"Spike," Twilight Sparkle called to her baby dragon companion, "I'm going to head out for a little while. Do you think you can watch the library with Aluicious while gone?"

"Sure thing, Twilight," Spike saluted, more than happy to fulfill his friend's request.

"Hoo," answered Aluicious from his perch.

"I won't be too long," the violet unicorn said as she gathered up a saddlebag and a few writing materials. "Try not to make a mess of things while I'm gone and don't fight with Aluicious, Spike."

"C'mon, Twilight," Spike grinned and rolled his eyes. "Me and Aluicious over here are like two peas in a pod? Isn't that right, Aluicious?"

Spike leaned onto the owl's perch, which collapsed beneath his weight and cause him to fall with it. Aluicious hovered above the dazed baby dragon as he collected himself off the ground.

"Hoo," Aluicious said as he perched himself atop Spike's head.

"You," Spike raised an eye at the owl. "Who else?"

A pair of large black eyes stared directly into Spike's as Aluicious bent over him and said, "Hoo."

Spike scratched at his spines in confusion.

"I don't think I'll ever understand owls," Spike shrugged.

Twilight laughed and bid them farewell as she faced another bright and sunny day in Ponyville. Today was a very important day for her, and she couldn't afford for any distractions. The first thing she had to do was find someplace quiet where she could be alone for a while. Sending Spike out to run errands would have only been a temporary fix to her current problem. Rather, Twilight would have enjoyed Spike's company had this been any normal task, but it wasn't. This was special, private, and very personal for her.

While the Everfree Forest was secluded, it was also very dangerous. If Twilight was lucky, maybe Zecora would know of a safer destination where she could spend her time. Twilight adjusted her saddlebag and began her trek towards Zecora's home and even that was taking quite the safety risk. The last time she had gone to visit Zecora, she had been petrified by a cockatrice and had to be saved by Fluttershy. An immediate mental note was made not to write that down when the time came. There was no need to worry them like that.

"I hope I'm not being decieved by my eyes," Zecora said as she exited the hut. "A visit from Twilight Sparkle is an unexpected surprise."

"Hello, Zecora," Twilight greeted her with a smile. "If you have the time, I'd like to ask you a question?"

"This question must hold quite a bit of magnitude," Zecora realized, as no sane pony would brave the dangers of the Everfree Forest for something trivial. "To send you away, with it unanswered, would be quite rude. Is there something wrong in Ponyville? Have your friends fallen very ill?"

"No," Twilight waved away her suspicions, "it's nothing as serious as that. I'm just looking for a place to be alone for a while. There's something important I need to do and I'd like to keep it as private as possible. Is there anywhere safe and secluded you could recommend?"

"If solitude is what you seek," Zecora answered with a laugh. "You're choice in location is rather weak. In this place filled with danger, I remain unsafe even in my home. No, it is better you find someplace else to roam."

Twilight was a bit discouraged by Zecora's response, though it was one she had somewhat expected. After receiving an apology and a new blend of tea from Zecora, Twilight returned to Ponyville. The Everfree Forest was a rather dangerous place, but something about the danger and mystery of it enticed Twilight. There were many creatures here that she had only read about, beautiful trees and flowers for her to admire, and a thrilling sense of adventure every time she journeyed its unmarked paths.

Since she appeared to be alone at the moment, Twilight supposed that taking down a few notes about the forest and Zecora wouldn't hurt. Her unicorn horn began to glow with magic, and her writing materials floated in the air before her. They would loving hearing about Zecora and the Everfree Forest. When Twilight and her friends had first met Zecora, she seemed as scary and dangerous as the forest she inhabited. Once they discovered the truth however, even the forest became less spooky. The calming sound of the quill scratching at the parchment was just the thing Twilight needed to put her in a more cheerful mood.

"Twilight?" Fluttershy called to her.

"Ahh!" Twilight jumped and lost focus on her magic.

