For This Moment, For All Time
Mayor Mare sighed as she stamped yet another paper and placed it on the 'out' stack. Ever since Twilight Sparkle became a princess, the paperwork had skyrocketed! And don't get her started on the crystal castle! So many out of town visitors to ask her questions or just to gawk. The paperwork! The Mayor took three papers and stamped them in rapid succession without looking at them. There have been times where it had backfired, but most of the time it worked out. The next paper was about an application for housing here in Ponyville from a griffin student. Mayor Mare groaned.
As much as she loved Twilight, the school might've been the last straw. At least Twilight had the decency to ask her for permission to have the school on Ponyville grounds, but how was the Mayor supposed to turn that down? The request came from a princess! A princess who saved Equestria more than once. Mayor Mare smiled tightly and gave consent. That smile turned a tad more genuine from Twilight's joyful expression as she rushed out the door to tell her friends. The month of construction gave her a massive headache, but she daresay, the money Ponyville had generated had finally gotten into the green even after all those weekly village demolitions.
The door bell jingled and the Mayor looked up from her brooding. A young fuchsia mare hurried in and apologized profusely. She said one of Professor Rainbow Dash's 'field trips' had her students running around Ponyville gathering 'awesome' supplies. She sheepishly gave me a caramel coffee as an apology. Mayor Mare thanked her and said it was fine. Just a normal Ponyville Thursday. The mare sat at the secretary's desk by the door and straightened her name card: Rolled Scroll.
She was a blessing, mind you. Ever since Mayor Mare applied all those years ago and her mentor retired, she had been all alone in the town hall. It was fine for many years, enjoyable even. Then the whole thing with Twilight Sparkle and the stress and paperwork started piling up. There were times where it got so bad that she even had to ask the cause of her problems to come and help. Of course, the sweet minded mare that she is, accepted and even said that she should call on her more often. Mayor Mare smiled and nodded, saying that she would.
Rolled Scroll came through that door one day, as a filly, and asked what she was doing. Mayor Mare accepted that distraction and gave a small rundown reserved for curious foals like her. What surprised the Mayor was that she came back the next day and the day after that until her cutie mark came. A rolled up scroll with a red ribbon forming a heart, not too dissimilar from her own. Surprising as it was, the Mayor was invited personally to be at Rolled's cuteceañera. Her parents then asked that when she became of age, if she could work at the town hall. Mayor Mare was hesitant but the adorable Rolled got up from her cake and pleaded with those big foal eyes. She relented and a few years later applied officially, just in time for Twilight Sparkle's coronation to sole monarch of Equestria.
Bless Rolled Scroll, but it wasn't her that kept her going. It was an entirely different mare from an entirely different city that captured her heart. It was that mare who inspired her to march on despite the insidious amount of paperwork. It was a mare who was as hardworking as she was sweet. Incidentally, the next paper Mayor Mare took off the stack was a letter. Not just any letter, otherwise that would've been sent to Derpy's post office. No, this one was addressed to her. Before she could stop herself, a silly grin manifested.
With hesitant hooves, Mayor Mare unsealed the letter and read it to herself. It read:
My dearest Mayor Mare,
I have managed to squirrel away time off for myself and by the time you receive this letter, I should be outside your door. I'll be waiting.
From 💋
The Mayor sighed wistfully as she put away the letter. The two of them were not strangers to work and respectfully allowed their positions in pony society to get in the way of each other. That made it all the sweeter when they did meet up. But, most of the times, when one was free, the other wasn't. Today appeared to be one of those days. She took another paper and skimmed it briefly before stamping it.
"Ma'am?"
She looked up, a little confused and annoyed. "Yes, Miss Scroll?"
"I've got this. You should go." Sweet Rolled Scroll put on a brave face and gestured to the door with her head. The Mayor chuckled a little.
"Ah, thank you dearie, but I'm not one to skimp out on duties. She understands." She stamped another paper. This particular one was a complaint about apple supremacy in the market. She stamped it as junk and organized it as such.
"Really ma'am. I mean it. I have to learn paperwork anyways and from your smile earlier, I think you need a break." There was a small tremor in her voice but her eyes were bright.
"Such rambunctious activities are meant for the young. Ponies like you. Old mares such as myself, we take it as it comes," Mayor Mare said simply.
"Then take it." The firmness in her voice surprised her. The Mayor looked up with wide eyes and inadvertently gave her her full attention. "I, Rolled Scroll, secretary in training, will take over due to Mayor Mare's excused absence. Now, as acting mayor, I command you to leave."
