Last Stop on the Mail Route

It's Wednesday -- two days after my last talk with Redheart. A week and two days since I started working with Rarity, and closing in on a month of dating Derpy.

Finally managed to actually write something back to Tia; Redheart said I likely started slacking because I had so much suddenly going on, but I don't think that was it. Personally, I think it was having both Tia and Luna in my dreams, when I was hiking to the mountain kind of reset my 'Oh I should send her a letter' internal countdown.

Either way, it was a pretty fat letter. Three pages worth, actually.

First page for talking about what I've been up to generally and how things are going, responding to her last letter about how they can't (or won't) send me to the Moon. Luna says it's an unpleasant experience; as the Pony that actually went there, I'll trust her word on it.

Second page, I talked about my new job working with Rarity, and how things were going with Redheart. Not a job I ever saw myself in -- because it wasn't even a job I ever had sitting on the mind, until I came here.
Bi-weekly visits too, now, but I had a feeling that Tia was already being sent my check-up reports. Princess Sunbutt was full of... playful subterfuge? Clever, or devious, depending on what she was up to exactly.

Third page, I talked about Derpy, and Dinky. How things had progressed between us, how Dinky started coming over after Derpy and I got along well, until we got a lot closer. I told Tia I figured out why Ponies don't wear clothes often; Derpy in a dress was far too lethal for my day-to-day heart. Ended the page with a tidbit about Twilight, and the others, noting how I'm still getting along with them -- and even made some Griffon friends.

Left a little P.S for Luna, telling her that since I was working with Rarity now, maybe I could try to remake one of my old Uniforms for her. She seemed smitten with the thing since she saw them in my last dream, and I had some lingering questions about magic and level 3 plates.

I didn't talk about the mountain thing. If they ask, I'll answer; but they're celestial-body moving Princesses. If they want to know, they'll find out. I knew that mostly thanks to Luna.

Tia liked the playful, "I was never even involved but knew everything" approach. That's part of the reason we got along so well; my alien attitude and her secretive playful side lead to some enjoyable pen palling.

Luna was... well, I think she's keeping an eye on me. I've got a few guesses as to what's going on exactly... either she's watching me through the shadows, or sent one of her Bat-Pony things to keep an eye on me, or... something.

You spend 8 hours a day staring in the same direction, every day, for months on end; you spend 8 hours sitting in a hunting blind watching the same treeline for the hint of an antler... either you phase it all out and notice nothing, or start noticing every little flicker.

Somethings been sticking to the shadows near me, wherever I go. It's not limited to the floor either, which is why I assume it's a Bat Pony, if it is something physical, and not a spell. I've heard about... fuck was it, a Thestral? They're way used to sneaking around, on account of being dogpiled on by the big three tribes during Lunas trip to the moon. Never seen one before, and that's probably because these Ponies had some serious hate in their hearts.

Yet another racist Pony moment. Stripes, Bats -- what else? It was hard to be surprised anymore.

Either way, it seems go stop following me around the times that Luna gets active; namely, night. Once I'm shacked up in my house, late-evening, it slips away. I doubt its heading all the way back to Canterlot, but I'm pretty sure those things are nocturnal. Which means that poor bastard is stuck sleeping at night; that, or Luna is spending her days watching me, which... wouldn't bode well for her. I think it's a lackey.

New shadow friend aside, I've got the day off. Rarity has a Spa-Date with Applejack, the two apparently try to meet up every month or something for it. Since they couldn't make it the last several months, they'd both managed to plan around an all-day-make-up spa and relaxation day.

I'm a helper, so no point in me running the boutique while she's gone, either. Fine by me; I'll take a day off.

Well, as much as you could consider 'Sitting on a couch while four Fillies planned to stage elaborate accidents they could save local Ponies from to get their Cutie Marks' a day off. Nice, warm midday, few clouds in the sky, sprawled on my own furniture with a cup of coffee in hand. And the Fillies are just running with it.

"Apple Bloom; how are we even going to get a Piano up two flights of stairs?" Bell face-hoofs. They'd gone straight to cartoon logic.

"Well ah' don't hear you offering any ideas!" Bloom huffs, turning away and crossing her hoofs.

"What if... we got a cloud, put a bunch of stuff on it, went up high with it, and started dropping it down? Then one of us could warn the Ponies below, and boom! Accident-Saver Crusaders!" Scoots offers. The other three Fillies look at her like she's a genius.