"Oh my," Fluttershy placed a hoof to her mouth. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

Her writing materials scattered about the ground and she made a frantic attempt to gather everything back into her saddlebag. Fluttershy descended descened before her and tried to help by picking up Twilight's parchment. Twilight's eyes widened in shock at the thought of anyone catching a glimpse of what she had written. The moment Fluttershy's hoof touched the paper, she used her magic to roll it into a scroll and place it with the rest of her items.

"Heh, heh," Twilight flashed a nervous grin. "Hi, Fluttershy. It's such a lovely day out, isn't it? Yep, doesn't get any better than this."

"Are you okay, Twilight?" Fluttershy sounded a bit scared.

Seeing that Fluttershy was getting upset, Twilight did her best to calm herself and exhaled a deep sigh. Fluttershy hadn't read anything on the parchment, and even if she had it wouldn't have meant anything to her. Twilight had nothing to worry about.

"I'm fine," Twilight assured her, "I was just coming back from visiting Zecora. I guess I lost track of where I was and ende up here. Sorry, if I worried you."

"Not at all," Fluttershy smiled and pulled a package from her own saddlebag. "I was on my way back home myself. Angel has been on his best behavior lately, so I decided to get him a carrot cake from Sugarcube Corner. He'll be so delighted when I bring it to him."

Fluttershy cared a lot about those little animals of hers. Twilight supposed she would have to put that in her notes as well. If she was going to include her friends into her writing, then visiting them each of them would be the best way of collecting data. Fluttershy was already here, so Twilight decided to start with her first.

"I just got a brand new tea blend from Zecora," Twilight informed her. "Do you think it would be okay if I joined you and Angel for some tea and cake?"

"That sounds nice," Fluttershy flapped her wings with a pleasant smile. "It's been a while since Angel and I have had any company over."

They weren't far from Fluttershy's home, but the walk was rather awkward due to the silence between the two friends. Fluttershy was a quiet pegasus to begin with, and Twilight didn't want to risk having her current project brought up as part of the conversation. It wasn't until they were crossing the stream before Fluttershy's cozy abode, that a single word was spoken.

"Angel," Fluttershy called to him as she retrieved the carrot cake. "I've brought you a present for being such a good little bunny."

Angel's long white ears perked up with excitement from behind a nearby log and he raised his head to see what she had brough him. The sweet fragrance of carrot cake wafted into his nose and he hopped onto Fluttershy's back. Angel reach out as far as he could for the package, ravenous for its contents, but Fluttershy was quick to keep it away.

"You must be really hungry," Fluttershy noticed. "Let's get inside and I'll start the kettle."

Everything here was so peaceful here, that Twilight had lost all track of time. This would have been the perfect place to continue writing were it not for the present parties. The birds chirped away outside and Fluttershy hummed along with their cheerful tune. Angel had fallen asleep next to his empty plate and the tea had long been consumed. Twilight pondered over Fluttershy and what notes she would take down about her. Her kindness knew no bounds, and despite her shy demeanor, Fluttershy could be quite assertive when the situation called for it. She had driven a dragon to tears, after all.

Twilight wasn't sure how long she had stayed in Fluttershy's living room, and this realization presented the possibility that she had been there too long. A quick check of the clock told her that no more than an hour had passed. With a sigh of relief, she said goodbye to Fluttershy and apologized for not being able to stay longer. Twilight's search for solitude continued and she began to scratch a few more notes while she was alone. If it wasn't for the risk of bumping into any of her friends, she would have settled for writing while she trotted through Ponyville.

Ponyville was busy as usual. Eyes focused on her parchment, Twilight managed to arrive at Sugarcube Corner without so much as grazing another resident.

"Perfect!" a bubblegum pink pony, whose curled mane and tail were covered in confetti, leapt for joy. "Thanks for your help Rainbow Dash."

A large banner had been set over Sugarcube Corner's front door with the words "50% Off on all Cupcakes".

"Hey, Twilight," a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail greeted her upon descent. "What's up?"

"Hi, Rainbow Dash," Twilight tried to tuck away her quill into her saddlebag. "What are you two up to?"

