Benjamen,

I would be a liar like you if I wrote that I was not at least mildly upset with you when I first learned of what had actually happened. It's rather strange how you claim to trust me, yet you would deliberately lie to my face; I question how much of what you told me might have been truth and what was simply convenient fabrication to further your own goals. I have trouble even understanding why you would do this. Did you even proofread what you wrote to me? "Personal defense weapon?” Is that not a complete oxymoron to you? You could also consider making a combustion-powered air purifier or body odor scented laundry detergent. You could even lie to me and get me to help you make them again!

It seems Spike is insisting on butting in on my business right now. He keeps telling me to ease up a little bit and to give you a break for what you did. "I would have done the same thing if I was in his position," he states, "And he was just doing what he thought he had to so he could protect his friends." Why lie to me though? "Would you have helped him if he had told you why he really wanted it?" Yes, but not in that way. I would have helped you figure out what was going on and come to a more reasonable solution than making a crossbow to shoot my assistant with. Why is he even on your side here? You boys are being so complicated! Is this a human and a dragon thing, or are all males this difficult to work with?

I suppose he does have a point, but I am just really hurt that you would deceive me like that. Maybe it does not mean much where you are from, but when you tell somepony that you trust them and then act with such duplicity, it is bound to leave a wound.

Everypony was glad to hear that you were okay, to say the least. While you were away, things in Ponyville became grim as we waited to hear of what would happen to you. Nopony could understand what you were charged with or why they were arresting you. Applejack came by each evening asking if I had heard anything yet, Rarity wore black for a day, and Rainbow was about to start a sleuthing expedition to hunt down the real culprit who framed you for what had happened. Once they knew you were alright, they started asking me if and when you'll be coming back. I've found it difficult to answer them so far because of the news I received from the Princess:

You are being sent to a new settlement in the works known as Songring to act as their Development Coordinator. First an ambassador, and now a Development Coordinator? That's quite an improvement from your job as a delivery boy back here in Ponyville. I'm starting to wonder if you'll really want to come back at all if these honors keep up for you out there in Canterlot.

This news is somewhat bittersweet, however. Your new position could mean that you are going to be away for a long time, not to mention that I have heard some rather unappealing stories about what goes on out there beyond the borders of civilization. I hope everything will go well for you in your new home of Songring while you complete your obligations to the royal court. You will write to tell me and everypony else how you are doing out there, won't you? I hope that you will be able to come back soon.

I also have to ask: Why do you call her Sugarlump? Is that a pet name? If I'm intruding on your personal business by asking this, please let me know, but does this by chance mean you and she have something going? Just curious of course.

Your associate,
Twilight Sparkle

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I am afraid that there is not much more I can write in defense of myself on the issue which has left you feeling hurt. The only thing I wish to write of it is that I am sorry that I did it, and that I believe I have much still left to learn. Where I am from, some might find my willingness to defend those close to me an admirable trait, and I am sure that my means would simply be forgiven there as “necessary evils.” You'll probably find that to be an impossible concept as well, I'm sure. I still regret causing you grief with my actions and can only hope you will understand that these concepts of mine that are alien to you have always been common and familiar to me. I am doing the best I can, but there is a saying about an old dog and new tricks.

I am glad to hear that everyone in Ponyville has not forgotten me. I realize that this letter may be quite late, but we have had no form of consistent contact with the Sun of Chance, and not until this week did a courier arrive for the first time to deliver and receive our mail. The fact that it has been nearly a year since we had contact with the Sun of Chance might be a rather accurate indicator of just how well things have been going here. Songring is located on the Southwestern shoreline of the Light Waters, a rather long distance away from any other form of civilization, and this has translated into some difficulty in obtaining necessary supplies and maintaining communication.

My first year here in Songring has been complication after complication to be completely honest, and all of it spent with a wonderfully frustrating cast of individuals. Let me see if I can capture the essence of why they have been a rather irritating group to work with. There is a young, dark stallion by the name of Overcast who likes to stay on my heels and speaks with the same general optimism of a death row inmate. Willow is a carpenter pony with some sort of nervous disorder, from what I can tell, that makes him very excitable and more often than not aggressive (even though he is a wiry guy). We have some sort of strong-but-silent farmer pony named Springfield, a mute miner, a spineless jeweler, a rambling fisherpony named Salmon, and then the greatest offender among them: A belligerent pegasus named Maple that more often than not refuses to cooperate and prefers to work inebriated (which means that the work is usually sub-par). These are only the first seven I was saddled with too! There has to be at least twenty ponies now that I manage here, and each one has his or her own complications. Despite all of their issues, however, I am starting to become familiar with them, and am either learning to appreciate the many quirks and find them endearing, or simply coping with them in my day-to-day life.

I have a request for you to do a bit of research on something for me if you find you have time. Our settlement was saved by an individual that knew quite a bit about deicidian tribal bonecrafting. I have heard the term "Deicidian Ponies" , and have no idea what that refers to. Do you happen to know? I would appreciate any information you can give me on this, as it may end up being important if we indeed need to create more crafts of this type to fund the settlement's next visit from Sir Bullion's caravan.