"Who's getting the cloud?" I ask idly, sipping my coffee.

They glance between each other, all eyes setting on Scoots. She gives her little wings a little flap, and the group sighs collectively; no way they could convince someone to get them a cloud without questions. Back to the drawing board.

Oh, I was probably a terrible influence on them. Sure, I helped iron out their ideas so they wouldn't meander into trouble; but if they had a particularly disastrous plan that I thought was funny enough, I don't think I could foresee myself telling them not too. It'd be funny, after all.

With Rarity and Applejack busy taking a day off, the farm was busy doing the opposite, evidently. To avoid the chance of getting shackled with chores, Apple Bloom escaped here, dragging Sweetie Belle along. Something about how if their sisters were hanging out, then they should too.

Dinky and Scoots were already here when they'd arrived, conveniently enough to ask me if I had seen them. And now my living room was packed full of them. At this point, it's just the norm. I've gotten a few odd looks and questions about it, but any outright questions to my character or intent got shut down hard by Applejack, Rarity -- and Derpy, actually. Seeing her stand ground for me too threw the few locals that took issue it for a hard loop.

Never had kids myself, but... yeah, I'd drop somebody for these little shits. They made my day.

... Right. I already did.

I started expecting them over at this point, too. Been buying them little snacks or whatever when I hit the local shops, got a little stockpile in the bottom drawer of my pantry cabinet just for them; right now, they were decked out with juice-boxes and a little plate of sharable treats, crackers and chips and whatnot.

Now they're talking about turning the nearest tree in my yard into their new, forward-operating treehouse. They may or may not be slowly getting taught my earthly service lingo, because I also thought that it'd be funny.

I'm simply soaking in bemusement, as I feel Dinky poke at my side several times.
I sip louder, pretending to ignore her.

"Mister Mussssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss-" She drones on and on. Damn, she's got some lungs on her. "-ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss" She persists, keeping that same monotone drag. I finally fold.

"What's up, Dinky?" I finally relent, as if I had no idea she wanted my attention.

She points towards my clock, sat on the edge of the fireplace mantle. Oh, shit -- it's almost time.

I ruffle her Mane. Good kid. She grins at me, spurred by the knowledge that she knew better than me in this scenario.

"Off the couch, girls." I call out. I get a few confused looks, but Dinky hops right off, sitting on the floor. The other three follow suit, watching with interest.

Coffee in hand, I meander to the window, unclasp it, and open it wide. I lean back slightly, stretching my back until I hear the distant flap of feather, familiar wings.

Three.

Two.

A fluffy grey mass of bubbles and blonde bombs through it, slamming into the same spot on the couch she always does. Only got to two -- she's early today.

We have a system where we Use Dinky as an intermediary. The Filly has an uncannily good sense at figuring out where her mom is, be that if she's working at the Post Office near the Train Station, or where she is if Derpy's working her route. That includes Dinkster figuring out when she's about to bomb my couch through the window. It's not always the same time, either. I'm not going to pretend like I know how the mail system works in Ponyville, the packages get around either way.

Even when I'm not here, I try to leave the window open; she knows I'm either at home or working with Rarity, and checks both to spend a few minutes with me each day, since we only get Sundays together. Mostly small talk, where we sit very, very close to each other; and hopelessly flirt, planning what to do each Sunday.

Rarity is, thankfully, more than supportive of me taking a fifteen to spend it with my 'Marefriend', always gushing and drilling me for details when I get back in. A die-hard romantic, that one.

"Making good time?" I ask aloud, shutting the window again.

Dinky hops back up onto the couch, nuzzling her mom as Derpy gets settled, sitting proper, fixing her saddlebag and setting it on the table -- she's getting pretty solid with her landings. The Crusaders are slack-jawed.

Think this is actually their first time seeing Derpy swing by on her route to say hi. Woops, probably just gave way to plans to try window-bombing for Cutie Marks. That'll be a good one.

Derpy glances up, smiling -- before realizing she has a small, tri-color audience, on top of the usual suspects.

"O-oh! H-hi girls." Derpy clears her throat, looking bashful and throwing me a 'You could have warned me' look.

"Hi Miss Hooves!" Sweetir Belle beams, always the polite one.

