even that of Canterlot, provided my old connections aren't too repelled by my new 'farmer's wife' status. Only time will tell, I expect.

I feel that way about a lot of things these days. Like so many aspects of the future have become shrouded with uncertainty, and I'm to just keep my head down and get on with my new life if I am to stand any chance. My last letter from Rainbow Dash informed me that Twilight is still in Canterlot on Royal business. Mind you, that was almost a month ago, and even a blossoming celebrity like Rainbow doesn't seem to have much insight into goings-on at Canterlot. Whatsmore, I gather there has been no news of Applejack? Your husband refused to elaborate at all on this elopement of hers when he came over for our wedding, and what little information that has filtered through the Apple family since then is being kept from me most efficiently. The throng we've married into are certainly a cagey bunch. If you ever find the time to write to me, I implore you to provide me with a full report on everything that has happened since I moved away. You must understand I hear nothing in this charming little town of ours.

Once again, send my love to Pinkie, Granny Smith and my two other hardworking cousins.

All my love

Rarity xxx