Chapters Does Ponyville Ever Cross Your Mind
This story opens on a dark and snowy night. It is winter in Equestria and heavy snow clouds block out the moon's light. Big clumps of snow fall from the sky giving the night air a gray hue. Down on the streets orange light from fires reflect off of the snow, making the down a beacon in the dark. Almost all of the buildings had a warm glow about them, all except for the old Oak Library. A single candle could be seen from the outside, but no other light, and it is because of me, that our story begins.
Twilight sat in the dark reading by the light of her single candle. The fire she had lit early had long since died, but due to her book, she hardly noticed. Usually Spike would keep the fire going since Twilight was to distracted, but he ha gone to the dragon lands for the winter. Twilight closed her book and looked around. "Oops, guess I got to deep into my book." She giggled to herself and made her way to the fireplace. Using her magic she lit the logs and soon the library was glowing like all the other houses. She walked back to her chair but noticed the mail on the floor in front of the door.
"Boy was I distracted, I didn't even notice Derpy dropped off the mail." She floated the mail above her and over to her desk where she could read them. "Let see, a letter from Spike, newsletter from town hall, hmm what is this." She held up a plain brown envelope. "It's addressed to me, but..." she looked and return address. "I don't know any one from Hotchkick." She opened it and a letter came out.
"Hello Twilight Sparkle,
"Oh yeah, that was one of the last lectures I attended before Celestia sent me here." She returned her attention to the letter.
"I am doing a lecture in Canterlot next month on traditional Hearth's Warming clothes and I was wondering if you had any books at your library on this topic. If you do please send them to the address on the letter. If not, no worries. Also the this letter will act as general admission for you to the lecture if you wish to attend. Best wishes, Brushy Bill." Twilight smiled.
"Ooo a lecture, I haven't attended on in a long time." She looked back down at the letter. "Traditional Hearth's Warming Clothes...hm maybe in the fashion section." She began walking to the fashion section and stopped half way. "Fashion..." Twilight sighed. To her left was table full of books and scrolls. She turned and began looking through it. Eventually, she found a picture frame. In it was all her friends but she focused in on one, Rarity. "Rarity," Twilight whispered. The fire flickered in the corner causing a pop and startling her out of her thoughts. Shaking her head she put down the picture. "Focus Twilight. Hearth's Warming, Brushy Bill." She walked towards the fashion section.
"Let's see, A, B, C...G H!" She looked through the H's but was unable to find it. "It should be right here, between Hearts and Hooves dresses, and Healthy Exercise clothes." Twilight reached between the two books and pulled out not a book but a scroll. "What the heck is this?" She unrolled it. It was a note from Rarity! Twilight squeaked and lost concentration causing the scroll to roll up, drop and roll away. She knew it was from Rarity, it had to of been her writing. Twilight slowly crept towards the scroll and levitated it up. Bringing it closer to her face she inspected it. It was faint but there was the scent of Rarity's perfume. "Must be old to have such a faint smell. She use to where so much...perfume." Twilight looked over to her work table. "When we were together she would sit at that table all day. Even when she left I could still smell her perfume." She looked back to the scroll. She took a deep breath and unrolled it. The writing was definitely that of Rarity's. Twilight read it out loud.
"Hello sweet heart X,
"To my true love, a magical Hearth's Warming and to many more." Twilight sighed and put down the photo. "But there weren't any more." She went back to looking for books to send Brushy Bill and found a few. Every time she found a new she'd bring it to the table and glance down at the picture before shaking her heard and continuing her search. After finding the last book she decided to sit and read it. It did not take long before she had fallen asleep at her desk.
The morning brought the sun and with the freshly fallen snow, a bright light shown through the library's window hitting Twilight in the face. She slowly raised her head and looked around. "Guess I fell asleep." She closed the book she was reading. "I better get these to Brushy Bill." She yawned and began collecting all of the books she had pulled and placed them into a box. Again her eyes strayed to the picture of her and Rarity. Every time she felt her heart skip a beat, and then sink. There were happy memories in that picture, but they had soured knowing how it ended. To Twilight it was like reading a great book already knowing the end was terrible. She could no longer enjoy the story knowing how it all ends. Twilight returned her attention to he package of books and sealed it. With a flash of magic she sent it off to the pegasus post.
"Well that's done, I can get back to my work." She looked over to the book she was reading yesterday before the fire had gone out. "Oh yeah I finished that one." She walked over to her work desk to begin taking notes and writing about what she had learned. Like the previous day, it distracted her till the fire went out that evening. The last ember popped switching Twilight's focus from her papers, to the fire.