"Sugarcube Corner is having a sale," said the bouncing pink pony. "I tried to put up a banner myself, but I was so excited I just kept falling into my party confetti. Luckily, Rainbow Dash swooped in to give me a helping hoof. Make sure to get all the cookies, cupcakes, and candies you can."

"Uh," Twilight began as she rolled the notes into a scroll. "Sorry, Pinkie Pie, but I have a lot to do today and I don't think I'll be able to."

"Like what?" Pinkie Pie gave the scroll a curious glance.

"Oh, you know," Twilight flashed a nervous smile and attempted to think of something plausible. "Just studying stuff."

"It must be super duper important if you're trying to hide those papers then," Pinkie Pie pointed out as Twilight sealed her saddlebag.

"Well," Twilight trotted along, desperate to make an escape. "It was nice catching up with you two again. Like I said, really busy, but maybe we can hang out tomorrow, okay? Okay. Bye."

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie looked confused as they watched Twilight break into a full gallop towards the library.

"What's her deal?" Rainbow Dash wondered.

Pinkie Pie shrugged in response.

Once Twilight assumed she was a safe distance away, she paused by a bench to catch her breath. She had to get out of there fast with Pinkie Pie getting suspicious. It would have been rather embarassing if either her or Rainbow Dash had read her notes. Before she could calm down, however, Twilight surveyed the area for any signs of Applejack or Rarity. They were the only two friends she had yet to visit and whose wherabouts were unknown. Not that her encounter with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie had been much of a visit in the first place. Twilight began to wonder if Pinkie Pie's "Pinkie Sense" would somehow give away what she was writing about. She doubted it, but when it come to "Pinkie Sense" you could never be to sure. Now that she thought about it, if Rainbow Dash really wanted to know what was in her notes, Twilight would have no chance of outrunning the Best Young Flyer in Equestria.

She would have to tell them about all of those things as well. A sigh escaped her. Rainbow Dash's bravery and confidence sure would have been helpful right about now. Then she wouldn't care who read the notes.The bench seemed to be the safest place to be at the moment, so she withdrew her writing materials once more and set to work. With her notes updated, her next stop was the Carousel Boutique. She hoped that Rarity wasn't too busy. Rather, it might be more in Twilight's favor if she was. Then she could study all she needed to about Rarity without having to get paranoid over her own scribbling.

The doorbell announced Twilight's arrival and Rarity, an ivory unicorn and fashion designer, welcomed her inside. Applejack, a bright orange earth pony, stood distressed in a luxruious ensemble of jewels and fabric. Rarity was always designing a new dress, but the pony to model it for her varied each time. Twilight admired Rarity's creativity. She had found a new appreciation for Rarity's vision after having Rarity style her a dress of her own. Applejack wasn't much for dressing up, however. Twilight could tell that Applejack would rather be working in her apple orchards rather than posing in the Carousel Boutique.

"How'd I get stuck doin' this for you again?" Applejack asked as Rarity began to trim away any loose seams.

"Every other pony was too busy," Rarity said switching out a pair of scissors with a pin cushion, "and if I don't have a live pony to work on, how will I know if the dress is breathable. You wouldn't want my business to suffer because I couldn't complete my work, would you? As a fellow business operator, surely you must understand my dreadful dilemma?"

"Well," Applejack winced as a pin pricked her side. "Ow."

"Oh," Rarity huffed and pulled away. "I'm sorry dear, but you mustn't move if you don't want to get pricked  again."

Applejack trembled with frustration for a moment and released a sigh to calm herself.

"Alright," Applejack posed with a frown, "but you owe me for this."

"I promise," Rarity assured her, "your tolerance will not go unrewarded. I'm sorry I can't be more hospitable Twilight, but I'm a bit busy at the moment."

"That's fine," Twilight curled up against the wall and withdrew her quill and parchment. "I've been looking for a quiet place to write all day and it's actually better if we're both focused on our work."

"Whatcha writin' there, Twi'?" Applejack asked, hoping a conversation with Twilight would put her in a better mood. "Workin' on some fancy new spell?"