As for your question about Sugarlump, I don't mind you asking because it is not as you think. I simply don't know what her name is! The only time I have heard her referred to, Whip Snap called her "Derps" and I can only assume that was an insult. When I asked what she would like to be called, she told me Sugarlump, so I just started calling her that to avoid complications. Seems that it gives the impression that we are close, doesn't it? If you know what her real name is, tell me, and I can finally refer to her properly.

Tell everyone in Ponyville that asks about me that I have you all on my mind still, and that I would much rather be back there than here. I am going to keep my promise of coming back to Ponyville once my obligations here are over with, but it seems it may take longer than I expected.

Tell Applejack that I finally have a few blisters on my hands from real work. I still don't think I'd be of any use as a farmhand over at Sweet Apple Acres, but I hope she can at least appreciate that a "Thinkin' Type" like me can get his hands dirty when he needs to.

It might make Rarity cringe at the thought, but you can inform her that I have had to make it through a whole year now with only two outfits to my name, and also that I do rather miss hearing her hum as she works in the evenings. It has been eerily quiet in my new office many times, and I often end up whistling mimics of the tunes I had become accustomed to hearing in her boutique.

Fluttershy would really enjoy it out here, I think. Let her know that we happen to have all sorts of creatures roaming the woodlands inland from the shore that we spot each day. It seems to mostly be badgers and rabbits, but each summer these huge reptiles called Tanks wander into view and graze on the trees nearby for most of the season. They are very docile creatures, if a bit of a hazard to our crops; you can walk right up to them and pet them if you want, but they will lick the salt off of you if you're not careful (trust me, it's not a pleasant feeling).

Is Rainbow Dash a part of that elite flying group she has been wishing to join yet? The Thunderbolts I think? If not, she needs to pick up the pace and start shaking the right hands. Hooves. Whatever.

I have struggled to think of a personal message to relay to Pinkie, and finally I came to the conclusion that I cannot come up with one. I don't want her to feel that I have not been thinking of her because that is not the case, it is just that she is so random that I am not sure what I could say that would interest her. I will state that we sure could use her talents around here sometimes, and that I might need her to meet with this pony named Overcast to teach him a thing or two. I don't know if he could handle that much cheer so quickly though: He might sprain the muscles in his face from smiling for the first time.

I dare to ask if the Crusaders have finally discovered their special gifts.

Lastly, I want to say that I really appreciate you sending me these letters,Twilight. You act as my one connection back to what I would say is the only place of comfort I know in this strange new world. I understand that you are still upset with me over what I did, but it would mean alot to me if you could give me one more chance. I'll probably screw it up too, and I'm already sorry for it if that's the case, but I want to try to be the friend I should be: Like the one you are to me. I don't know if this is too much, but I miss you. I miss all of you very much, and I hope you all understand that I would be there if I had a choice.

Yours truly,
Benjamen Prodder

Dear Benjamen Prodder,

How is my favorite little human doing these days? It has been a while since we last saw one another, and I figured now would be a wonderful time to check in and see how your current assignment is going.

Is everything going well there in Songring? Are you getting along with everypony? How is the scenery?

Please let me know what the state of affairs is in Songring, won't you? I have been worried thinking about how you must be doing out there on your first time away from home.

You can be comforted in knowing that I will be sending letters, much like this one, from time to time requesting a report on the status of the settlement, and of you. I have to have some way to keep an eye on your community service project, now don't I?

Always Here For You,
Princess Celestia

Dear Princess Celestia,

I would be flattered if the term” favorite human” actually held any significant meaning. Since I'm fairly certain that I'm the only one you know, being your favorite human is much like winning a 300 participant race where all of the other runners are imaginary. My enthusiasm is absolutely brimming at such a compliment.

Songring still stands with no thanks to be given to anyone but the residents that reside here. We have been struggling heavily with inadequate food and supplies, and a lack of sufficient tools to continue our daily objectives, causing a bit of stagnation and more than enough stress to go around. We had been anxiously waiting for our supply caravan this season only to discover that we were sent nothing more than a merchant expecting to turn a profit on our situation. Forgive me if my tone of writing might indicate that I am upset by this and by the fact that one of our settlers bartered off a priceless family heirloom of his just to make sure we here at Songring remained fed throughout the winter season. I apologize for getting my hopes up that we might receive a bit more consideration and help from someone who is supposedly "always there for us."

The state of Songring is that it is alive. That should be an adequate description for everyone who asks.

Please do not feel the need to expend much time and ink sending frequent letters for my sake. I will certainly find a way to endure a lack of correspondence. Perhaps the excessive amount of work that needs to be done here will keep my mind occupied while I wait with bated breath for your next insightful and oh-so-enjoyable request for a status report whenever you find the time to send one.

Indentured to be yours,
Benjamen Prodder