"Not again." She rolled her eyes and walked back to fire to relight it. Like the previous night it was a simple task. The fire lit up the room and when Twilight turned around, there was that picture again. She almost ignored it and returned to her desk, but stopped half way there and went back to it. Using her magic she levitated it over to her chair. The picture sat on the side table as Twilight made herself a cup of tea before sitting down. After taking a sip she picked it up and stared at it. Again heart skipped and sank in an instant. "The story was so good, almost perfect," she sighed, "But the ending hurts to much." She put the photo back down and took another sip, thinking back on her and Rarity's story. Looking at her reflection in the tea cup, Twilight began to wonder, "Was the ending really so terrible?"
Author's Note
Hello y'all
Does Ponyville Ever Cross Your Mind
All stories have a beginning. Good or bad we have to start somewhere. Twilight thought about her and Rarity's story. It began on her first day in Ponyville of course we all know that, but when did the story change. Twilight looked out the window. "It started the same way it ended, cold and gray"
3 years ago
Rarity was running around the town, taking the Fall aesthetic hoping it would inspire her Autumn line of clothes. Piles of leaves, bare trees, colors of orange, red and brown, it was all so exciting. She came to the library. "I really should check in on Twilight. She's been working to hard since Nightmare Night. She could use a break." Rarity knocked on the door and hummed to herself. Twilight opened the door.
"Oh hello, Rarity," she smiled
"Hello darling, I half expected Spike to answer the door."
"Nope, the moment the weather changed he was off to the Dragon Lands. Just me and my books." Rarity peered in and saw the stacks of book Twilight had built around her desk.
"Darling, I think you need a break. Why without Spike here it seems you've gone a little overboard." Twilight looked back at her books.
"I guess I have," she looked back to her friend, "What'd you have in mind?"
"Well I am trying to get inspired for my Fall line and you need to relax, so lets do a little Autumn date, go get tea and coffee, a desert, jump into a pile of leaves, wrap up in a warm scarf. Ooo there is so much we could do to inspire me." Rarity beamed with excitement. Twilight however got hung up and lost on the word date.
"Like a date date?" she questioned.
"Well not a date date. Just two friends enjoying each others company and having a fine time in Autumn." Rarity smiled back shyly. Twilight smiled and floated her scarf to herself.
"Sounds fun Rarity." They walked away from the library and into town. Many other ponies were walking close together, enjoying the Autumn air. "Looks like every pony is out and about," Twilight said looking around.
"Autumn is one of the best times to be out in Ponyville. Best demonstrated by our first stop." Twilight looked up and saw they had come to Sugar Cube Corner. They walked in and on display was a wide variety of pumpkin and apple based desserts.
"HI GUYS!" Pinkie Pie called from behind the counter.
"Hey Pinkie." Twilight looked over all the seasonal foods. "What you recommend?" Rarity opened her mouth but was cut off by Pinkie Pie.
"Wellllllll, I personally like the pumpkin roles, but the apple crisp muffins are also good, the caramel apple tart it to die for, ooo ooo, the pumpkin cheese cake melts in your mouth, and-" Rarity cut her off.
"Thank you darling, we'll split a pumpkin roll." Rarity floated over some bits.
"Okey dokey lokey." She served up a plate with a pumpkin role cut in half. It was spongy orange cake with a swirl of white cream cheese frosting in the center. Rarity and Twilight walked over to a table and started in on their piece.
"Wow Rarity this is really good. There's walnuts in the frosting. I usually don't like nuts with my desserts but these add something."
"I knew you would like it!" Rarity clapped her hooves. "Just you wait Twilight Sparkle, I am going to show you all the fun Fall things one can do in Ponyville." And so she did. They played in leaf piles, got hot tea, looked at decor and more. By the time their adventure had ended sun was low, giving the gray air an orange tint. They were outside of the library reminiscing about their day.
"That was a lot of fun Rarity. Thank you." Twilight smiled smiled sweetly.
"You're most welcome darling. I am glad you enjoyed it." She smiled back but Twilight's eyes caught hers and kept them. Something about them spoke to her. They stood there for a second, looking at each other with expressions of surprise and curiosity. Their faces slowly moved closer to each other. Twilight spoke quietly,
"Are you, um feeling inspired?" Rarity responded softly,
"I think I am..." The two mares met in a kiss. Not overly romantic or sensual, but sweet and simple, as all first kisses should be.
