Last Stop on the Mail Route

Derpy

I feel... graceful, for the first time in a long time.

I can't remember the last time I got a chance to soar through the clouds like this.

I was worried, at first... but knowing Anon has Dinky, I trust him. I barely hear the Wonderbolt that's trying to instruct me; it's all coming back to me. I let my wings spread, crouching down and launching from the starting line.

My turns aren't perfect, and I'm not my prime speed; but I'm already pulling ahead of some of the other participants.

But I don't care about that. The smile hasn't left my face. This is... fun. Lately, has been fun. I can't remember the last time I had such a good time. Sure, I puff through the clouds that border the course once or twice while getting used to it, but I don't care.

Lap, after lap; it was hard to figure the course the first time, but by the second and third, I've got it plotted out. Sweep under the bend, hard bank left, and I can catch better speed when I pull it tight.

It's all clouds, up here. Nothing to bump into, other than other flyers; but I don't even feel like i have to worry about that.

My mane is flowed back, wings wide. I fly through Ponyville, sure. But I haven't flown like this in years.

A blue blur -- Rainbow Dash -- cuts in beside me, giving me an incredulous look, yelling something about how she's surprised to see me. I barely hear her-- seeing her kickstarts something in my chest. It makes me want to kick it up another gear.

The smile is wide on my face as I do, putting several hooves of distance between us; I glance back, seeing Dash grinning in realization. She kicks it up a notch herself, closing the gap.

We rip forward, soaring through the course again. Again. Again. She's faster than me; but my skills always been my control; my turns, keeping her from getting too far ahead.

Again.

The gap continues to close; she keeps glancing back, and the surprise on her face fuels me even more.

Again.

Another lap; the other participants have moved aside.

Again.

I'm not even counting laps at this point. I feel like a Filly again, like I just stepped a decade into the past.

Again.

Anon & Dinky

Well, if Dinky ever wants a career in HEMA, Historical Equestrian Martial Arts, she's pretty much got it in the bag. Kids got a personalized Pamphlet, and now a second hat, to sit on top of her loggers hat. A filly in two hats is a pretty funny sight.

I think this kids got a thing for axes, considering the little show she put on there, impressing the Pony present at the booth. Unlike the Logging booth, these guys were willing to let her take a swing. Not exactly sure how that lines up, but if I was a gambling man, I think I've figured out what her cutie mark is gonna be.

Apparently, Ponies had some viking-style ancestors; while that's just one facet of their history, it's the only one Dinky seems to care about. Funny visual, imagining the Filly decked in a hauberk, beard and axe, rocking a longship.

Derpy's been gone for... probably a good twenty minutes, maybe even half an hour. I need a watch. I'm glad, though; means she's getting a kick out of it. Five minutes my ass; and I'm happy about it. She needs that kind of release. She can stay up there all day, for all I care. I saw that excitement, that smile. I want to see it again.

"Mister Muss. Can I have an axe? What about a hatchet?" Dinky continues to pester; ever since we left the booth, she want's something viking-esque. I think she's a little young, but...

"...If I promise to get you one, and I teach you how to use it after school, you promise to keep interested in whatever scholarship or apprenticeship your Mom sets you up with?" I offer tentatively.

Dinky nods vehemently, almost losing her two hats.

"Alright, Kiddo. Our secret." I affirm, swearing her to secrecy.

"Will you teach me your... wit-ling, too?" She asks softly, leaning against my head.

"Sure, kiddo. Good use of the wood you'll chop. Remember though; our secret."

She nods again, slumping against the back of my head. She's staring up at the clouds, too, trying to catch sight of her mom.
"Thanks for coming with us, Mister Muss. Mom was real worried about this whole thing." She mumbles.

My little informant, back at it again.
"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. I don't really get it, but she says she wants to make sure that I get what she didn't get, or something. I dunno, she worries a lot and says stuff like that sometimes. This is fun, though!" She squeaks.

"You gotta stop airing out your moms dirty laundry, kiddo." I snort.

