Books Are Heartwarming Things

Even after her failed attempts at magic before, Rosy had returned the next day with a determined grin on her face. There wasn’t a bone in her body that could possibly feel like giving up, and I had to give her credit. She wasn’t trying to stop magic altogether, at least.

Something bulged in her saddlebags, and I paused from my book organizing to look at her. “Good morning,” I said, the books still floating around the room. “What’s that in your bag?”

“I brought back the book my mom was reading, and she also gave me a book on magic that I could use here. She said it would ‘increase my chances of success.’” Rosy glared at the book on her left flank with a disgusted frown. “It’s an old book from when she was a filly; I don’t think it’s going to help.”

I shook my head and got the books out of her saddlebags with magic. “Nonsense. The book we were looking at yesterday is probably older than your grandmother, and it worked, right?” It didn’t on her, obviously, but it wouldn’t hurt to be optimistic.

I opened the front cover of Little Fillies so I could check it in, but a note fell out of it before I could do anything. Curiously, I lifted it and was surprised to find it was written by Sweet Cheeks. I read it carefully and hungrily.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I can’t thank you enough for doing all of this. Rosy and I appreciate it greatly. She hasn’t gotten proper education at a school, and you doing this is just wonderful. From what Rosy has told me, you must be a lovely and kind pony. I wish I could talk to you face to face, but in my current condition, that would be hard to do. Anyways, if you need a favor, anything at all, just send Rosy with a message and I will try my best. Thank you again.

With love,

Sweet Cheeks~

Moving the note away from my eyes, I gazed down at Rosy, who was trying to make an aura around a piece of paper. Something tickled at my heart, and brought a smile to my face. I must have looked like a total idiot, smiling like that, but it was only Rosy here.

Sweet had great hoofwriting and grammar, I had to admit.

I put the two books in their correct places, along with the rest of them. Rosy’s mother reminded her of a mortal Princess Celestia: caring and wise. I had a realization that Rosy carried so many of Sweet’s traits that it was a bit scary. I wanted a chance to meet her now.

There were suddenly enthralled shrieks coming from the other side of the room, interrupting my train of thought. I turned to Rosy to find a purple light around both the piece of paper and her horn. They were faint lights, daring to falter at any moment, but they were auras.

Rosy herself was a happy and energetic mess, hopping around. With all of her movement, the magic threatened to go away, but I didn’t say anything. We would work on focus later. This moment was too precious to ruin with my nagging.

“Rosy, you did it!” I exclaimed, trotting over to her.

“I know!” she responded, her voice high and squeaky from all of the excitement. “It’s kinda obvious!” It wasn’t used in a whiny way, thankfully. I might have needed another aspirin.

I continued, “Now all you have to do is learn how to lift the paper.”

The aura stopped, and Rosy stared at me, eyes wide. There was that pout again. I really shouldn’t have told her that part...

“You really had to remind about that, huh?” she demanded in a fussy tone before sitting down angrily and crossing her hooves.

“Oops.” My face reddened. Hers did, too, but more in frustration than in embarrassment.

There was a long, awkward and steaming silence until I decided to make her happy again. “Um, I saw that note your mom wrote.” I sucked at starting conversation.

She looked up. Her eyes were red and puffy. “W-what about it?” she insisted quietly. Even her voice was scratchy from the crying she was most likely doing. My heart fluttered inside of me like a frightened moth.

“Are you sure you’re happy about the lessons like she said?” I asked cautiously, taking a few steps toward her. “You haven't been acting it the last few days.”

She nodded, but I could tell she was lying. Living with Spike long enough had made it to where you could never fib in my face.

“Tell me the truth, Rosy,” I demanded in the softest voice I could manage, sitting next to her.

“I’m not lying!” If looks could kill, I’d have dropped dead right there. She was shooting icy daggers at me with her eyes.

I eyed her suspiciously.

“It’s not you that’s making me so upset!” she said with a sniff or two. “It’s my mom. She’s been worrying this past week. She hasn’t been doing as much as she has before, and can’t even walk into a lighted room without going into a bout of pain! It’s driving me crazy and pushing me out of focus!” The tears started rolling down her cheeks with no regrets. “I’m so sorry, Twilight,” she whispered.

I pulled her into a gentle grasp and began to stroke her mane. If her hair wasn’t pulled up I was sure it would be soaking with salty tears already. “Shh...” I murmured, bringing my mouth close to her ear. “It’s okay...” I wasn’t gifted with motherly skills, but I tried my best.

The sounds of her crying was what my breaking heart sounded like by now. I hadn’t met a filly who had been through something like this before. And she had kept it inside all this time without saying anything. I held so much respect for her knowing she had remained joyful up until this moment.

This lasted for a few more grieving minutes before she pulled away and rubbed her eyes. “Can... can we try levitation again, Twilight?” she asked with a smile.

Returning the emotion, I gladly replied, “Of course.”