Present
"It was perfect. And it stayed perfect for almost two years." She looked down at the photo. "We celebrated two Hearth's Warmings together... now this will be my 2nd without her." Twilight got up and made her way up the stairs, towards the mini observatory she had made when she first arrived. There was a scarf hanging just outside the door. She wrapped herself in it and went out into the snowy cold air. The air was crisp and felt good. Looking around she saw all the houses glowing in the night. One off in the corner was dark. The Carousel Boutique now sat quite empty and cold. Twilight stared out at it and a shiver ran through her. Not a cold one, but a painful and sad.
"It ended there."
Author's Note
Hello y'all,
Does Ponyville Ever Cross Your Mind
Twilight stared out at the dark building. Without anypony there, the snow had piled up around it making it look even more untouched. A flurry of snow whirled around making the tattered flag fly for a second. Bad memories began to stir, and Twilight looked away. "Why didn't I say anything? I should've told her right then." she looked back. "I should've told her not to go."
One Year Ago
"Just a minute" she heard Rarity call back in a sing-song voice. It made her smile. The door opened revealing Rarity all put together as usual. "Hello my darling. Please please come in, oh you'll catch cold out there." Rarity hurried her and closed the door. Twilight kissed her marefriend's cheek.
"Hello my beautiful." Rarity smiled and together they walk into the main room of the building. Unlike its usual organized chaos, it was very neat and organized. "So? What did you want to talk about?" Twilight asked smiling. "You know you can interrupt my studies if you want to talk."
"Oh yes dear, but this requires a focused talk...just the two of us." Rarity looked uneasy. She was a hard pony to read but after dating for a while Twilight had picked up on a few things. This definitely wasn't about holiday outfits.
"Ok" Twilight responded warily. Rarity floated over her couch and they both took a seat. Rarity let out a sigh.
"Ok, so my boutique up in Canterlot has been getting a lot of attention as of late, and recently a high profile designer came and loved what they saw. They are currently working on a touring line for the biggest names in Equestria, and..." she hesitated.
"And?" Twilight asked, a slight hint of fear in her voice. A fear of where this was going.
"And they have asked me to also design for the tour."
"That's great Rarity! What an amazing opportunity!" Rarity silently nodded. "What's wrong?" Rarity looked over to her organized desk.
"I will have to leave Ponyville." There was a silence in the boutique that had never been heard.
"Oh..h-h-how long?" Twilight asked, "Like until the tour is over?" Rarity shook her head.
"It would be a fulltime thing so, forever. I would have to move. I...I wanted to ask you what I should do." Twilight didn't know what to say. "I know that you need to stay hear for your studies and I don't want to leave you without hearing what you have to say. If I go, I need to be there before Hearth's Warming" Twilight's mind was racing faster than it ever had, and that is saying something for her. She wanted to say
'No! Stay here with me! You can do all that and still be here.' But looking around Twilight realized that Rarity had already had packed many of her things. 'I can't tell her not to go...this is her dream. To design for the most famous ponies in Equestria.' Twilight looked to her marefriend. She was sitting there waiting for Twilight to say something. 'I think she's already decided.' Twilight thought, taking into account the packing, how soon she needed to leave, and the timing of this conversation. Twilight smiled though it was not sincere.
"Rarity, this is your dream. How can I tell you not to go, this is a huge opportunity for you. I think you will do great things." Those words hurt to say, but she said them believing it was best for the pony she loved.
"But what about you?" Rarity asked. "You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me, if you don't want me to go just say so and I'll stay." Tears started falling from Twilight's eyes.
"I can't just say that Rarity, how could I feel happy here with you, knowing you gave up your dream for me? Wouldn't you forever question 'What if I went?" She stood up and hugged Rarity. Twilight pulled away and began walking to the door. "This was a dream Rarity, but not your dream." She smiled as she opened the door. "Thank you Rarity, I hope it is all you ever wished for."
Present Day
Twilight found herself staring out at the boutique. The winter night air made the tears streaming down her face cold. "I did say something." She sniffled "And I told her to go." She hung her head and walked back into the library. The fire was still lighting up the study area. All the memories, good and bad were swirling in Twilight's head. She finally got back to her desk and stared at her notes. She couldn't focus. Her eyes kept straying, but it wasn't to the photo. It was to the quills and scrolls. An urge was flowing through her hooves. "Ok I'll write to her."
Making the decision was easier than doing it. After getting a blank scroll, she had sat their for 15 minutes just staring. "I don't even know where to begin...last time I spoke to her was that night. Where do I even start?" She stared for a few more minutes. "Ok let's just start with 'Hello Rarity." Just that greeting was enough to set off her mind.
Does Ponyville Ever Cross Your Mind
Does Ponyville...Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?