"Woah! How did you DO that?!" Bloom and Scoot both exclaim, once their jaws remember to work. They share a know glance between each-other, nodding.

Knowing them, it's probably going to be my window they bomb through. I should clear a landing pad, set up blankets and pillows so I don't have smeared Filly on my floor.

Later. Bubble-Butt is here now; and I don't have her for very long.

I slump back down on my couch, Derpy's flank rubbing against my side as I sink into the cushion again. Me on the left, Derpy in the middle, Dinky on the right, facing the table, with the Crusaders surrounding it deep in discussion. The the Crusaders are already yapping about plans, Sweetie Belle incredulous about the plan; Bloom and Scoots only worry is how to get high enough to achieve a proper downward bombing angle, hashing plans to stack locally 'Borrowed' crates and barrels to make a platform. Then, about what floor of window, whose window, and who among them is the most capable of forming a cannonball.

Despite the initial embarrassment, it's quickly forgotten thanks to the Crusaders self-imposed distraction, and my sudden close presence; Derpy's quick to lean against me, one of her wings flicking out slightly as it nudges my back, tucking between me and the couch. I lift my arm over her shoulders, letting my hand drape down over her other side, pulling her close.

Even though she's been working hard, her fur is still delightfully soft, only matted a little where she'd been carrying her Saddlebags. I rake my fingernails back and forth over this slightly sweaty spot, and Derpy practically melts, getting an itch scratched she didn't even know she had -- she sighs softly, eyes half-closing, fully against me.

"Proud of you, bubble-butt." I softly plant a kiss on the top of her head, whispering.

She flusters, a silly little giggle escaping her. "For what?"

"I just think you need to hear it more, so you don't forget it." I mutter back, giving a little squeeze.

She rolls her eyes -- I think -- and sighs, feigning exasperation, shaking her head; but she holds me tighter.

Dinky is equally quiet, silently occupying the end of the couch, like a child that knows its staying up too late, so they stay dead silent; waiting to see how long they can go without being noticed.

I lean close, that adorable snout rising to hover only inches away from my face. She's got these adorable freckles that are a slightly darker grey than the rest of her fur. I'll manage to count them all, some day.

"Where were we last time?" I ask softly. Our conversations tended to get cut short with her tight schedule, so we'd often try to jump back into them and pick up where we left off. "We were going to try the French Toast I offered to do up this Sunday, right? Or had we settled on trying to make a Crepe?"

"OH!" She suddenly exclaims, an excited foot patting against my chest several times, excitement barely contained. "No, cancel that! Or, we can do it next Sunday after, or something, unless you want to still do it. I'd still love to, but -- you know what I mean. Just -- I'm sorry, I'm butchering this, but I just remembered."

Cheeky, quiet peck on the tip of her snout gets her stuttering to still.

"I know. Take a second, then get it out." I softly assure her.

She nods, taking a breath and forming her thoughts. She flashes me a sympathetic look.
"I... I need to cancel for this Sunday."

"Yeah, that's fine. Thanks for the heads up. What's going on?" I hum, goading the answer.

"There's a Educational Fair being hosted in Canterlot, and it's going to last the Weekend -- I just found out about it! One of the fliers in the mail I was handing out had an advertisement for it."

"Right. Clue me in on what that means?" I tilt my head.

"Oh -- like, um... several of the surrounding Schools, from Cloudsdale to Manehatten, to even Vanhoover -- and even the Universities and nearby Careers will be hosting tents and booths and stands! It's like a Festival, almost." She explains, though clearly her only source was the pamphlet.

"It's starting to click, now. We called those Career Fairs where I was from." I nod, tapping my temple.

Derpy nods. She was pretty excited about this, actually -- practically vibrating.
"I was going to ask my boss if I could cash in one of my sick days, and try to bring Dinky up there. I haven't used most of them, so I should be good."

"Touring some of her future options, like which University or Apprenticeship she'd want to take once she finishes school around here?" I field. Judging by Derpy's nod, I'm correct.

"Exactly! Obviously, I want what's best for her; but I want her to be able to feel out what it is she wants to do, and what that will require of her. And there isn't nearly as much choice around here... even if she doesn't pick anything, I think it'd be good to get her knowing what's available."

"Unless she plans to buck apples." I say with a sarcastic snort.

Derpy chuckles.
"I don't think she has the family lineage for that one, unfortunately."