"I don't do anything with my moms laundry. Well, I help her wash it, sometimes. She has to use a heavy-duty detergent because she uses her uniform and saddlebag so much."

"...That's what I mean, Dinkster. Telling people stuff about your mom they wouldn't normally know."

"Oh, I don't! I only tell you because mom likes you so much. Like, really, really likes you. I saw her staring at the dress in her closet the other day, before she left for work. Remember the one she wore to the Cafe? She used to keep it in a box, but now she's got it in her closet again." She informs me, grinning. "Sometimes I even see her put it on, looking at herself in the mirror after work."

...Damn, okay. That got the heart going.

"...Your Mom likes me that much, huh?" I ask, trying to glance up at her. She just grins. This kid knows what she's doing.

"Alright. Now, what to do while we wait for your Mom..." I squint into the crowd, trying to give myself a distraction. Still a buttload of booths to check.

"What about that one? I think that ones for Unicorns, like Mom was saying." Dinky offers, pointing a few rows up. Canterlots Unicorn University.

"Good eye, kiddo. I think that's one of the main ones your Mom wanted you to get a look at. After we check it out, you want some ice cream or something?" I offer; I remember the Unicorn-focused University and Schooling stuff was important to Derpy. Can at least get a pamphlet or make sure the idea is firmly in Dinky's head.

"Okay! But -- Remember the deal." Dinky whispers, grinning.

...Maybe the HEMA thing wasn't the best idea. Well, as long as she doesn't get the Cutie Mark of a crosshair or a pair of axes or something, I should be good.

A wizened, older Unicorn in a robe sits at the Stall. Rather than a proper presentation or demonstration, or samples or some kind of game, he's simply sitting attentively, with a stack of pamphlets. Behind him, scrawled in glowing text, is a rolling description of the University, and some general info. It moves like the credits of a movie, fading out of existence once the words go too high; his horn glowing a soft blue, the words matching the hue. Neat.

He glances up as we approach, giving me an interested glance, before looking to the Filly on my shoulders. He's sat like a fancy little man, hooves pressed together like he'd have his fingers intertwined, if he had any.

"...Hm. Interesting." He hums as we pause in front of the table. "You might be the first creature I've seen to behold not a single ounce of Magic."

"So I've heard." I nod. "Not from around here."

"Oh? And what might you be?" He asks.

"Someone's already put scientific dibs on writing a scientific paper on me. Gotta wait for Twilight Sparkle's document to hit the science scene." I warn, holding up a palm.

Within like, the first week of my arrival, Twilight had asked if she could have exclusive rights to work on a paper that touches on my species, and my unique situation in Equestria. For free access to the library, I agreed. Apparently, she's already on a second book about the topic of 'Me'. Haven't seen a page of it myself, yet.

"Princess Celestia's student? She's known in the community for her... odd but well detailed projects. I look forward to her submission, then. However, until it is revealed; would you do me the slight favor of a few simple answers? On my honor, I shall not impeach her works; I am but driven by curiosity." He continues, looking at me expectantly.

I point to the Filly hanging on to the back of my head.
"Gimme help towards putting her in school here, and I'll answer whatever you want."

He purses his lips at the proposition.

"...Hm. I can see what I can do." He nods, extending a pamphlet towards me with his magic.
"This booth is to put awareness to the event the University is hosting tomorrow evening. While I can answer questions, the main bulk of the Univiersities efforts have been placed there, if she's interested in joining the ranks in her future."

I go to take the pamphlet, but a soft lavender glow yoinks it up towards Dinky's face, her own horn glowing. She peruses, making dramatic ho's and hums.

The University Unicorn looks towards her with interest.
"...She seems young, for such a proficiency. Is she yours?"

"Might as well be, with how much she hangs out with me." I snort. "No, Daughter of a friend; taking her around while she's busy."

"I see." He hums. "How active is she with her magics?"

"Dinky, what's the type of magic where you grab stuff?" I ask, tilting my head. The pamphlet shifts in the air accordingly.

"Teelee-kee-sneesis." She responds simply.

"That one. All the time." I relay.