The city of Canterlot was full of light. Every shop in the downtown was bustling with excited ponies getting their Hearth's Warming outfits for the year. Two ponies walked out a of building shaped like a massive carousel, and behind them a white unicorn mare locked the door and put up the closing sign. Rarity sighed with relief, happy that she was done for the day. "Heavens, what a busy time," she shook her head as she approached her desk, "I haven't even had time go through the week's mail." Piled high on the desk was a stack packages and envelopes that had been delivered through out the week. "Guess now is as good a time as ever to get to it."
Rarity turned off the lights in the front and sat with a small light on her desk. There was a Hearth's Warming present from her sister Sweetie Belle, a holiday card from Pinkie pie, and a plethora of greetings cards from her clients and friends. She came to the last letter in the pile. There was no return address on it and no name. "Odd," Rarity thought out loud. Using her magic she carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the paper, the first line read 'Hello Rarity.' The unicorn gasped and dropped the letter. She recognized the handwriting immediately; it was that of Twilight, her old marefriend.
Rarity stared at the piece of paper on the desk for several minutes. Her heart was swirling with confusing emotions, one part hurt and anger, the other part was sad and hopeful. She stood up from her desk and walked away. "Why would she write to me? It doesn't make sense." Looking back at the desk brought out he angry emotions. "She wasn't even there when I left. I was alone, why wasn't she there? She's the one who told me to go." The sad emotions crept in. "Why did she tell me go?" Finally the hope appeared and she walked back to her desk. Taking a deep breath she opened the letter back up and began to read.
"Hello Rarity,
"I know you're probably confused at this point about why I am writing. Well I have been thinking about the night you left or more like I left you. I know I burned a bridge and I'm sure you have as well in your spare time. But thinking about that made me realize I have good memories with you, and those don't fade so easily." Rarity let smile escape her lips.
"She's rambling," she giggled.
"You left me here to be in Canterlot, but I now know that I had hurt you at the time by telling you to go. I'm wondering selfishly now if it makes a difference but. Does Ponyville, no do I ever cross your mind?" At the bottom was Twilight's signature and the sentence "Because you are always on my mind." Attached at the bottom of the letter was the picture of her and Twilight all dress up for Hearth's Warming. Rarity put down the letter and stared at the picture. The happiness she felt when staring at it was more than she had felt since moving her business to Canterlot. Rarity brought the picture close to her and sighed happily.
"She still thinks of me."
Ponyville
It had been several week since Twilight had sent her letter to Canterlot, and ever since she had not been able to focus on anything. Hearth's Warming was a week away and she had hardly decorated the library. It was around noon that she was putting up red ribbons and some holly leaves when their came a knock at her door. Twilight jumped rushed to the door hoping it was the mail. She opened the door and was blinded for a second by the sun shinning off the snow. Her eyes adjusted and saw the mail pegasus standing there with a single envelope.
"Thank you!' she squealed, quickly took the letter and closed the door. Upon looking at the letter her heart immediately sank. She held the same envelope that she had sent out; on it was a big stamped 'Return to sender.' Twilight sighed.
"I knew it would probably be to good to be true." She placed the letter on her desk and began to climb the stairs to her room. Right as Twilight reached the top step there was another knock at the door. She didn't want to go back down, she assumed it was just more mail. Again came a knock. She waited for the mail to just be pushed through the slot, but again came the knocks. The purple mare rolled her eyes and walked down the stairs. "What could be so important that it can't wait?" She opened the door blinded again, "What did you forget?" she grumbled. A sweet voice responded.
"You darling." Twilight's heart stopped. She looked harder as her eyes adjusted. Standing before her was Rarity wrapped in a scarf topped off with a hat.
"R-R-Rarity," her name stumbled out of Twilight's mouth. Rarity smiled at her.
"Can I come in?" Twilight could only nod and stare as the white unicorn walked in. Rarity took off her hat and scarf and turned to face Twilight.
"How are you darling?"
"How am I? I send you a letter 3 weeks ago you respond with a return to sender then just show up? I don't know how I feel!" Twilight cried.
"Twilight...didn't you read the letter." Twilight's eyes looked over to the envelope and Rarity's eyes followed. Slowly Twilight floated it over to her self and opened it up. It was the letter she had sent. She peaked up at Rarity for second then back to the letter. It was all the same, but at the bottom was a kiss mark and next to it was written one word 'Yes'. Twilight let the letter slowly flutter to the floor as she stared at Rarity. Their eye's were locked in to each other's. Finally Twilight asked,
"Why are you here Rarity?" Rarity smiled sweetly at her and walked towards her.
"Because, darlin," she got close and whispered in Twilight's ear, "I'm feeling inspired."
Author's Note
Hello Y'all