"So you two'll be gone for Saturday and Sunday, if all things work out?"

Derpy nods, pursing her lips. Now that she's gotten the exciting news out of the way -- she thinks about me, and how I might feel about it.
"You're... alright with this, right? I don't want you to feel like I'm neglecting you, but Dinky..."

"Honestly, I'm kind of offended you're even asking my input; we've already talked about how Dinky is your priority. Cancel whenever you need; I just appreciate the heads up." I tease, tracing her side with my thumb. She's adorable -- but of course I'm alright with it. We'd talked about this. She sighs, nodding and leaning her head against my shoulder. My head, in turn, rests on the top of her head.

"When's the last time you went to Canterlot anyway?" I mumble through her mane. The smell of soap is faint; some kind of fruit scent, replaced with the light sweat of a partial days work.

One of her hooves idly and rhythmically taps my thigh in thought.
"...I used to have family in the area. I think... my Grandfathers funeral, when I was a Filly."

I squeeze her a little tighter, planting another kiss on her head.
"Never easy, seeing them go." I respond quietly.

She glances up at me, meeting my eyes. I think.
"Yours too?"

I nod. "Grandpop taught me most of what I know, until his age caught up to him."

She looks back down, the hoof that was patting my thigh now resting on it, to comfort me. I decide it might not be best to linger in a solemn moment, considering we both still had the rest of the day to tackle. If it was just us? Quiet end of the day? I'd hold her for hours in that sad, deafening silence.

"So, not quite sure what to expect when you head up there?" I field, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

"Yeah. Little nervous, mostly excited. Actually, a lot nervous. And a lot excited." She says, taking a big, calming breath.

"I visit now and then with Twilight, so I've been there recently." I explain, and she glances up to me again.

"Really? What for?"

"Oh, mostly bothering Tia."

"...Whose Tia? A friend?"

"Oh, Celestia."

"...Princess Celestia?"

"Bingo."

"The Princess Celestia?"

"She's my Penpal. Those letters you've been bringing me and mailing out for me for months; we keep up between swinging by for Tea."

She stares at me, eyes wide. Right, forgot being on a nickname basis with what was basically God Jr of this realm was a big deal.

"Alright, now I've got something to ask you." I mutter, giving her side a little poke.

"Y-yeah?" She reacts with a small squeak, snapping out of it.

"Want me to come with you? Not to intrude, if you wanted this to be a Dinky and You type weekend."

For a moment, she looks like she wants to beam; but a flash of guilt takes her face, glancing away,
"I... I couldn't."

"I'd pay my own way, obviously." I start, using a finger to tease her chin upwards, so she looks me in the face. God, I love that face. And I hate how sad those eyes look, so often as she digs herself into her own thoughts.
"I know you've got your own plans with Dinky; and I have no intention drawing you away from those to do something else. I've got the weekend free, too; so I'm only asking if you'd enjoy if I tagged along."

She looks up at me, conflicted. I've figured this adorable Mare has a problem with bits, but I want to make sure that this trip she's looking forward to goes well for her. She deserves it. But of course she'd have difficulty trying to ask someone to go and spend their own money to tag along on a trip they get minimal input on, basically to be a set-piece to a Mother and Daughter going to a Career Fair.

But I appreciated that level of empathy from her. She cared about others, and wouldn't ask unless she could cover things for me herself; which I would never ask her to do. So instead, I push my offer to join her, to happily be a background set piece that makes her smile when she glances behind her, knowing I'm still there. Seeing these two, happy? Shit, I think that's all I'm starting to want.

She glances back suddenly, looking to Dinky -- who's poking her fervently in her side with both hooves, nodding with such intensity her brain is probably rattling around in there. Derpy looks back to me, biting her lip pensively.

"Your plus-one, providing directions and company. Well, and I might buy you and Dinky dinner or something to woo you a little, but I think that's just a given." I whisper playfully, leaning close to press my lips to her soft cheek, kissing gently.

I feel hooves wrap up over my shoulders, and around my neck, pulling me in tight against the her as the kiss is returned; her plush lips to my lips.

"If you're sure -- and only if you're certain... I think we'd love that, Anon." She whispers back, smiling.

"Ooh, Rarity's gonna get a kick out of this. She loves this sappy stuff." I hear Sweetie Belle whisper to the others.