"...uhhh, you know that's not how it works?" Rolled flushed adorably. "I appreciate the sentiment, Miss Scroll, truly. But I don't think you're ready for the burden just yet and I really do mean it when I say that she understands."
The poor dear visibly wilted that the Mayor almost felt guilty. "Tell you what, if you truly want to learn about paperwork, how about you come work with me for today."
"Really?"
"Really."
***
A few hours later, the town hall closed. Poor Rolled was dead tired from learning the different organization systems, stamps, and how to discern the different papers and their intent. However, she went home with a curious glint in her eyes that made Mayor Mare smile. She chuckled at the thought and trotted home.
The sun was nearing the horizon when she stepped up to her front door. She smiled sadly when she noticed a small ribbon tied in a heart on the door. To her surprise, however, was the fact that the door was already unlocked. Curious, she poked her head inside and saw that the kitchen light was on.
She quietly slipped past through the doorway and tiptoed to the kitchen. A giggle threatened to burst through but she tampered it down as best as she could. Turning the corner revealed the love of her life humming a little ditty as she prepared something. Her groomed brownish-orange coat shimmered in the light. Her gold-blond mane was tied in a cute little bun. Her trademark magenta polo turtleneck was hanging over a kitchen stool. Ms. Harswhinny in all of her glory.
Mayor Mare glided across the floor as quietly as she dared before placing a hoof on her lover's shoulder and said, "what are you making?"
The response was immediate, Ms Harshwhinny shrieked, loud enough to shatter glass, and all but decked the Mayor. Poor Mayor Mare skidded across the floor and the house fell silent, save for the whistling of the stove. Mayor Mare stared at Ms. Harswhinny. Ms. Harswhinny stared at Mayor Mare. Both pairs of eyes were wide with shock.
"Good buck?" The Mayor offered weakly.
"Oh my Celestia! I'm so sorry! Here, lemme..." Ms. Harswhinny rushed over and helped her love up. "I'm so sorry! It's just, you scared me so badly. Oh Celestia...that's going to leave a mark..." She touched a tender spot and the Mayor hissed in pain.
"Ah...it's okay, it's my fault anyways. I shouldn't have snuck up on you like that." She reached out and gave her a hug. "I'm sorry."
The two hugged for a minute, then the giggling started.
"Ooooh, that was so dumb."
"I didn't know you packed such a buck!"
Both snorted.
"Me neither."
A pleasant silence filled the kitchen as the two held each other.
"Say, what were your plans for us tonight?" The Mayor asked.
"I was thinking of a picnic under the stars."
"Sounds romantic, let's do it."
Ms. Harswhinny got up and offered a hoof to the Mayor. She accepted gratefully and was pulled up. The love of her life then whipped out a picnic basket and packed the daisy sandwiches she was preparing earlier into it. She gestured to the front door with a smile to which Mayor Mare responded with a quick peck. The two filed out and trotted to the outskirts like they had all the time in the world.
They meandered through the empty streets and past lit houses filled with laughter or pleasant chatter. Past Sugarcube Corner and Carousel Boutique. Past the Town Hall and the preserved remains of the Golden Oaks Library. Past the Post Office and past Sweet Apple Acres. Then, they finally came to a stop on a quaint hillock.
Mayor Mare got out the picnic blanket and spread it out whilst Ms. Harswhinny got out the food and plates. She then surprised the Mayor with a fancy candle before lighting it. She hoofed over a sandwich and munched on her own. Mayor Mare sighed contently and eased herself onto her back.
"The stars are beautiful, aren't they?"
"They really are/"
A pleasant silence.
"I quit my job."
"What!" Mayor Mare bolted upright and stared wide eyes at her love. "The one in Manehatten? But that's your dream job!"
"Was my dream job. I have a new dream. One that I spend with you."
"ah..." Mayor Mare was speechless. A faint blush heated up her cheeks. She turned around, if only to compose herself. Then a simple answer came to mind. "I think I would like that." Her shoulders relaxed as she eased back onto her back.
Ms. Harshwhinny wiggled closer to the Mayor who wiggled even closer in response.
"To our new life."
Mayor Mare snorted. "We're old."
"Okay fine. To our old life."
"Cheers." The two mares tapped their sandwiches together and giggled. Their gazes drifted to the beautiful night sky and dreamt of what the future might bring.
Author's Note
Dude, i have no idea how to write crackships. I hope I did good, lol.