The Unicorn unclasps his hooves, stroking his chin like he had a beard. Actually, I think he's got one of those little goat squiggly beards. Didn't see it until now.
"...I would heavily recommend she visit the Event, tomorrow evening. The careful manipulation of varied objects is no small feat, especially so casually for one her age." He echoes; though this time, his tone carries less of your average explaining salesman, and is tinged with more intrigue. "I'll... put in a word, but the rest will be on her. But, now, if you don't mind; those questions I had..."

I can feel Dinky puff her chest out in pride. I won't say it, but I'm pretty sure she's just looking at the pictures on the pamphlet.

Hello again, comfortable bench. Derpy's been gone for almost an hour. I don't need to be worried, because I just need to glance up at the Wonderbolts cloud-track. Now and then, I see a peek of a speedy grey hide; almost keeping pace with a rainbow-colored blue hide. Every time there's a gap between them, they hit one of the rounded edges of the cloud, and she banks the turn hard, catching right up. I knew she was fast, but damn. I really think she could've gone pro. Maybe years of dodging things around Ponyville has been a latent form of training, or something.

Could make a movie out of that, honestly. Underdog Mail-Mare catching her stride again.

Dinky is sat beside me, during one of her rare dismounts, but for good reason. She's demolishing a very complex looking ice cream cone, and making a terrible mess. Good thing I grabbed near half their stack of napkins. Each bravely gives its life to stem the chocolate, fudge, sprinkle, cotton-candy mix that is her ice-cream abomination, before being discarded to the bin beside us. I swear, the ice cream stand vendor gave me a guilty look as he handed it over.

The treats around here are pretty cheap, thankfully. Wallet is holding out.

"So, Dinkster. Any of the booths click with you? Other than the one with Axes." I start, shifting to lean an arm over the back of the bench, leg kicked up again.

"Hmmmm...." She hums, sat on her little haunches. "The Griffons were cool! They reminded me of Miss Dina. Do you think I could be a Fisher-Pony?"

"Hmm... naval work like that tends to pay good Bits where I'm from, but it's not exactly the safest work, and doesn't have a high bar of entry for the lower positions. Maybe look into becoming a Captain of a fishing boat? That might make your mom proud." I offer, jostling my foot up and down.

My eyes roam over the crowd, the Fair still well underway. Somewhere in late-noon, we probably still had a couple hours before things started to wrap up for the day.

"My own boat? Hmm. I like that." She grins.

I think this kid would do well in a leadership role.

"What about instruments? Any of them interest you? I saw you liked that Cymbal stuff." I offer.

"Music was okay. I like listening to it, but they were kind of snooty." Dinky pouts. She was, unfortunately (for her, not so much for my ears), one of the Foals denied being allowed to try an instrument.

"Think Chef is in your future?" I recount, trying to remember what else.

"Food was fun... I like cooking with Mom, but I don't know of I want to do that as my job-job. My home-job, maybe." She muses, before taking an egregious bite of her ice cream. Farewell, three more napkins.

"You'd like to know how to cook, but not for a job?" I summarize, de-ice-creaming her face yet again, holding her chin so she won't move too much.

"That! Yeah!" She squeaks.

"Derpy and I could probably teach you on Sundays. We could do more than breakfasts." I offer. I doubt Derpy would mind, and I've been cooking for myself for years. I'm no Chef, but I can follow a recipe. "Plan out a different meal each week, make it with the three of us."

"Really?!" She beams, sprinkles all over her teeth.

"Sure. Check with your mom, though; and don't badger her about it. I want to make sure her Sundays are relaxing." I waggle a finger in her direction, before noticing a loose sprinkle on it. I flick it... somewhere.

"I don't know about relaxing, but Mom gets all giddy on Saturdays now, pacing in place in her room and stuff. I think she's more excited than me about Sundays." Dinky shrugs, taking another big bite. I should start naming these napkin mass-cas's, to commemorate the losses. Battle of Cones Crunch. Dairy Harbor.

Good to know Derpy likes Sundays as much as I do, though. I try to stifle the smile that creeps up on my face, thinking about it. No luck.