Derpy was jumping on a cloud, watching Rainbow Dash put up banners for Applejack’s send off for her rodeo in Canterlot.
Derpy didn’t know a lot about rodeos, but it seemed obvious even to her that Canterlot wasn’t the right city to have one. Still, Applejack’s offer to donate the money she won in the events to help repair City Hall was very generous, especially given how much work her own farm needed.
City Hall would have already been repaired if Derpy hadn’t lost the letter to Princess Celestia requesting government assistance, something that she couldn’t admit to having done out of fear of losing her job. And here Mayor Mare just thought that Princess Celestia didn’t care about the small town to have not received a reply yet.
A stray lightning bolt singed Rainbow’s tail, causing her to frown.
“Careful Derpy.”
Derpy continued to jump on the cloud while pondering the damage to City Hall.
“I just don’t know what went wrong.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes at Derpy as lightning struck her as well from her excessive jumping.
“Yeah… it’s a mystery.” Rainbow replied with heavy sarcasm.
Derpy wasn’t sure what to make of that, so she decided to at least attempt to patch things up with the cross mare by complimenting her work.
“Good job, Rainbow Dash!”
Bumping a support beam and sending it tumbling down wasn’t part of the plan.
Rainbow tried to stop it from causing another hole in the roof of the building, but she wasn’t strong enough.
Derpy looked down at Rainbow through the new hole in the ceiling.
“Are you okay, Rainbow Dash?”
Rainbow flew back up and grabbed her by the withers. “I’m fine. For the love of Celestia, just sit there and do nothing. Okay?”
Derpy nodded. “Okay.”
Derpy pondered that statement.
I love my Princess… And I would like to earn her love in return… So, of course I will sit here and do nothing.
Derpy sat down on the roof of City Hall and watched the sun.
She watched it all day.
Applejack left town and the ponies wished her well and yet… Derpy continued to sit.
She got thirsty but didn’t move. She got hungry but didn’t move. As the sun set and the moon rose, Derpy had a thought.
Maybe Celestia would love me if I loved her sister’s night…
At some point, she fell asleep watching the stars, having never moved from her spot…
* * *
The next day, Mayor Mare sought out Rainbow Dash.
“Dash! I need to speak to you…”
Rainbow flew down from the cloud she had been napping on. “What’s up, Mayor?”
Mayor Mare sighed. “Derpy never showed up for her shift to deliver mail yesterday and nopony has seen her enter or leave her home in 24 hours. As the fastest flyer in Equestria, can you please try to find her?”
Rainbow saluted. “I’m on it. You can count on me.”
Rainbow took off but didn’t get far as she spotted Derpy on the roof of town hall.
Rainbow landed near her. “Derpy! Ponies are worried about you! What are you doing here?”
Derpy woke up with a wince. “I’m waiting for the princess’s love. You told me that for the love of Celestia, I should sit here and do nothing. So, I’ve done just that… but I’m hungry and thirsty.”
Rainbow didn’t know what to say. “I didn’t mean that literally…”
Derpy protested. “But you said it! And I want my Princess’s love…”
Rainbow didn’t know what to do so she did the only logical thing… she brought Derpy some food and water.
Derpy ate like a starving mare and drank like it would be her last, but she sighed.
“Thank you for letting me wait for the love of the Princess…”
Rainbow nodded as she proceeded to deliver the mail for Derpy, unwilling to talk her out of her vigil. As night fell again, Derpy fell asleep again watching the stars and waiting for Celestia’s love…
* * *
The next day… Rainbow flew across town and spotted Derpy on the roof of town hall for what would be the third day in a row. Even at a distance, Derpy looked thin and unhealthy, barely eating or drinking, and not sleeping properly.
Rainbow brought her more food and water. Derpy ate… but with less enthusiasm.
“How much longer until I receive my Princess’s love?”
Rainbow winced. “I don’t know. Maybe I should write her a letter for you?”
Derpy looked up. “You would do that for me? But who would take it to her? I can’t even fly now, I’m so weak…”
Rainbow stood up, strong. “I’ll write the letter and deliver it personally. You have my word…”
Derpy hugged Ranbow, but it felt weak. “Thank you, Dash. You are my favorite pegasus, but I still need my Princess’s love…”
Rainbow nodded and flew to Canterlot as quickly as she could.
* * *
Morning Court was as boring as ever until Celestia heard the calling of the next petitioner.
“Next pony… Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty, to see the Princess…”
Rainbow Dash trotted forward and Celestia got off her throne to meet her halfway, hugging her.
“I always welcome an Element of Harmony into the court. What can I do for you?”
Rainbow winced into the hug. “I bucked up and I need your help…”
Celestia drew back. “Oh? How can I help you then, Element of Loyalty?”
Rainbow explained. “I told Derpy Hooves to sit and do nothing… for the love of Celestia, to prevent her from doing more damage to town hall in Ponyville but she took it literally. She hasn’t moved from the roof of the town hall in 3 days, admiring your day and Luna’s night, but waiting for your love. I’m afraid that nothing I can say will fix this…”
Celestia nodded. “So, I need to visit Ponyville. Thank you for this rare chance…”
With a flash of magic, both Celestia and Rainbow disappeared from the throne room.
* * *
Celestia and Rainbow reappeared over the roof of Ponyville Townhall.
Derpy looked up and her eyes widened. “Princess Celestia! You’re here…”
Celestia giggled. “Of course, my little pony. Your love for me hasn’t gone unnoticed and now I am here to comfort you.”
Celestia walked forward and nuzzled Derpy, giving her great comfort.
Derpy sighed. “I love you so much, but I didn’t know how to show you.”
Celestia nodded. “I love all of my little ponies so your love for me is to be expected, but you don’t have to do anything extra to earn it. I will love you forever, like I do everypony else.”
Derpy sighed. “So, you want me to get back to work?”
Celestia smiled. “Yes… the mail is a very important task and who better to do it?”
Derpy cried at the praise. “But I lose letters! Town hall needs repairs, but I lost the request. I don’t deserve your love…”
Celestia smiled more. “It was brave of you to admit that. I swear that the town hall will be repaired. I just need you to acknowledge my love and return to work, after eating lunch, of course…”
Derpy hugged Celestia extra hard… “Of course, Princess… anything for you.
* * *