"No," Twilight blushed and hugged herself closer to the wall. "I'm just taking some notes on the ponies of Ponyville. It's kind of private."

"You don't have to share it with me if you don't want to Twilight," Applejack smiled, unable to do much more. "I won't push the issue any farther."

"Further," Twilight corrected her under her breath.

"What was that?" Applejack cast her a confused glance.

"Nothing," Twilight blushed again.

"Please try not to move," Rarity implored her. "Applejack may not be curious, but I am. What would have the studious Twilight Sparkle so secretive? Especially if it involved the other ponies of Ponyville?"

"It's nothing really," Twilight averted her eyes from Rarity's and started to gather her things together. "Anyway, It's getting late and I should really get going."

"But the sun ain't even started goin' down yet," Applejack noted.

"And if I don't feed Spike before then," Twilight smiled as she blurted out an excuse, "he'll end up going to bed hungry. It was nice seeing you girls again."

"Goodbye, Twilight," Rarity said as she placed another pin into the dress.

The door slammed behind her as Twilight rushed out of the boutique, startling Rarity into pushing the pin a bit farther into the dress than she had planned. Applejack's eyes widened and she hollered in pain. Twilight gave a silent apology to Applejack as she made her way back to the library. With any luck, Spike would be down for his afternoon nap and she would be able to compile the notes into something more sensible.

"A tense muffin is a bitter pastry," a female voice sounded from above her.

Twilight looked upwards and gazed into the crooked eyes of Derpy Hooves, Ponyville's resident pegasus mail pony. While Derpy flapped her wings and continued to stare at her with a thoughtful expression, Twilight returned her gaze to the path ahead.

"Hello, Derpy," Twilight frowned.

"Vacationing too long under the body electric?" Derpy landed and began to follow her home. "Baked goods are meant to be split between rusty shackles. Sweeten those chains with glorius frosting."

"I'm really sorry, Derpy," Twilight tried to explain, "but I've had a really long day and all I want to do is go home."

"To pour its juices is the grape fizzle's desire, no?" Derpy's eyes showing her genuine concern.

"Why is everyone so interested in what I'm doing?" Twilight shouted towards the sky. "All I wanted was some peace and quiet so I could write my letter and-"

"Letter?!" Derpy raised her wings and aligned her eyes with enthusiasm. "Letter for Derpy?!"

Twilight slapped her hoof to her head and groaned.

"I haven't written it yet," Twilight informed her and watched Derpy fall into a depressed slump.

Twilight felt a pang of guilt rise in her chest and she continued with, "but since I'm going to need it delivered anyway, would you like to wait with me until it's finished."

Derpy's spirits rose and her smile returned as Twilight spoke. She nodded to say she understood and trotted along to the llibrary with Twilight. Derpy Hooves was an unusual pegasus to be sure, but her heart was in the right place. Or at least Twilight thought so. She wasn't sure. The two of them entered the library and Twilight checked to see if Spike was asleep. His snoring sounded from just outside the bedroom door and Twilight went straight for her writing desk. She was going to get this letter written and nothing was going to stop her. Twilight rose her quill and-

"Derpy is sorry," Derpy placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder as she gave her apology. "When a muffin is bitter, Derpy worries. Derpy only wants all the muffins to be sweet and tasty. All the muffins want the other muffins to be sweet and tasty too, I think. Derpy doesn't mean to make muffins bitter."

Twilight smiled and placed her own hoof atop Derpy's.

"I know you and all of my friends mean well," Twilight said and returned her focus to the parchment before her. "It's just that I'm not sure if I want to share this with everyone yet. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong, I just need some time to myself."

"Derpy," she paused and gave Twilight a warm and loving grin, "understands."

For the final time today, Twilight pressed the quill to the parchment and began to write.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I can't believe it's already been a year since I last wrote to the both of you. A lot of things have happened since I moved into my new home and I can't wait to tell you about them all. All of the adventures I've had, all of the things I've learned, and most importantly, all of the friends I've made...