You glance at the sky, and it’s obvious that Celestia will lower sun long before you finish work. It’s been a long day delivering mail in Canterlot. Your route contains a lot of entitled nobles who not only couldn’t care less about a hardworking pony like yourself, but who actively make life more difficult because it amuses them. One more cartload and you can go home for the night. You toss the last bag into the mail wagon, but it bounces off the edge and spills open.
You curse Celestia, Luna, and every other alicorn you can think of as you pick up all the letters before the wind can carry them away. Weekly circulars for Barnyard Bargains scatter to the winds, but there’s not much you can do about it. The flyers almost seem like they’re designed to take off in the slightest breeze. Maybe that’s why they call them ‘flyers’ in the first place. You can’t help but chuckle, despite your situation. It’s not the end of the world, truthfully it’s not even the worst thing you’ve dealt with today.
There’s a lot of money in Canterlot, which is hammered home by the number of postmarks from popular vacation destinations: Neighagara Falls, Baytona Beach, Abyssinia. Nobles bragging about their latest trips, no doubt. You sigh, knowing full well you’ll probably never see any of these destinations personally. Looking at the postcard pictures is the closest you’ll ever come.
One envelope is postmarked Butterfly Island, from a pegasus noble named Star Catcher. Before you can toss it back in the bag, the seal comes undone and the letter inside flitters toward the ground. You catch it before it can join the circulars swirling around in the breeze. You look at the now empty envelope.
Skywishes
1685 Wishing Well Lane
Canterlot
The letter is addressed to a mare on your route. She’s rarely home during the day, so you’ve seen her once or twice, but haven’t met her.
You’ve heard of Star Catcher. She’s a noble in the House of Hurricane, a descendant of the legendary pegasus commander. Her home isn’t on your route, so you’ve never even seen her, let alone met her. Curious, you read the letter with interest.
My dearest Skywishes,
They say that Butterfly Island is one of the prettiest places in Equestria and it’s true. But these tropical beaches can’t hold a candle to you, the prettiest mare in all of Equestria. It’s lonely here without you. Being away from you for so long has made me realize that I never want to be away from you ever again.
My trip should be over soon, and the good news is I finally found the perfect ring for you. We can finally make it official! Will you marry me?
Hope to hear from you soon!
Love you forever and ever,
Star Catcher
You stand there, stunned, for at least a minute. You’ve worked for the postal service for years, and you’ve never heard of anypony proposing by mail before. It would be the perfect opportunity to get revenge on a noble.
[CHOICE]Do you take your frustrations out on a pair of ponies you don't know?
No. (hero)
No, but it couldn’t hurt to have a little fun at their expense. Seriously, who proposes in a letter? That’s putting more faith in the Equestrian Postal Service than anypony really should… (chaos)
Yes. (Villain)
Where did that thought even come from? You have a job to do, and you’ll do it with pride, just like every other day. Through wind, rain, sleet, snow, and entitled nobles.
You put the letter back into the envelope and trot back into the post office. You tape it sealed, and drop it back into the mailbag to deliver. Noble or not, Star Catcher has never wronged you, nor have you ever heard of her being rude to anypony else.
Author's Note
Story notes: https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1033976/story-notes-wayward-mail
You smirk as you trot home with Star Catcher’s letter. For once, you have an opportunity to make a noble pay dearly. It doesn’t matter that she’s never been mean to you, personally. She’s a noble, and all nobles are awful.
Once you’re home, you grab a clean sheet of paper and put it over the original document. The paper’s not transparent, but the ink is still barely visible below the fresh sheet. You trace some of the letters, making the document read as follows:
It’s over, Skywishes. I never want to hear from you ever again. Leave Canterlot forever.
It’s short and to the point. You place the fraudulent document into the envelope and complete your last delivery for the day with a smile on your face.
Author's Note
Story notes: https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1033976/story-notes-wayward-mail
You smirk as you trot home with Star Catcher’s letter. It’s been a rough day and you just feel like causing a little mischief. If Butterfly Island would be better with Skywishes, well, why not extend an invitation on Star Catcher’s behalf?
Once you’re home, you grab a clean sheet of paper and put it over the original document. The paper’s not transparent, but the ink is still barely visible below the fresh sheet. The tricky part is making the letter say what you want it to say with what words are available. You’re not a forger, so you trace Star Catcher’s words and letters, doing your best to get your point across within the constraints of available characters. The lack of ‘j’ and ‘k’ in particular is disappointing, but you make do.
My dearest Skywishes,
They say that Butterfly Island is one of the prettiest places in Equestria and it’s true. But these tropical beaches can’t hold a candle to you, the prettiest mare in all of Equestria. It’s lonely here without you.
Come here now, I need your company. I can’t wait another day. Hurry, my trip will be over soon.
Love you forever and ever,
Star Catcher
You chuckle as you seal up the envelope. You’re doing Star Catcher a favor, really. Why propose by mail when you can do it in person?
Author's Note
Story notes: https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1033976/story-notes-wayward-mail
